Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson sparked social media speculation after commenting “I love this s–t” when asked about missing matchups against top 2026 draft picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. While fans debated if the comment was a dig at those players for their teams ending their Summer League seasons early, sources confirm that neither Dybantsa nor Peterson were ducking a matchup. Their teams made the call to shut them down, which is not at all uncommon in Summer League for top draft picks.
Wilson’s Debut and the “Shade” Controversy
Following a high-scoring start to his NBA Summer League campaign, Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson faced questions regarding his missed opportunities to face fellow top draft picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. When asked about not getting to face off against the top two picks in the 2026 NBA draft, Wilson responded, “I love this s–t” when describing how he feels playing basketball.
The comment triggered immediate debate among NBA fans, with some interpreting the remark as a jab at Dybantsa and Peterson. However, reporting indicates that neither player was avoiding the matchup. The Washington Wizards announced on Tuesday, hours before their matchup with Chicago, that Dybantsa was being shut down after two Summer League appearances. Dybantsa showed exactly what he needed to for the Wizards to believe he was fine. Similarly, the Utah Jazz held Peterson out on Monday for what the team labeled as a rest day. It was the second night of a back-to-back for Utah after a 104-82 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Peterson played 26 minutes in that game, scoring 23 points and dishing out five assists.
Redemption and Performance
For Wilson, the Summer League serves as a long-awaited return to the court after a season-ending thumb surgery cut his final year at North Carolina short. For five months, he had counted the days until his next chance to prove himself. On Friday night, he scrolled back to look at the picture of himself in a blue hospital gown, sitting up in an inclined bed fresh out of his surgery, his fist clenched to signal hope. On most days since, Wilson’s lock screen on his phone has been set to a still shot of his stroll off North Carolina’s bus to play Duke, one of the final games of his college career. The rookie admitted to being emotional before his debut, which saw him score 35 points, grab five boards, and record three blocks in a 97-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I cried before I played today,” the Chicago Bulls rookie said. “It’s been five months to the day since the last time I played, and I’ve just been really emotional because I haven’t been able to play. I felt terrible because my team lost in the tournament and my coach got fired. It was a lot for me at that point. So coming out today, it just felt like I’ve been waiting so long for this opportunity.”
It is more surprising that Wilson is still playing, though the Bulls may want him to get as many reps as possible as he works his way back from the thumb surgery that ended his college season prematurely. The Bulls started their week in Vegas with a back-to-back against the Jazz and Wizards on Monday and Tuesday.
Hubert Davis Monitors Former UNC Players in Las Vegas
The presence of former North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis in Las Vegas has provided additional context to Wilson’s professional transition. Davis was in Brooklyn when Caleb Wilson was picked No. 4 overall in the NBA Draft, and he traveled to Las Vegas to watch Wilson and other players he coached at Carolina take the floor. Davis arrived Monday and planned to stay through Wednesday, moving between two arenas, catching up with former Carolina players, and watching how they are progressing.
“We’ve got eight UNC guys that I coached, and it’s really important for me,” Davis said during an ESPN interview. The interview occurred during the Chicago Bulls’ 80–63 loss to the Utah Jazz, as Wilson collected 19 points, three 3-pointers, eight rebounds, five blocks, two assists and two steals. In addition to Wilson, other players he coached at UNC who are playing in Las Vegas are Henri Veesaar, RJ Davis, Drake Powell, Seth Trimble, Cormac Ryan, Pete Nance and Tyler Nickel.
“Relationships are the biggest part for me, and I always tell them that I can’t coach them unless I know them, and they can’t play for me unless they know me,” Hubert Davis said in a frequently repeated statement. “And so, just being out here and giving them a hug and telling them how proud I am of them, it’s so much. It brings so much joy to my heart to see them out there on the floor.”
What has always impressed Davis about Wilson, he said, is the rare combination of talent and character. “I’ve never, out of all the players that I’ve been around, been around somebody that is as good as a basketball player, but just as good as a person, as a teammate.”
Find more reporting in our Sports section.
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