27
Aug
Aussies in the NBA
Forget Windy City, it'll be Lob City with Giddey and Wilson
Caleb Wilson #8 of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on July 16, 2026 (AEST). Photo: Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Highlights
Justin Tatum says college would not let Caleb Wilson shoot. Chicago will, and Josh Giddey benefits.
- Illawarra coach Justin Tatum praises Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson on a US podcast
- Wilson went fourth in the 2026 draft after one season at North Carolina
- He is projected to start at power forward beside Josh Giddey
Illawarra Hawks head coach Justin Tatum has lauded Chicago Bulls star guard Josh Giddey’s new teammate Caleb Wilson.
NBL25 Coach of the Year Tatum, 47, called out the 20-year-old 2.08m (6’10”) American forward during the Ultimate Dads Unplugged podcast released this week on YouTube.
The Bulls took one-and-done Wilson with the fourth pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
“When he was in college, he wasn't able to well; he wasn't allowed to shoot or be a creator like he is now,” Tatum said.
“And so now he's in open, more floor space, and now he's taking advantage of that in the Summer League.
“So he's really showing what he was, you know, like what he was able to do.
“He's solid.”
Wilson played four games in the 2026 Summer League in Las Vegas in July and averaged 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.5 blocks in 27.5 minutes and in just one season at the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2025-26, he was:
- 2025-26 ACC All-Freshman
- 2025-26 All-ACC – 1st Team
- 2025-26 AP All-America – 2nd Team
- 2025-26 Consensus All-America – 2nd Team
- 2025-26 NABC All-America – 3rd Team
- 2025-26 Naismith Trophy Midseason Watch List
- 2025-26 Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
- 2025-26 Sporting News All-America – 3rd Team
- 2025-26 USBWA All-America – 2nd Team
- 2025-26 Wooden Award Late Season Watch List
- 2025-26 Wooden Award Midseason Watch List
- 2025-26 Wooden Award National Ballot
- 2025-26 Wooden Award Preseason Watch List
Wilson is an athlete – and a lob threat. He has a 34.5” (87.6cm) standing vertical and a 39.5” (1.03m) running vertical to go with a 7’0” (2.13m) wingspan.
The Bulls stripped the roster in February, sacked the people who did it in April, hired a new front office in May and a new coach in June, and then drafted Caleb Wilson fourth overall. He walks into a rebuild that is four months old and a franchise that has missed the playoffs four years running.
New head coach Tiago Splitter said: "I can guarantee you one thing: We're going to compete every night. And we're going to have high standards with everything that we do."
And new Bulls executive vice president Bryson Graham said this about Splitter: "We are at the ground floor. And so when you have someone that has a vision that aligns with yours, that knows how you want to play, and how to build a program, we just, I mean, we couldn't be more excited."
Chicago went 31-51 last season and allowed 121.5 points per game, ranking 28th in the league. They held picks No. 4 and No. 15 in the 2026 draft and went into free agency with cap space to build around Giddey, who signed a four-year USD $100M extension before the start of the 2025-26 season.
Wilson is already projected as the starting power forward, pairing with Giddey – one of the NBA’s most elite passers.
Giddey produced the best season of his NBA career, but declared: “I’m 23, I’ve got a lot of room to grow."
“This offseason will probably be my best one yet, and I need to take that next step – continue to lead these guys and help this team win more games,” he added.
Giddey played just 53 games in an injury-impacted season, straining his hamstring on December 30, 2025, against Joe Ingles’ Minnesota Timberwolves.
He averaged 17 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 13 triple-doubles – one in every 4.1 games.
The Bulls play their first pre-season game against Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns on October 8, 2026 (AEST).
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