Horace Grant believes Caleb Wilson could become the Chicago Bulls’ most significant draft success in nearly two decades.
Speaking with Kyle Odegard of Action Network, Grant praised the No. 4 overall pick and said Wilson ranks among the franchise’s best selections since Derrick Rose, who was taken first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.
“What a beast. What a freakin’ beast,” Grant said. “He has all the intangibles, the skillset. But what I love about him is that he has the mindset of a killer. A dog. He goes out and gets it.
“It’s one of the best draft picks since Derrick Rose. I’m not going to put him with MJ and myself and Pip, but since Derrick Rose, one of the greatest choices the Bulls have made, in my humble opinion.”
Wilson enters the NBA after a productive freshman season at North Carolina, where he averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 24 games. The 19-year-old shot 57.8% from the field while averaging 31.3 minutes.
Chicago selected Wilson fourth overall after finishing the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record, placing 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls subsequently overhauled their front office and coaching staff, with Bryson Graham taking over basketball operations and Tiago Splitter hired as head coach.
The franchise also used the 15th overall pick on Dailyn Swain, adding another young player to a roster that already includes 21-year-old Matas Buzelis and 23-year-old Josh Giddey. Buzelis averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 77 games last season, while Giddey produced 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 54 appearances.
Grant’s comparison with the Bulls’ post-Rose draft history reflects the opportunity facing Wilson rather than an established NBA résumé. Rose was the league’s MVP in 2011 and remains the last Bulls draft pick to win the award.
Chicago has made several major roster changes since the end of last season, including the departure of Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton. The Bulls also added Norman Powell in free agency and acquired Nic Claxton as part of their broader offseason restructuring.
