2026 NBA Mock Draft: UNC's Caleb Wilson closing in on Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer
The hierarchy of the 2026 NBA Draft was supposed to be set in stone long before the college basketball season tipped off. For over a year, scouts and executives have operated under the assumption of an impenetrable "Big Three" at the top of the lottery: AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson. However, as December unfolds, North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is shattering that consensus, forcing front offices to rewrite their big boards and expand the conversation for the number one overall pick.
Wilson’s ascent has been the defining storyline of the early NCAA season. While AJ Dybantsa has dazzled with scoring outbursts at BYU and Cameron Boozer continues to look like a polished franchise cornerstone for Duke, Wilson has matched them stride for stride. The 6-foot-10 forward is currently averaging near-double-double numbers, but it was his marquee performance against Darryn Peterson and Kansas that truly signaled his arrival. Wilson’s 24-point, four-steal masterpiece against the Jayhawks didn't just secure a win for the Tar Heels; it proved he could dominate fellow top-tier prospects on both ends of the floor.
Scouts are particularly enamored with Wilson’s defensive versatility. Unlike Dybantsa, who is viewed primarily as an offensive engine, or Peterson, a dynamic lead guard, Wilson offers a modern defensive archetype capable of switching one through five. His playmaking has also taken a significant leap, alleviating pre-season concerns about his ability to facilitate in the half-court. He is rapidly proving to be the "Swiss Army Knife" of the lottery, impacting winning in ways that don't always show up in the box score.
The narrative has shifted: the "Big Three" is now a "Big Four." While Cameron Boozer remains the safest pick due to his high floor and pedigree, and Dybantsa holds the highest scoring upside, Wilson’s two-way ceiling is arguably the most intriguing. For NBA teams currently tanking for a shot at the top pick, the expansion of the elite tier is welcome news. As ACC play approaches, the battle for the number one overall selection is no longer a three-horse race—Wilson has officially entered the conversation, and he might just have the momentum to win it.
Wilson’s ascent has been the defining storyline of the early NCAA season. While AJ Dybantsa has dazzled with scoring outbursts at BYU and Cameron Boozer continues to look like a polished franchise cornerstone for Duke, Wilson has matched them stride for stride. The 6-foot-10 forward is currently averaging near-double-double numbers, but it was his marquee performance against Darryn Peterson and Kansas that truly signaled his arrival. Wilson’s 24-point, four-steal masterpiece against the Jayhawks didn't just secure a win for the Tar Heels; it proved he could dominate fellow top-tier prospects on both ends of the floor.
Scouts are particularly enamored with Wilson’s defensive versatility. Unlike Dybantsa, who is viewed primarily as an offensive engine, or Peterson, a dynamic lead guard, Wilson offers a modern defensive archetype capable of switching one through five. His playmaking has also taken a significant leap, alleviating pre-season concerns about his ability to facilitate in the half-court. He is rapidly proving to be the "Swiss Army Knife" of the lottery, impacting winning in ways that don't always show up in the box score.
The narrative has shifted: the "Big Three" is now a "Big Four." While Cameron Boozer remains the safest pick due to his high floor and pedigree, and Dybantsa holds the highest scoring upside, Wilson’s two-way ceiling is arguably the most intriguing. For NBA teams currently tanking for a shot at the top pick, the expansion of the elite tier is welcome news. As ACC play approaches, the battle for the number one overall selection is no longer a three-horse race—Wilson has officially entered the conversation, and he might just have the momentum to win it.
