University of North Carolina standout freshman forward Caleb Wilson will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his right thumb during a practice drill on Thursday, the program announced Friday. The injury, which occurred while dunking during a non-contact exercise, requires surgical intervention.
This is the second hand injury for Wilson, a top NBA Draft prospect, who had been sidelined since February 10th with a fracture in his left hand. He had recently been cleared for individual workouts and was nearing a return before this setback.
Wilson has been a dominant force for the 17th-ranked Tar Heels, leading the team in both scoring (19.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.4 per game). His absence is a significant blow to UNC's championship aspirations, with their national title odds lengthening considerably.
The 6-foot-10 forward, a former five-star recruit, set multiple freshman records at UNC, including scoring in double figures in each of his first 24 collegiate games. He is still projected to be a top-four selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.