The Brooklyn Nets are still in the middle of the 2025-26 NBA season, but they are likely looking to acquire the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Brooklyn is trying to win as many games as possible before the season ends, but as things stand, the Nets are looking to finish with one of their worst records. However, their potential draft pick was injured.
“UNC freshman forward Caleb Wilson is out with a fractured left hand, which he sustained in the first half of Tuesday’s game against Miami,” UNC announced Thursday. Wilson is one of the players projected to be selected early in the 2026 draft, and the Nets could be one of the teams within Wilson’s range, depending on how the lottery pans out.
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“Wilson’s NBA skills and athleticism, combined with his continued stellar contributions to North Carolina, point to a high-level and predictable role for Wilson,” Jonathan Wasserman recently wrote for Bleacher Report. “Wilson uses his quick twitch, effortless bounce and motor to continue to lead the nation in dunks.”
In Wasserman’s latest mock draft for Bleacher Report, he predicts Brooklyn will select Wilson fourth overall behind the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers. If the Nets end up with the fourth pick, that means they won’t be able to select Kansas guard Darin Peterson, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa or Duke forward Cameron Boozer, who are projected to be the top three players in the class.
The 19-year-old Wilson played 24 games for North Carolina this season, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 57.8% from the field and 25.9% from three-point range. As of this writing, the Nets are expected to end up with the fifth overall pick, so time will tell if they are able to draft Wilson. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how his stock is affected by the left hand injury.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets 2026 NBA Draft prospect Caleb Wilson of UNC suffers hand injury
