Caleb Wilson delivers heartfelt answer after NBA Summer league debut

[ASFN Admin]

In what is proving to be an exciting start of NBA Summer League action, Friday night took the cake, thanks to a record-setting performance from former UNC basketball star Caleb Wilson.

In the Chicago Bulls' 97-96 loss against fellow Top-5 pick Cameron Boozer's Memphis Grizzlies, Wilson exploded for 35 points, the most in a Summer League debut. Wilson made 12 of his 21 shots, including a red-hot 7-of-11 mark from deep, while adding five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

After his debut, Wilson got emotional when talking to reporters, citing Friday being his first live game action in five months.

"I mean honestly, I cried before I played today," Wilson said. "It's been five months to the day since the last time I played. I've just been really emotional 'cause I haven't been able to play. And I feel terrible because my team lost in the tournament and my coach got fired. It just was a lot for me at that point. Coming out today was just like, it just felt like I've been waiting so long for this opportunity and I'm just glad I got to come out here and play."

“I cried before I played today…It just felt like I’ve been waiting so long for this opportunity.”

- Caleb Wilson

(via @JoelXLorenzi)

pic.twitter.com/JjV15xkyuK

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 11, 2026

Fans likely remember Wilson's initial wrist injury, suffered during a 75-66 loss at Miami (FL) on February 10th. Wilson targeted a return for the Duke rematch in march, but broke his thumb in practice the preceding week.

With a healthy Wilson, the Tar Heels likely make a deep NCAA Tournament run and possibly win it all. It's good to see Wilson, a kid who immensely appreciates his time playing North Carolina basketball, healthy and thriving again on the basketball court.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Caleb Wilson delivers heartfelt answer after NBA Summer league debut

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