Caleb Wilson, the #4 pick, just exploded for 35 points in his NBA Summer League debut for the Chicago Bulls, setting a new record for most points ever in a Las Vegas Summer League opener. This was a player drafted primarily for his defense with offensive upside described as "down the line," so yeah, someone forgot to tell Wilson that plan. He absolutely blew up the box score against the Grizzlies, instantly making Bulls fans dream of playoff relevance again.
From Defensive Prospect to Offensive Juggernaut
Wilson's stat line was ridiculous: 35 points (with 21 of those coming in the second half, a game-high), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks, and a stunning 7 made three-pointers. For context on just how wild that 7-of-11 from deep performance was, the kid was 7-of-27 for his entire college season in 24 games at North Carolina. This Friday night game in Vegas was billed as a showdown between the No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, who showed his own variety with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, and Wilson. Let's just say Wilson flat out stole the show. He said he wasn’t shocked by his 3-point success, adding, "I've been working on it hard for a long time, so I mean, I'm not shocked at all." Bulls coach Tiago Splitter echoed the sentiment, noting, "He shot the ball well, of course. I mean, in college, he didn't shoot like that, but tonight he was he was effective, and he kept shooting."More Than Just Points: Athleticism and Heart
Beyond the record-setting scoring, Wilson showcased the high-level athleticism and craft that had the Bulls jumping for joy when they drafted him. One of the biggest highlights of the night was a crazy chasedown block on a layup. Wilson totally owned up to what led to it, saying, "I turned the ball over, trying to be trying to be sexy, and then, I mean, you gotta make up for it. I knew I can't get I can't turn over and give up a layup, and athleticism will make up for that almost every time. So I just had to go do what I had to be done." But the night was also deeply personal for Wilson. He hadn't played in five months due to an injury that robbed him of the end of his North Carolina season. "Honestly, like I cried before I played today," he revealed. "I've just been really emotional because I haven't been able to play, and I felt terrible because my team lost in the tournament and my coach got fired. It just was a lot for me at that point. So coming out today, just felt like I've been waiting so long for this opportunity." Yeah, it’s just one Summer League game, and Coach Splitter is already reminding everyone it's a "long road" and to "be patient with everything." But man, after five months off and all that emotional weight, Wilson stepped out and delivered something nobody expected, proving he's been putting in the work. You gotta wonder what he's going to do next out there in Vegas.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.