Caleb Wilson will commit in 01/23

[chasingwildcat]

I think he is UNC to lose and just use UK for attention. This is my gut feeling.

UNC may actually be the leader since last year. He is just using UK to make some smoke


Update:
He will make commitment in 1/23 actually

https://247sports.com/college/baske...nt-date-2025-basketball-recruiting-244286834/

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Meh. Said it yesterday, I don't want any kids that are just waiting to see who bids highest. If he wants to go to UNC, a program that clearly has an under performing coach, and pass on Pope and UK.. then (and I hate to use this cliche line, but) I don't really want him anyways.

Can't have guys like that on the team.

 

[chasingwildcat]

If we do not get Wilson, I think we can recruit qualified europe players who can also make contribution in day one like two europe guys in Illinois. Big T and Jakučionis are all definitely solid starter level and we can recruit European players in this caliber

 

[WeWant9]

I’d love to have him, and it’d be a nice feather in Pope’s hat on landing an out of state 5*. With that said, I dont know if any freshman is truly make or break in this era. If he wants to be a Cat, awesome. If not, on to the next one (probably portal).

 

[KentuckyCat420]

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I think he is UNC to lose and just use UK for attention. This is my gut feeling.

UNC may actually be the leader since last year. He is just using UK to make some smoke

Personally, I think it’s the direct opposite.

However, I’d prefer a top portal player over a freshman in today’s game.

 

[fredmanthecatfan]

I still think he will be a Cat! It just makes too much sense for him to come to UK. That said, I could be wrong.

 

[kyrx]

I'd feel a lot better with Coach P getting his first 5-star recruit.
Hoping and praying.

 

[chasingwildcat]

I still think he will be a Cat! It just makes too much sense for him to come to UK. That said, I could be wrong.

In UK, he has to play in system

However, UNC, he can have all the balls in his hands, and he can do any decision he wants, just like Ian Jackson this year (although they play in different positions)

He may not care about winning, but just showcase his skill to make his draft prospect higher.

So he goes to UNC is more logical. UNC is worse team but he has more "freedom".

 

[B.B.H.]

In UK, he has to play in system

However, UNC, he can have all the balls in his hands, and he can do any decision he wants, just like Ian Jackson this year (although they play in different positions)

He may not care about winning, but just showcase his skill to make his draft prospect higher.

So he goes to UNC is more logical. UNC is worse team but he has more "freedom".

I think this is a reasonable assessment. He’s a Tar Heel and I’m okay with it.

 

[TTTblue24]

Would love to have to him but if it’s only about $$$$ then I’d rather hit the portal cause I’m guessing we will be a top option for guys after this season.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Would love to have to him but if it’s only about $$$$ then I’d rather hit the portal cause I’m guessing we will be a top option for guys after this season.

Think we need to recruit one or two more starter or even a star level frontcourt players from portal or Europe guys

 

[UKWildcats1987]

If we can use the money to get a top talent transfer I'm good with that. I'm talking Knecht impact and super talented.

 

[true blue1]

Think we need to recruit one or two more starter or even a star level frontcourt players from portal or Europe guys

I hope the staff is recruiting Mikka Muurinen.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Would love to have to him but if it’s only about $$$$ then I’d rather hit the portal cause I’m guessing we will be a top option for guys after this season.

Gonna be real and say number 1 thing is money for most every player now. And that's ok but it can't just be about it.

 

[WCSPlayedWRInHS]

when did the winds shift to unc? Have we not been considered the leader for a while now?

 

[chasingwildcat]

when did the winds shift to unc? Have we not been considered the leader for a while now?

My opinion is that the "UK leader" info is the smoke created by Wilson camp to create attention and he was UNC to lose early on and just is using us.

I am happy if I am wrong (if he comes here), but now I do not see it

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

In UK, he has to play in system

However, UNC, he can have all the balls in his hands, and he can do any decision he wants, just like Ian Jackson this year (although they play in different positions)

He may not care about winning, but just showcase his skill to make his draft prospect higher.

