As the North Carolina Tar Heels head into the heart of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule in February, they have the chance to make a statement and improve their NCAA Tournament resume. Building momentum into March will be crucial for Hubert Davis' team.
One player who will continue to have the spotlight on him is freshman Caleb Wilson . The five-star recruit has been one of the best players in the country and is leading the Tar Heels in points and rebounds per game. But his defense is also a very underrated aspect.
On Thursday, Wilson was praised for his defense. He was one of 25 players named to the 2026 Naismith Men's College Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced .
Along with 19.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season, he leads UNC in blocked shots(28), steals (32) and defensive rebounds (139) this season. He's started in all 20 games for the Tar Heels.
Wilson has made an immediate impact for UNC in his first season. With a loaded freshman class in college basketball, he continues to stand out. And he's really worked his way up the draft boards as well.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Caleb Wilson named to defensive list
