The legendary Muhammad Ali was from the University of “It ain’t bragging if it’s true.”
Good to see all these years later that a new-school, 20-year-old like Caleb Wilson isn’t bashful about talking a few of those classes.
Since being selected No. 4 overall in a loaded 2026 draft, the North Carolina product hasn’t been shy about his intentions in Year 1 and how he plans to obtain those.
He not only declared in his introductory press conference back in June that he “expects to have Rookie of the Year, honestly,” but added, “I feel like the team is really good for me and how I envision to play.”
That’s key for a first-year player looking to do big things: Does he have the talent to put a Rookie of the Year campaign together, and maybe more importantly, is there roster opportunity for that campaign to be unleashed?
There are exceptions to that roster rule as Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel showed last season. The Duke product was the third option on a much-improved Hornets team but made a run at Rookie of the Year by rewriting NBA record books, becoming the first rook in league history to lead the Association in total three pointers.
Still, he finished second in the voting to Dallas’ Cooper Flagg.
What does that mean for Wilson and the ’26 draft class? Good news because Wilson has already displayed the want in becoming the top rookie, and considering this Bulls roster, will have the opening to do just that.
TOP ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
Cameron Boozer – Memphis – Vegas and the betting odds are mostly propping Boozer atop the class for Rookie of the Year and with good reason. With Ja Morant sent out in an offseason trade with Portland, the Grizzlies are scoring deprived. Boozer is a double-double falling out of bed and by the All-Star Break should be the best player on the roster, and by a lot.
Cedric Coward will take a jump in his sophomore campaign but shouldn’t take away from what Boozer does best and that’s why he is the leading candidate out of the gate.
Caleb Wilson – BULLS – The three-point shooting Wilson displayed in Summer League was not an illusion. The shot is fundamentally sound and translates. Norman Powell’s presence will open up the floor for Wilson – and Matas Buzelis – but Wilson also displayed traits of a three, showing he can put the ball on the floor and go isolation.
But what will truly help Wilson chase down the ROY honor will be his above-the-rim game. Wilson is a highlight waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.
Darryn Peterson – Utah – What to do, what to do? In high school, Peterson had the ball in his hands and dominated both with his scoring and play-making. In his one season at Kansas, he was off the ball – and off the court way too much – and his game was inconsistent.
If Utah gives him the keys to the car, Peterson has the potential to be both a dominant scorer and distributor with weapons around him.
BEST OF THE REST
AJ Dybantsa – Washington – The overall No. 1 pick might be the most talented all-around player in the class but will have to share shots with veteran Anthony Davis and the ball-dominant Trae Young. What could help Dybantsa’s case is if the Wizards pull a Pistons and make a huge jump in the standings.
Darius Acuff Jr. – Sacramento – The alpha guard will have the scoring numbers for the Kings and showed he can play-make at Arkansas. Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis will give Acuff some running mates, but the issue is he might be “Arius” Acuff by the end of the year because there’s no D.
Brayden Burries – Milwaukee – The Bucks have a confusing roster in the wake of the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster deal with Miami. A bunch of interesting parts with no real rutter to steer the ship. That’s where Burries fits in. The do-everything guard from Arizona could be the featured piece in helping Milwaukee move on from the Greek Freak.