North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson will miss the remainder of the season, including crucial tournament play, after fracturing his right thumb during practice. The injury requires surgery and follows a previous fracture to his left hand, which had already sidelined the highly-touted player.
Wilson, a 6-foot-10 forward and a projected top-five NBA draft pick, sustained the injury on Thursday in a non-contact drill while dunking. The school announced the season-ending surgery on Friday. This marks the second hand injury for Wilson this season, having previously missed six games due to a fractured left hand.
Despite missing significant time, Wilson's statistics this season remain notable: 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. His shooting percentages were 57.8% from the field, 25.9% from three-point range, and 71.3% from the free-throw line.
The timing of the injury is particularly challenging for the Tar Heels as they approach the ACC and NCAA tournaments. North Carolina has a record of 5-1 in games played without Wilson, including victories over Clemson and Louisville, the fifth and sixth seeds in the ACC, respectively. The team's regular-season finale is against rival Duke.
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Previous Setback
Wilson's latest injury occurred as he was nearing a return from his first hand fracture. He had been sidelined since a February game against Miami. Reports indicate that he had been seen cheering on his teammates with his left hand in a cast. Head coach Hubert Davis had previously indicated Wilson was progressing well in his rehabilitation and nearing a return to the lineup.
NBA Draft Outlook
Despite the season-ending injury, Wilson's NBA draft prospects are not expected to be significantly impacted. Scouts have reportedly been impressed with his athleticism and power. His college career, likely a single season given his draft projections, concludes with this latest setback.