Caleb Wilson Drops 35 in Summer League Debut
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- Caleb Wilson scored 35 points in his Las Vegas Summer League debut Friday, the second-highest debut total since the event began in 2004, trailing only Marco Belinelli's 37 in 2007.
- It was Wilson's first competitive game since Feb. 10 after a broken wrist ended his lone college season at North Carolina; he said he cried before tipoff because he was 'emotional to be back on the court.'
- Wilson knocked down seven 3-pointers — matching the total he made across all 24 college games — and added three blocks, two steals, and six rebounds, though he also committed six turnovers.
- The Bulls lost 97-96 to the Memphis Grizzlies, and Wilson chided himself afterward for the turnovers and missed boxouts rather than celebrating his scoring outburst.
- Wilson's debut doubled as a matchup with fellow top rookie Cam Boozer, who led Memphis with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists; both players praised each other postgame.
- Bulls coach Tiago Splitter called the performance 'a long road' but said the team is 'getting to know him,' praising Wilson's aggressive start and effort on the boards.
Why it matters: Wilson showed a full offensive skill set — seven 3-pointers and downhill scoring — in his first action since February, giving the Bulls a tangible read on a player they drafted after his injury-shortened North Carolina season. The six turnovers also showed the rust that remains after five months off, framing the Summer League as a development runway rather than an instant verdict.