So he goes to UNC is more logical. UNC is worse team but he has more "freedom".

He can hve all the balls in his hands? @chasingwildcat pause man

 

[Kuhldaddy]

I'd feel a lot better with Coach P getting his first 5-star recruit.
Hoping and praying.

Thought Jasper Johnson was a 5 star?

 

[Eagles_Ball]

Is it wishful thinking to hope Z hits the portal? I wouldn't be mad about getting him back.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Is it wishful thinking to hope Z hits the portal? I wouldn't be mad about getting him back.

Do not think if Pope will recruit him

Will be lots of better options in the portal

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Unfortunately I think he used UK to get a better payday from UNC.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[mebeblue2]

In UK, he has to play in system

However, UNC, he can have all the balls in his hands, and he can do any decision he wants, just like Ian Jackson this year (although they play in different positions)

He may not care about winning, but just showcase his skill to make his draft prospect higher.

So he goes to UNC is more logical. UNC is worse team but he has more "freedom".

every coach has a system
at UK and UNC he will have a green light anytime he wants

 

[chasingwildcat]

I’d love to have him, and it’d be a nice feather in Pope’s hat on landing an out of state 5*. With that said, I dont know if any freshman is truly make or break in this era. If he wants to be a Cat, awesome. If not, on to the next one (probably portal).

Acc is crap and UNc will make tournament again after playing a ton of cupcakes

If UNC makes tournament, Davis will still be the coach next season

Also, their most powerful player, RJ Davis, is also a roy period recruit. Seth Davis is still using legacy of Roy. If no RJ (no Roy legacy and only Seth's guys in this year), UNC would be complete Garbage already.

 

[chasingwildcat]

every coach has a system
at UK and UNC he will have a green light anytime he wants

At UNC, he will. He could shoot the ball anytime he wants

At UK, he will not be the top option and has to "sacrifice" himself to make plays for the whole team

 

[mebeblue2]

At UNC, he will. He could shoot the ball anytime he wants

At UK, he will not be the top option and has to "sacrifice" himself to make plays for the whole team

our entire team this year has a green light
do you honestly think that Pope will tell him that he does not
UK opens the entire floor up for him

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'd feel a lot better with Coach P getting his first 5-star recruit.
Hoping and praying.

I WAS worried about this when we hired pope.. I'm not at all anymore though. He's going to get his guys. This season really could not have gone better so far and recruits/media sees this. They also see that he's a mild tempered coach who I bet is great to play for.

And also, I'm starting to change my stance a bit on needing 5stat recruits in this day of NIL. I'd almost rather have a 50th guy who we don't have to pay millions for, who will stay a few years. Than the 15th ranked guy we have to bid for, only to see him threaten to leave or transfer.

Maybe going after "10s" isn't all it's cracked up to be. Get a 4-stat recruit who would kill to play for UK and you kind of have the leverage.

Either way, we're gonna be fine from a talent standpoint. Look what he threw together in 2 months.

 

[bigbluedon]

At UNC, he will. He could shoot the ball anytime he wants

At UK, he will not be the top option and has to "sacrifice" himself to make plays for the whole team

Brand new poster with negative vibes all over. There is more info out there with him likely to be a cat than not. Relax and you will enjoy next Friday.

 

[chasingwildcat]

our entire team this year has a green light
do you honestly think that Pope will tell him that he does not
UK opens the entire floor up for him

Pope will create good strategies for him but won’t allow him to control the ball freely or play whatever he wants, instead, he’ll need to serve the team. However, at North Carolina, he can be the team’s top option and play whatever he likes, just like playing basketball in a random park. He’ll have the freedom to control the ball without discipline, which will definitely be more enjoyable for him personally.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Brand new poster with negative vibes all over. There is more info out there with him likely to be a cat than not. Relax and you will enjoy next Friday.

