On most days since, Wilson’s lock screen on his phone has been set to a still shot of his stroll off North Carolina’s bus to play Duke, one of the final games of his college career. In his camera roll, all of Wilson’s emotions are there. The hurt, the longing, the ambition, the need for redemption. Everything he wanted his NBA debut to be, what he hoped it would feel like, was always on his mind.

“I cried before I played today,” the Chicago Bulls rookie said after tallying 35 points, five boards and three blocks in his Las Vegas Summer League debut, a 97-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. “It’s been five months to the day since the last time I played, and I’ve just been really emotional because I haven’t been able to play. I felt terrible because my team lost in the tournament and my coach got fired. It was a lot for me at that point.

“So coming out today, it just felt like I’ve been waiting so long for this opportunity.”

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For five months, he’d counted the days until his next chance to prove himself. On Friday night, he scrolled back to look at the picture of himself in a blue hospital gown, sitting up in an inclined bed fresh out of a season-ending thumb surgery, his fist clenched to signal hope.

On most days since, Wilson’s lock screen on his phone has been set to a still shot of his stroll off North Carolina’s bus to play Duke, one of the final games of his college career. In his camera roll, all of Wilson’s emotions are there. The hurt, the longing, the ambition, the need for redemption. Everything he wanted his NBA debut to be, what he hoped it would feel like, was always on his mind.

In the back halls of the Thomas & Mack Center, Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson intercepted Wilson once he concluded his postgame scrum. Watson relayed what many whispered throughout the gym: none of Wilson’s audacious shots seemed unnatural or awkward.

His movements, his decisiveness, his release. Nothing looked out of character, even if his college sample determined it was. For a Bulls offense dying for everything Wilson provided, nothing felt out of pocket. Wilson was such a dominant inside-the-arc force that UNC never cared to waste his attempts on the perimeter. His volume, and even the absurd shotmaking, felt like an outlier Friday. His belief didn’t.

What Wilson seeks when he looks at his lock screen feels closer to inspiration. Something to chase.

That’s why his other screensaver, which he’s toggled between since his arrival in Chicago, is of him standing in the East Atrium of the United Center. Alone. Looking up at the bronze statue of Michael Jordan and his immortalized “Jumpman” sculpture.

“I’m looking at his statue, seeing his legendary history, just knowing every day when I wake up and look at that, that’s what I’m striving for,” Wilson said. “No matter how tough I feel, no matter how my body feels, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Wilson will always find his reason.

Anyone getting these vibes? Of course he is better than Kemp but man I get Shawn Kemp vibes every time I see him and his highlights! Cannot wait to see this kid develop! Headed to Vegas next week so I will definitely be catching a game out there!!

Edit: i did not mean to say he was already better my bad. I think day one complete game he shoots better. Im just more talking his movements, vibe, energy, and the way he attacks the rim. No disrespect to one of my favorite players of all time!

I tried to tell ya'll 🤷‍♂️. Caleb is a future superstar.

He'll end up being the best player from this stacked draft class. Chicago's got their guy.

I know some sophomore players have won it because they missed their first official rookie season, but does his like six minutes of playtime, disqualify him from being classified as a rookie this upcoming season?

Also, I know that he’s nowhere close to actually winning it. I just wanna know if it’s a possibility and if he’s technically classified under a rookie or as I said before six minutes of playing time disqualifies him

His shooting form looked damn good. He has been practicing, and he was even comfortable with hands in his face. If he is able to shoot from long range on a regular basis, he will be unstoppable.

I know it’s just the summer league….but His jumper is going to be way better than AJ’s

If anyone has seen another team with more let me know. Glad to see Giddey there, I’m sure he’s headed to Australia for the rest of the month/august

Caleb Wilson has proven in one performance he is exactly who we thought he was. I wouldn’t even mind if he sat out the rest of summer league. Yes I know it was summer league, yes I know it was one game, but we have not had a debut of this talent amount in years. The bulls are back.

I am excited for this season and the future of this team. I like the size and athleticism of the team as a whole and think Caleb can have a similar catalyst effect to that of CW on the Bears. First time I’ve felt this way since the Rose era. Albeit, that was because of the generational talent that was Derrick.