Wilson’s Impactful Debut
Caleb Wilson, the Chicago Bulls‘ No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, made a notable debut in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He led the Bulls’ offense with a game-high 35 points. Wilson also contributed five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks during the contest. This performance marked his first organized action in several months, following a thumb injury that ended his college season in March.
Despite Wilson’s efforts, the Bulls experienced a loss in their Summer League opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies secured a victory in a close game. Wilson’s performance included strong long-range shooting, with him making 7-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc and shooting 12-of-21 overall. He played for 33 minutes in the game.
Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter had previously expressed positive observations about Wilson’s abilities in practice, highlighting his size and athletic talent as exceptional. Wilson himself had stated his ambition to be among the greatest players, drawing a comparison to previous Bulls legends during his introductory press conference.
Rivalry Rekindled
The matchup also featured Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick for the Memphis Grizzlies, rekindling a college rivalry between the two players. They had previously faced each other during their college careers, with Wilson playing for North Carolina and Boozer for Duke. Their connection dates back to their time playing together on Nightrydas Elite, where they won the 2024 Peach Jam.
In their only college encounter, Wilson scored 23 points, while Boozer contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds. The University of North Carolina secured a victory in that game. This Summer League game marked their first professional meeting.
Boozer concluded the game with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 27 minutes. He demonstrated efficiency in his shooting, converting 7-of-12 attempts. Cedric Coward also contributed significantly for the Grizzlies with 17 points and 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double. Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 13 points, five rebounds, and one assist for Memphis.
Game Flow and Closing Moments
The Memphis Grizzlies took a lead into halftime. Boozer had nine points by the end of the first half, while Coward led the Grizzlies with 12 points in the first half. Wilson was the leading scorer for Chicago in the first half with 13 points.
Memphis extended its control with a strong third quarter. However, the Bulls initiated the fourth quarter with a run that reduced the deficit, making the game competitive in the final stages. Chicago made a late run to further narrow the gap in the fourth quarter.
In the final moments, with Memphis holding a lead, Wilson made a three-pointer. Boozer then made two free throws. Wilson subsequently made another long-range shot as time expired, but Memphis maintained its lead to secure the win. The Grizzlies had entered the Las Vegas event with momentum, having achieved a 3-1 record in the Salt Lake City Summer League. They began their Summer League play with a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Boozer scored 15 points. Memphis then experienced a loss to the Utah Jazz, despite Boozer’s 18 points and seven rebounds. The Grizzlies later rested Boozer and other players in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, finishing third in Salt Lake City with a 1-2 record.
The Grizzlies are scheduled to play again on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks, and the Bulls will face the Utah Jazz later on the same day.
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Source: bleacherreport.com
