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Caleb Wilson tied for second-most 20-point games by UNC freshman
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- Caleb Wilson tied for second-most 20-point games by UNC freshman
Not only is Caleb Wilson one of the best freshman in college basketball, but one of the sport's best overall players – and a likely 2026 NBA Draft lottery pick.
Wednesday night proved another signature performance for UNC's superstar . Wilson scored a career-high 26 points, his 12th time hitting the 20-point threshold this season, while adding a North Carolina -best nine rebounds and two assists.
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Despite Wilson's superstar effort, the Tar Heels lost in a 95-90 disappointment at Stanford (14-4, 3-2 ACC) Wednesday night. UNC (14-3, 2-2 ACC) led by double-digits in both halves, but subpar defense proved the overarching theme once again.
With Wilson's 12th 20-point game, he now ties Rashad McCants for the second-most by a freshman in North Carolina history . Wilson only trails Tar Heels great Tyler Hansbrough , who recorded 14 20-point games as a freshman himself.
Wilson converted on 11 of his 16 field goals attempts Wednesday night, most of which came near the basket, while adding four free throw makes on seven attempts.
Wilson was also a huge factor in Saturday's closer-than-expected win over Wake Forest , scoring 22 points while converting eight of his nine shot attempts – and adding six free throw makes. Wilson's best scoring stretch came as UNC closed out 2025, when he scored 20 points in six-straight games between wins over Georgetown and Florida State.
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As Wilson goes, North Carolina tends to follow. Wilson didn't let any Cardinal big men take over down low, the overall, the Tar Heels' defense ruined a career night from their own superstar freshman.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Caleb Wilson scores 26 points Wednesday, inches closer to UNC legend
