Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer reignited college basketball's fiercest rivalry Friday night, going head-to-head for the first time as pros in a thrilling NBA Summer League showdown. Memphis edged Chicago 97-96 at the Thomas & Mack Center, with Wilson dropping a blistering 35 points on scorching long-range shooting, and Boozer countering with 23 points of his own.
College Rivals Go Pro
This isn't just some random Summer League game. These two have history! Wilson, starring for North Carolina, and Boozer, excelling for Duke, were the centers of college basketball's nastiest rivalry last season. Their connection runs even deeper, all the way back to AAU ball where they played together on Nightrydas Elite and even snagged the 2024 Peach Jam title. But then they ended up on opposite sides of Tobacco Road, and man, did it get spicy! In their only college matchup, Wilson poured in 23 points with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block, while Boozer answered with 24 points and 11 boards. UNC barely squeezed out a 71-68 win on a buzzer-beater, snapping Duke's 10-game win streak. Fast forward to June's NBA Draft: Boozer went third overall to Memphis, and Wilson went fourth to Chicago. At his introductory presser, Wilson didn't hold back, embracing a lofty comparison. "I want to be the greatest of all time. Y'all got one of the GOATs in y'all history, so it's time for another one," he declared. Talk about setting the bar high!Boozer's Head Start, Wilson's Jitters
Boozer actually got a jump on the Summer League buzz. He kicked off his professional career in Salt Lake City, dropping 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on super efficient 7-of-11 shooting in a blowout win against Oklahoma City. He even punctuated his first pro possession with a two-hand dunk, off a give-and-go no less! Then he followed that up with an 18-point outing against Utah, hitting 6-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-5 from downtown. Through two games, Boozer was averaging 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds on a ridiculous 65% shooting. He showcased efficiency, playmaking, and that heady IQ, totally validating the pro-ready rep that made him a top-three pick. Wilson, on the other hand, arrived in Vegas still looking for his first taste of organized action in months. He admitted to feeling "jitters" in the days leading up to the trip, not having played in a live setting since his thumb injury ended his UNC season back in March. But Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter already saw something special in practice: "The size and the athletic ability is special. It's something you don't see very often."A Rivalry Rekindled
The game started with a bang. Wilson actually drew first blood, draining a three on Chicago's very first possession. You could tell right away the rust from his injury hadn't carried over to his shot, which was a bonus considering he only attempted 27 threes all last college season. But Boozer was having none of that, and he quickly took over, getting to work in the post and mid-range, flashing that touch that made him a nightmare cover in the ACC. He even drew a couple of fouls just by sealing his man and demanding position on the block. We just got a glimpse of what this rivalry looks like in the pros, and if Friday night was any indication, these two are gonna be duking it out for years to come. What's next for these guys? They're already setting the bar for this draft class, and watching them battle each other, every single time, is gonna be must-watch TV!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.