Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson is setting a high bar for himself entering his first NBA campaign.
“I expect to have Rookie of the Year, honestly,” Wilson told reporters Friday, including ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “I’m going to work hard. I’m going to do what it takes. I feel like the team is really good for me and how I envision to play.”
Drafted fourth overall by Chicago on Tuesday, the 6-foot-10 forward had a strong freshman year with North Carolina, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks across 24 appearances.
Wilson earned consensus second-team All-American honors and was an All-ACC first-team selection. However, his lone collegiate campaign was cut short after suffering a broken thumb in practice.
Despite playing in fewer games, Wilson said he believes he’s just as talented as any player in this year’s draft and is excited to back up the talk.
“Me saying I want to do something and me putting the actions behind it and becoming a great player, all things that I feel like I’m capable of,” Wilson said.
“Striving for something is something that we all do. Striving to be the greatest ever is, it is a bold thing to say, but that’s what I’m striving for. I’m not striving to be an average or mediocre player.”
Chicago finished 31-51 last season to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year. The Bulls haven’t won a postseason series since the 2014-15 campaign.
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