Washington Wizards select AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft rolled around Tuesday night, with former UNC superstar Caleb Wilson projected as a highly-anticipated lottery pick.

When the fourth overall selection rolled around, Wilson became a Chicago Bull, following in the footsteps of fellow North Carolina alum and NBA GOAT Michael Jordan.

Wilson quickly rose to collegiate basketball stardom early during his lone season in Chapel Hill, giving the Tar Heels that difference-maker they needed to contend in a much-improved ACC. Wilson ended his season averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, with double-doubles a commonality.

Two separate injuries prematurely ended Wilson's season, but long after he proved himself as a future NBA Draft pick. Analysts debated Wilson's projected selection heading up to the Draft, with debate he could overtake fellow lottery picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer, but Chicago is the best possible landing spot for Wilson.

With highlight-reel dunks, a strong rebounding ability, lockdown defense and versatility to play anywhere 1-5, Wilson is NBA-ready. He should start for the Bulls from Day One, who need all the healthy talent they can get.

Wilson played power forward at UNC, a position he likely splits time with Patrick Williams in Chicago. ESPN lists Matas Buzelis as the Bulls' starting small forward, but their 2026-27 roster is only starting to finalize with Wilson's recent selection.

Pay attention to when Wilson's debut NBA jersey is released, which will be a hot ticket. For now, let's take a look at how social media reacted to Wilson's Draft selection.

It's official!

No. 4 overall pick 🗣️@CalebWilson2025 ➡️ @chicagobullspic.twitter.com/Fg920oCS2K

, Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 24, 2026

The moment Caleb Wilson's dream became reality. pic.twitter.com/Mcj8mtibW2

, Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 24, 2026

And there it is: Caleb Wilson is the 4th overall pick, heading to the Chicago Bulls.

, Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) June 24, 2026

Michael Jordan...now Caleb Wilson!

So happy for @CalebWilson2025 Something about Tar Heel Legends in a Bulls jersey 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/eGBxaws32U

, UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) June 24, 2026

MJ 🤝 Caleb Wilson

ELITE. COMPANY. pic.twitter.com/pmlGc9FrO3

, ACC Network (@accnetwork) June 24, 2026

Carolina 🤝 Chicago pic.twitter.com/JONXeCooVp

, Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 24, 2026

Chicago Bulls fan from a young age??

SEE RED! 🔴🐂 pic.twitter.com/fDBz97mRsJ

, Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) June 24, 2026

“Looks like imma start seeing red” -@CalebWilson2025

, North Carolina Basketball and New York Mets (@carolinamets) June 24, 2026

Who'd Caleb Wilson invite to the NBA Draft?

Pretty cool that Caleb Wilson invited former UNC coach Hubert Davis to attend the NBA Draft in person with him. Not every prospect would've done that.

Shows the relationship that Davis and Wilson had, and will continue to.

, Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) June 23, 2026

Arizona's Derek Dixon is at the NBA Draft.

Wildcats supporting Wildcats 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dMyPWAEqY7

, Kevin Thomas (@KevoPosts) June 24, 2026

Hubert Davis is with Caleb Wilson and his family at the NBA Draft 🩵#NBADraftpic.twitter.com/7pgXO2YAgV

, Tar Heels HQ (@TarHeelsHQ) June 23, 2026

Comparing Caleb Wilson to NBA legends?

Caleb Wilson aka Baby Kevin Garnett.. ABSOLUTE DOG! ⭐️

, 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) June 24, 2026

Caleb Wilson will be the best Bull ever when it’s all said and done.

, HubertsBurner (@UNCballTalk) June 24, 2026

How long between Top-5 UNC picks?

Crazy stat regarding Caleb Wilson:

He is the first UNC basketball player to be selected in the Top 5 since 2005.

The best talent that has come out of Chapel Hill in a while.

, Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) June 24, 2026

Folks like to point out that North Carolina went 20 years between top-5 NBA Draft picks.

During that “drought”, the Tar Heels won 2 national titles and reached 5 Final Fours.

, Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) June 24, 2026

Caleb Wilson...meet deep dish pizza!

GET READY TO LEARN DEEP DISH BUDDY pic.twitter.com/PeR53QAfgm

, Ross Pins (@chisportsross) June 24, 2026

Best player in the 2026 Draft?

Putting this out there now:

Caleb Wilson is going to be the best player in this draft.

He also has a good shot to win Rookie of the Year.

, Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) June 24, 2026

Bulls just got the best player in the draft, ima huge fan of Caleb Wilson that guy is gonna be mvp one day

, pacific coast pirate (@cyberganic) June 24, 2026

Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer make history!

Duke's Cameron Boozer and UNC's Caleb Wilson are widely expected to be top-4 picks in tonight's NBA draft. If it happens, it would be the first time the Tobacco Road rivals had top-5 picks in the same draft since 1989 (Duke's Danny Ferry at 2, UNC's J.R. Reid at 5)

, Aaron Beard (@aaronbeardap) June 23, 2026

UNC produces plenty of NBA Draft picks!

Carolina has the third-most drafted players and third-most first-round picks in the history of the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/F5zXNz4Qyl

, Carolina Basketball Stats & Info (@UNCMBBStats) June 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Social media reacts to Caleb Wilson drafted by Bulls