Caleb Wilson maneuvered around a screen during the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls’ 133-127 loss to the New York Knicks. Despite needing minimal space, he confidently attempted the shot. Yet, the ball fell short, grazing the rim at the United Center.
This scenario is familiar for Wilson. Prior to Wednesday’s game, his three-point shots were not connecting consistently. He managed to hit only eight of his 36 attempts from behind the arc, resulting in a 22.2% success rate. However, he did make three of these shots against the Knicks.
Takeaways from the Bulls’ Loss
Despite his accuracy struggles, Wilson ranks as the second-most-active shooter on the Bulls, averaging 7.2 shots per game from deep. He trails only Norman Powell, who averages 8.2 shots. Within the 2026 rookie class, Wilson’s three-point attempts are unmatched, except by Darius Acuff Jr. of the Sacramento Kings, who averages 8.5 shots.
Most of Wilson’s attempts haven’t converted, yet Coach Tiago Splitter urges him to keep shooting. Splitter views this as an essential step in a young player’s NBA experience.
“It’s part of their development. If you’re open, you’ve got to shoot it. You practice it every day and you’ve got to take them.” – Tiago Splitter
This mindset forms a cornerstone of Wilson’s season. Splitter values his forward’s creativity in both shooting and passing. The coach emphasizes that players should know the difference between a good and bad shot, particularly as Wilson shapes his playing style.
Adjusting to NBA’s Pace
Wilson is gradually understanding this lesson after his first NBA week. The league’s athletic demands include physicality and finishing at the rim, but also mastering the speed of play.
“Honestly, it’s just a comfort-level thing,” Wilson said. “Playing in the NBA is so different from other levels of basketball I’ve played. You might be wide open for a second, and then a closeout comes and you’re not.”
Since entering his rookie year, improving his three-point shot was a top priority. During his time at North Carolina, Wilson attempted only 27 three-point shots, making seven for a 25.9% success rate. This combination of low volume and success prompted many questions during the draft process.
Wilson made seven three-pointers in his summer league debut, aiming to make an impact. His shooting performance normalized afterward, but he remains focused on proving himself throughout the season.
“I’m just going to keep proving I’m a shooter,” Wilson said.
Confidence in Adversity
In the fourth quarter against the Knicks, Wilson confidently attempted another three-pointer at the top of the key. This time, the ball hit its mark, bolstering his coach’s belief in him.
Splitter encourages Wilson’s confidence, as he remains unfazed by previous misses. The rookie trusts in his ability and believes improvement will come with time.
When asked about maintaining confidence despite low success rates, Wilson expressed no concerns.
“No, because I know who I am,” he stated. “It’s the start of my first year in the NBA. Some challenges are expected. It’s like starting any new job.”
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