Recent info all signs to UNC is leader. Like Shaw and Braham

I hope he will come but I just say my opinion (and I should have the freedom to express my opinion if it is not offensive). I am negative about the potential result

We will see.

If I am wrong I will be very happy and apologize to Wilson

 

[permdaddy]

Ryan Lemond just said Wilson already has his NIL deal in place at UK. Also said this may be the case at the other schools on his list.

 

[KAB Cats]

Meh. Said it yesterday, I don't want any kids that are just waiting to see who bids highest. If he wants to go to UNC, a program that clearly has an under performing coach, and pass on Pope and UK.. then (and I hate to use this cliche line, but) I don't really want him anyways.

Can't have guys like that on the team.

Got some news for ya…

 

[Tprinceuk]

Pope will create good strategies for him but won’t allow him to control the ball freely or play whatever he wants, instead, he’ll need to serve the team. However, at North Carolina, he can be the team’s top option and play whatever he likes, just like playing basketball in a random park. He’ll have the freedom to control the ball without discipline, which will definitely be more enjoyable for him personally.

How do you know that's what he wants, maybe he's not as selfish as you are acting like he is, I would assume you don't actually know the kid so let's not act like you know what he's thinking.

 

[TX-Wildcat]

Not a fan of guys making such a big deal out of their recruitment. Points to a bit of a "look at me" attitude. I do not know Wilson and cannot confirm he is that kind of kid, but there are signs.

If he picks UNC, I wonder if Davis survives to coach him next year!

 

[chasingwildcat]

How do you know that's what he wants, maybe he's not as selfish as you are acting like he is, I would assume you don't actually know the kid so let's not act like you know what he's thinking.

Again, this is my intuition based on his recent moves

If I am wrong I will be very happy and apologize to Wilson.

 

[fredmanthecatfan]

Pope will create good strategies for him but won’t allow him to control the ball freely or play whatever he wants, instead, he’ll need to serve the team. However, at North Carolina, he can be the team’s top option and play whatever he likes, just like playing basketball in a random park. He’ll have the freedom to control the ball without discipline, which will definitely be more enjoyable for him personally.

If he’s good enough to beat 5 defenders, then that’s the way he should go.
However, if he’s interested in open looks and open lanes, he should probably come here.

 

[KAB Cats]

Money is and always will be a factor in all commitments going forward and it was likely a factor for every player on our team now. Saying we don’t want players who want money is like saying we don’t want to hire employees who want a salary. That’s not how things work.

Wilson has done zero wrong in his recruitment. The sole question is if he can benefit this team next year relative to other players we can bring in. The staff evidently feels confident that’s the case.

Now, if he doesn’t come here, we still have a lot of options. So, I think we can be really good either way. People acting like there is some character issue because he’s maximizing earnings is insane to me though.

 

[mebeblue2]

Pope will create good strategies for him but won’t allow him to control the ball freely or play whatever he wants, instead, he’ll need to serve the team. However, at North Carolina, he can be the team’s top option and play whatever he likes, just like playing basketball in a random park. He’ll have the freedom to control the ball without discipline, which will definitely be more enjoyable for him personally.

i highly doubt anything you said about him going to UNC
no coach is going to let his team know that they all have restrictions on them except one player
hey i get it that you are a UNC fan, but please try to make a sensible argument

 

[ORCAT]

Thought Jasper Johnson was a 5 star?

Johnson is a 5*.

 

[chasingwildcat]

i highly doubt anything you said about him going to UNC
no coach is going to let his team know that they all have restrictions on them except one player
hey i get it that you are a UNC fan, but please try to make a sensible argument

I am not UNC fan, please do not insult me by this.

Wilson could be Ian Jackson or Dylan Harber/Ace Bailey type of freshman in UNC, be the center of the team, but will not be the no.1 guy in UK. He will play more like Castle in Uconn if he comes here. He could want the former type more.

Again, if I am wrong, I will be very happy.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Johnson is a 5*.

Expect Johnson to make similar contribution as Cason Wallace or Tyty Washington.