Jul 7, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls 2026 NBA Draft first round pick Caleb Wilson reacts after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Among NBA rookies, Caleb Wilson stands out for more than one reason. His physical skills are obvious, and the Chicago Bulls are fortunate to have him. But more than anything, Wilson's maturity beyond his years is a plus.
That rubbed off on the latest episode of the NBA series “Draft Class”. In the episode, Wilson spoke of the importance of the mental aspect of the game. He realized that more often than not, it's mind over matter.
“The game is actually 90% mental… once you get to the NBA, we all have physical attributes that separate us from the rest,” Wilson said.
The series showcased Wilson getting in shape during the pre-draft process over the summer.
"The game is actually 90% mental… once you get to the NBA, we all have physical attributes that separate us from the rest."
An all-new episode of "DRAFT CLASS" featuring @CalebWilson2025 is dropping today, exclusively right here on X 👀 pic.twitter.com/wwxW4MU8Qc
— NBA (@NBA) September 22, 2026
In June, the Bulls drafted Wilson with the No. 4 pick out of the University of North Carolina.
His addition sparked an organization looking for a resurgence of confidence and meaning. After all, the Bulls were an underperforming team for many years leading up to this point.
Their last playoff appearance was in 2022, and from there it was a continuous string of inconsistency.
However, the offseason brought a renewed sense of purpose. Bryson Graham is heading the front office. Tiago Splitter came on as head coach. Wilson is the cherry on top for a young team needing to turn a corner.
Chicago Training camp is a week away. The Bulls will begin their preseason on Oct. 7 against the Phoenix Suns at the United Center. They tip off on Oct. 21 on the road against the Toronto Raptors.