The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft took place overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday and sent the class’s top prospects to their new teams. AJ Dybantsa went first to Washington, Deron Peterson second to Utah, Cam Boozer third to Memphis, and Caleb Wilson was selected fourth by Chicago, with some analysts calling him the best player in the draft.
After putting on a Bulls cap and shaking hands with commissioner Adam Silver, the 19-year-old, 2.08-meter forward made a bold declaration in his first comments as a Bull: “I want to be the greatest player of all time. You already have one GOAT in your history, so it is time for another one. I want to be bigger than Michael Jordan.” Wilson, who has drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett, was also praised by Draymond Green, who said he could be the best player in the draft and that “his floor is Garnett.”
Wilson played one season at North Carolina, Jordan’s alma mater, and averaged 19.8 points on 57.8% shooting, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks. After being drafted, he shared a childhood photo on social media wearing a Bulls sweatshirt.
Dybantsa said after joining Washington that he is “a dream for any coach” and believes he is on the right path to an NBA Finals appearance. Peterson, who had been criticized for games missed at Kansas, said his rookie goal is to play all 82 games, reach the playoffs and try to win a championship. He has signed with Adidas in one of the five most lucrative shoe deals ever for an NBA rookie, and ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said his ceiling is Kobe Bryant. Boozer, meanwhile, said people will look back years from now and say he should have gone first overall.
