Caleb Wilson scores 35 points for Bulls in NBA Summer League debut, but loses 97-96 to Cameron Boozer's Grizzlies

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Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, made his Summer League debut on Friday for the Chicago Bulls with 35 points, setting a rookie record.

That topped the 27 scored by No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa for the Washington Wizards on Thursday in a win over the Utah Jazz.

Wilson immediately asserted himself on the court in a matchup with No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Boozer’s team earned the 97-96 win in Las Vegas.

Caleb Wilson hits a 3-pointer and the contested jumper for his first Summer League points (with replays).

The 4th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/ZY40j5ZzFY

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 11, 2026

The 6-foot-10 forward scored the Bulls’ opening five points of the game, hitting a 3-pointer at the top of the arc and followed that up with a midrange jumper from the baseline.

However, the play that made observers take notice most was likely a chasedown block in the second quarter. Wilson’s pass at the 3-point line was stolen by the Grizzlies’ Javon Small. But the rookie raced down the court as Small appeared to have a fast-break layup and blocked the shot from behind.

Watch how fast Caleb Wilson got down the floor for this SWAT

Left the @NBAonPrime crew astonished! pic.twitter.com/ZJavw1sO9e

— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2026

Wilson demonstrated a surprising 3-point shooting touch in his first NBA action, hitting 7-of-11 shots from behind the arc, including two in the closing eight seconds of the game.

The rookie showed confidence from the outside, taking shots off the dribble and nailing a few stepback 3s. For a player who shot 26% on only 27 long-range attempts during his lone season at North Carolina, his accuracy was eye-opening.

35 POINTS FOR CALEB WILSON ON THE NIGHT!

What an NBA Summer League debut by the #4 overall pick of the @chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/J3cCgOobMa

— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2026

Overall, Wilson shot 10-of-21 from the floor, with 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks in an impressive all-around performance.

The Bulls’ other first-round pick, Dailyn Swain, finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Jaylin Sellers added 15 points for Chicago, grabbing 4 boards and dishing out 4 assists.

Chicago’s next Summer League game will be against No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz on Monday, That’s followed by a matchup with Dybantsa and the Wizards on Tuesday.


Cameron Boozer continues to impress in Summer League play​


Playing in his third Summer League game, Boozer looked comfortable and was one of the best players on the court. He threw down back-to-back dunks early in the first quarter, one-upping Wilson on the second one by poking the ball away from him and going in for the basket.

CAMERON BOOZER VS. CALEB WILSON

PUTTING ON A SHOW. pic.twitter.com/x5iNkNE6Ns

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 11, 2026

Boozer led the Grizzlies with 23 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the floor, while grabbing 6 rebounds with 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. In a Summer League environment where players sometimes experiment with their game, Boozer brought the ball up several times for Memphis and created offense in the half-court.

Cedric Coward added 17 points for Memphis, grabbing 10 rebounds with 5 assists and 2 blocks, at times drawing attention away from the two rookies. Javon Small followed with 15 points and Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 13 with 5 boards.

Up next for the Grizzlies in Summer League play is a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

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