Bulls' Caleb Wilson Turns Heads With Record-Setting Summer League Debut
The Chicago Bulls‘ No. 4 pick, Caleb Wilson, seemingly put the rest of the rookie class on notice with a spectacular performance at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Wilson and the Bulls took on the Memphis Grizzlies, featuring the draft’s third overall pick, Cam Boozer. However, Wilson put on a show, scoring 35 points, a record for a Vegas Summer League debut. His scoring included hitting seven 3s, to go along with six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
It’s the sort of statement-making game that Bulls fans love to see, after the team has been struggling to find success in recent years. Wilson sent a message to let them know there’s much more to come.
“We js getting started… SEE RED,” Wilson wrote on X following his standout game.
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Wilson made his first bucket with a confident-looking pull-up jumper at the top of the arc to nail a 3, wowing the commentators. He later advanced the ball down the court, eluded a double team, and then pulled up for a jumper on the baseline over his defender.
His array of skills and moves included rebounding a missed free throw and then powering into the lane to make a close basket. Wilson also made up for a turnover, chasing down the Grizzlies’ player to block a layup against the backboard.
He would make his final 3 at the buzzer of the game, which made it a one-point loss, 97-96 to the Grizzlies. However, it clearly showed what he’s capable of for a Chicago Bulls team that desperately needs a new breakout star in the lineup.
The fourth pick’s arrival to the NBA Summer League and his standout performance comes right after the No. 1 pick Darryn Peterson battled No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson this past week. Dybantsa finished with 27 points, while Peterson had just 24 points.
Wilson gets to continue to show his abilities when the Bulls play Peterson’s Jazz on Monday night. They’ll get Dybantsa and the Wizards on Tuesday evening, making for some must-watch games to see which rookie gets the better of the matchup.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM.