Worst possible news for North Carolina Basketball: star freshman Caleb Wilson broke his right thumb on a dunk in practice on Thursday, and the word on Friday is, he is out for the rest of the season.
Wilson had been set to return to the lineup for tomorrow night’s regular-season finale at #1 Duke from the broken left hand that had kept him on the sidelines for Carolina’s past six games.
The Heels, notably, have gone 5-1 in his absence, including wins over NCAA Tournament locks Clemson and Louisville.
Wilson, a talented 6’10” freshman, injured his left hand in a 75-66 loss at Miami on Feb. 10, but was able to finish the game, though he had a season-low 12 points in the L.
Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels (24-6, 12-5 ACC, NET: 24), shooting 57.8 percent from the floor and 25.9 percent from three, and getting to the line a staggering 7.5 times per game.
In his absence, UNC coach Hubert Davis has gone to former five-star recruit Jarin Stevenson (10.2 ppg, 6.2 rebounds/g, 56.3% FG, 40.0% 3FG over his last six) and former four-star recruit Zayden High (9.5 ppg, 7.3 rebounds/g, 52.8% FG, 12.5% 3FG over his last six) for minutes at the four spot, alongside seven-foot center Henri Veesaar (season numbers: 16.5 ppg, 8.4 rebounds/g, 61.1% FG, 41.3% 3FG).
Because Carolina has had a successful six-game run without Wilson on the floor, the news that he is now lost for the season shouldn’t impact their NCAA Tournament seeding.
It may impact the Heels’ ceiling, though; Wilson is a consensus Top 4 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.
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Chris Graham
