North Carolina basketball standout Caleb Wilson, a highly-touted prospect projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA draft, has been sidelined due to a fractured left hand with no specific timeline for his recovery. The injury occurred during the Tar Heels’ 75-66 loss to Miami on Tuesday, as confirmed by the school in a recent announcement.
Although initial X-rays taken during the game indicated no significant damage, further imaging conducted in Chapel Hill revealed the fracture. The university stated that an evaluation is currently taking place to assess when Wilson might return to the court.
In the game against Miami, the 6-foot-10 freshman forward struggled, tallying a season-low of 12 points in 26 minutes. This season, Wilson has been a key player for the Tar Heels, averaging an impressive 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. His performance has set him on a path toward potential All-American honors and contention for several national awards. Wilson currently ranks fourth on ESPN’s Big Board of top 100 NBA draft prospects.
His injury comes shortly after a stellar performance against rivals Duke, where he scored 23 points in a thrilling 71-68 victory that had fans rushing the court. This win marked North Carolina’s first over Duke since the 2023-24 season, and the aftermath included controversy as Duke’s coach Jon Scheyer noted that some of his assistants were allegedly “punched” in the melee of celebrating fans.
This season, Wilson has become integral to North Carolina’s game plan, boasting a notable 28.5 usage rate, ranking him 97th nationally. Without him, the Tar Heels must navigate their offensive strategy as they currently rank second in offensive efficiency in the Atlantic Coast Conference, trailing only Duke.
Despite this setback, the hope remains that Wilson’s recovery will be swift, allowing him to return and continue his impressive season amidst growing expectations for his future in the NBA.