Caleb Wilson reflects on season, All-American honors as UNC begins NCAA
Caleb Wilson sprinted ahead, past the outstretched phones and fans leaning over railings, leading his teammates through the tunnel and onto the floor at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Or so he thought. In keeping with a UNC postseason tradition, Wilson and fellow freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon ran out first and quickly grabbed basketballs off the rack — only to turn and realize no one else had followed. They’d been pranked.
Director of operations Eric Hoots pointed and laughed. Wilson broke into a wide grin, eyes crinkling. “You’re a funny guy! That’s good, man!” Wilson shouted at Hoots. Moments later, as the rest of the Tar Heels jogged onto the court, Wilson drifted to the baseline. That’s where he stayed Wednesday afternoon, watching shootaround ahead of UNC’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with No. 11 seed VCU. It’s where he’ll be Thursday, too. But Wilson, speaking to the media for the first time in over a month, doesn’t sound like someone stuck on the sideline. If anything, the second-team All-American is enjoying the ride.
“It’s kind of fun,” he said. “I’ve been able to build relationships with everyone on my team now… I’m with the walk-ons at the end of the bench, and usually I’d just be in the game. So it’s definitely fun, and I’m enjoying it. I’m grateful I have this opportunity to learn how to lead in a different way.” For the first time since UNC’s Feb. 7 win over Duke
Wilson spoke at length with reporters in Greenville. The questions were predictable: about the injury, the emotions, what comes next. He was ready for each one with an answer, yes. But jokes too. What do you remember about celebrating the Duke win? “That was the last night I had two hands.” Have you seen the TikTok edits? “They’re really sad. I be like, ‘Damn, I’m not dead.’”
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