Wilson Joins Naismith Trophy Watch List – UNC Athletics

Caleb Wilson, a freshman forward from Atlanta, has been selected as one of the 50 players on the preseason watch list for the 2025-26 Naismith Trophy. This prestigious award recognizes the national player of the year in college basketball. Wilson, standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, will make his official collegiate debut tonight.

Caleb Wilson’s First Game

The University of North Carolina’s 25th-ranked Tar Heels will host Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. in the Smith Center. This matchup will be broadcasted on the ACC Network. Fans eagerly anticipate Wilson’s performance in this exciting opener for the season.

Naismith Trophy Watch List

The Naismith Trophy watch list comprises talented players from across the nation, highlighting exceptional prospects for the upcoming collegiate basketball season. Below is the list of selected candidates:

• Darius Acuff Jr., Freshman Guard, Arkansas, SEC
• Nate Ament, Freshman Forward, Tennessee, SEC
• Robbie Avila, Senior Center, St. Louis, Atlantic 10
• Solo Ball, Junior Guard, UConn, BIG EAST
• Nate Bittle, Senior Center, Oregon, Big Ten
• John Blackwell, Junior Guard, Wisconsin, Big Ten
• Cameron Boozer, Freshman Forward, Duke, ACC
• Mikel Brown Jr., Freshman Guard, Louisville, ACC
• Markus Burton, Junior Guard, Notre Dame, ACC
• Alex Condon, Junior Forward/Center, Florida, SEC
• Ryan Conwell, Senior Guard, Louisville, ACC
• Donovan Dent, Senior Guard, UCLA, Big Ten
• Tucker DeVries, Senior Forward, Indiana, Big Ten
• Josh Dix, Senior Guard, Creighton, BIG EAST
• A.J. Dybantsa, Freshman Forward, BYU, Big 12
• Zuby Ejiofor, Senior Forward, St. John’s, BIG EAST
• Isaiah Evans, Sophomore Guard/Forward, Duke, ACC
• Boogie Fland, Sophomore Guard, Florida, SEC
• Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Senior Guard, Tennessee, SEC
• P.J. Haggerty, Junior Guard, Kansas State, Big 12
• Thomas Haugh, Junior Forward, Florida, SEC
• Bryce Hopkins, Graduate Student Forward/Guard, St. John’s, BIG EAST
• Josh Hubbard, Junior Guard, Mississippi State, SEC
• Graham Ike, Graduate Student Forward, Gonzaga, WCC
• Tomislav Ivišić, Junior Center, Illinois, Big Ten
• Ian Jackson, Sophomore Guard, St. John’s, BIG EAST
• Alex Karaban, Senior Forward, UConn, BIG EAST
• Trey Kaufman-Renn, Senior Forward, Purdue, Big Ten
• Xaivian Lee, Senior Guard, Florida, SEC
• Yaxel Lendeborg, Graduate Student Forward, Michigan, Big Ten
• Tamin Lipsey, Senior Guard, Iowa State, Big 12
• Jaland Lowe, Junior Guard, Kentucky, SEC
• Nick Martinelli, Senior Forward, Northwestern, Big Ten
• Otega Oweh, Senior Guard, Kentucky, SEC
• Koa Peat, Freshman Forward, Arizona, Big 12
• Darryn Peterson, Freshman Guard, Kansas, Big 12
• Tahaad Pettiford, Sophomore Guard, Auburn, SEC
• Labaron Philon Jr., Sophomore Guard, Alabama, SEC
• Richie Saunders, Senior Forward, BYU, Big 12
• Emanuel Sharp, Senior Guard, Houston, Big 12
• Jackson Shelstad, Junior Guard, Oregon, Big Ten
• Braden Smith, Senior Guard, Purdue, Big Ten
• Bennett Stirtz, Senior Guard, Iowa, Big Ten
• Andrej Stojaković, Junior Guard, Illinois, Big Ten
• Bruce Thornton, Senior Guard, Ohio State, Big Ten
• JT Toppin, Junior Forward, Texas Tech, Big 12
• Joseph Tugler, Junior Forward, Houston, Big 12
• Milos Uzan, Senior Guard, Houston, Big 12
• Darrion Williams, Senior Forward, NC State, ACC
• Caleb Wilson, Freshman Forward, North Carolina, ACC

Caleb Wilson’s inclusion on the Naismith Trophy watch list signifies his potential impact in the upcoming college basketball season. With tonight’s game, fans look forward to witnessing his journey at UNC.