By R.L. Bynum
North Carolina’s frontcourt is firmly on the NBA radar, with Caleb Wilson projected by most to go in the top four of the 2026 NBA draft and Henri Veesaar trending toward the first round in multiple projections for a loaded draft class.
Most projections have Wilson picked after Duke’s Cameron Boozer, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson despite outplaying the latter two this season (the BYU matchup coming in an exhibition loss).
Those are the predictions of The Athletic, Bleacher Report and Tankathon. The outliers are NBADraft.net (Wilson at three and Boozer at four), ESPN (Wilson fifth behind Tennessee’s Nate Ament), and Field of 68 (Wilson sixth).
In the final ESPN Class of 2025 rankings, Wilson was fifth behind Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Ament.
The last Carolina player picked in the top four was Marvin Williams, who the Atlanta Hawks selected Marvin Williams No. 2 in 2005. Before that, you have to go back to 1998, when the Toronto Raptors picked Antawn Jamison fourth overall.
The other top-four UNC picks were James Worthy (No. 1 by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982), Brad Daugherty (No. 1, Cleveland Cavaliers, 1986), Bob McAdoo (No. 2, Buffalo Braves, 1972) and Michael Jordan (No. 3, Chicago Bulls, 1984).
Here’s what Sam Vecenie wrote in The Athletic about Wilson, who leads No. 16 UNC in scoring (19.2 points per game), rebounding (10.2 per game) and steals (14) while blocking 10 shots:
“Wilson’s athleticism and production have popped in a big way this season … Simply put, he’s an imposing athletic presence with serious vertical explosion and speed who is extremely difficult to stay in front of. Wilson’s motor also runs extremely hot, and he consistently seems to find the ball.”
Why haven’t most scouts put him in the top three? According to Vecenie’s reporting, it’s because of concerns about his finishing and defense. On that, he wrote:
“He’s shooting just 8 of 29 on layup attempts and 2 of 10 from three, though his midrange touch and foul-line consistency offer hope. He has also not been as impressive defensively as expected, showing flashes on the ball but struggling with engagement off it.”
Jeff Goodman, in the Field of 68 mock draft story, reported this anonymous quote from an NBA executive:
“Long, athletic and huge upside. I love how hard he plays and he’s going to be an impact guy on the defensive end from day one. He’s awesome in transition; he just needs to develop a perimeter shot if he wants to be an all-star at the next level. But his stock has definitely risen, and he could go as high as 2 or 3 because of his length, toughness and enough skill.”
Veesaar, a 7–0 Estonian junior transfer from Arizona, is projected No. 28 to the Lakers by The Athletic, while Tankathon and NBADraft.net slot him between 31 and 35. Field of 68 doesn’t have him going in the first round.
He’s impressed scouts with his mobility and shooting touch, averaging 16 points and 8.5 rebounds, shooting 40% from 3-point range and leading the team with 10 blocks and 64.9% shooting from the floor.
Here’s part of what Vecenie wrote about Veesaar:
“Defensively, he’s been versatile in ball-screen coverages. Scouts want to see more toughness and for him to embrace being the biggest player on the court. But it’s very hard to find skilled 7-footers like this, and teams are interested.”
Teams see his potential as a modern stretch-five, sometimes compared to Kristaps Porziņgis with a touch of Al Horford, thanks to his pick-and-pop ability, smooth shooting stroke and passing skills.
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
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