By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Wilson’s NBA regular-season debut reminded everyone that the transition from college basketball to the pros won’t always be smooth, even for a rookie with his considerable talent.
The former Carolina star scored 16 points, missed seven of eight 3-point attempts and finished with a team-worst -45 in Chicago’s 135–92 loss Wednesday at Toronto. It is tied for the second-worst +/- by a Bulls player in franchise history.
The 43-point margin was the worst season-opening loss in Bulls history, and Wilson committed nine of their 27 turnovers.
“I just got to figure it out,” Wilson said, according to the Sun-Times, who had a dunk on ESPN Top Plays. “That’s the great thing about the NBA is we play 82 games, so able to watch film, my coaches tell me things I can do better, so it’s about going out there and doing it. Film is a great way to see where you should be and could be, but you just got to go out there and do it.”
Wilson, who started at power forward, played 32 minutes and went 7-for-21 from the floor, finishing with no assists. The only time he went without an assist last season was when he played 26 minutes at Miami in his final college game.
His night began with a lesson in how quickly the NBA moves. About 90 seconds into the game, Kawhi Leonard stripped Wilson of the ball.
Wilson had spoken about that matchup earlier in the week. He told the Sun-Times on Monday that “Kawhi is a guy I’ve looked at my whole life” and said he had modeled part of his game after the Toronto star.
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Bulls coach Tiago Splitter called it a bad night for Wilson and said he played too much in crowds, holding the ball instead of passing when two or three defenders were on him. He also pointed out that Toronto’s physical defense is built to force turnovers, and said the staff would use film to help Wilson improve.
Wilson’s performance sharply contrasted with his encouraging preseason, when he averaged 15.8 points in five games and showed the offensive versatility.
Even in a difficult game, his debut offered glimpses of that potential, particularly on defense. The three steals and a block showed the instincts that helped him average 1½ steals and 1.4 blocks during his only season at Carolina.
Wilson shot 33.3% from the field and collected only four rebounds in a game Chicago lost by 43 points. His season-low as a Tar Heel was four rebounds, which happened in three games. Wilson also committed four fouls, which he did only once last season.
The Bulls were outscored by 45 points while Wilson was on the court, though that figure also reflects the struggles of the lineups around him rather than his individual performance alone. Chicago shot 4-of-36 from 3-point range as a team and trailed by as many as 48 points.
The Bulls try to rebound at Milwaukee at 4 p.m. Friday.
Kessler perfect from the floor in Lakers victory
Walker Kessler made all 12 of his field-goal attempts and scored 26 points as the host Los Angeles Lakers beat Golden State 127–105 on Wednesday.
Kessler, who played his freshman season at UNC before transferring to Auburn, added nine rebounds and two blocks in nearly 30 minutes. His plus-minus of plus-24 was among the strongest performances in the Lakers’ victory.
Sharpe provides defense in Brooklyn loss
Day’Ron Sharpe started at center and contributed eight points, three assists and three blocks in Brooklyn’s 110–103 home loss to Charlotte on Wednesday.
Sharpe made four of five shots, and the Nets outscored the Hornets by seven points during his nearly 30 minutes on the floor, the best plus-minus among Brooklyn players.
Brooklyn’s other former Tar Heel, second-year guard Drake Powell, did not play (coach’s decision).
Elsewhere among former UNC players:
—Harrison Barnes, beginning his 15th NBA season, played only nine minutes in San Antonio’s 116–104 home loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. He scored three points, making his only field-goal attempt, and finished with an even plus-minus.
—Others not playing in their teams’ openers were Sacramento’s Leaky Black (coach’s decision), Utah’s Tony Bradley (inactive; left quadriceps strain), Philadelphia’s Caleb Love (coach’s decision), Utah’s Harrison Ingram (coach’s decision), New York’s Tyler Nickel (inactive), Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan of Milwaukee (both inactive) and Charlotte’s Coby White (left calf strain).
—The season opener for Cameron Johnson and Denver is at 9:30 Thursday (ESPN) in Oklahoma City.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Tuesday’s season opener — Thunder 116, Spurs 104 (home) | didn’t start: 9:16, 3 points, 1–1 FG, +/- of 0
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. Houston, Prime Video
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve; likely to play share of games in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Wednesday’s season opener — Clippers 121, Kings 96 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Portland
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Wednesday’s opener — Grizzlies 123, Jazz 103 (road) | Inactive: left quadriceps strain
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. New Orleans
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | second season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1–1 3P
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Wednesday’s opener — Grizzlies 123, Jazz 103 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. New Orleans
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Wednesday’s season opener — Lakers 127, Warriors 105 (home) | started: 29:48, 26 points, 12–12 FG, 2–4 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +24
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Tuesday’s season opener — Sixers 106, Knicks 100 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland, ESPN
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Wednesday’s season opener — Wizards 128, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday vs. Chicago
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Tuesday’s season opener — Sixers 106, Knicks 100 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Boston, Prime Video
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.0 rebound
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Cleveland
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Wednesday’s season opener — Wizards 128, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday vs. Chicago
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (home) | started: 29:40, 8 points, 4–5 FG, 0–1 FT, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, team-high +7
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Cleveland
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (road) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Atlanta
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Wednesday’s season opener — Raptors 135, Bulls 92 (road) | started: 32:28, 16 points, 7–21 FG, 1–8 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, team-high 9 turnovers, 4 fouls, team-low -45
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday at Milwaukee
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photo via @chicagobulls
