While other top draft prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are trying their best to be projected as the first pick, fellow contender Caleb Wilson’s college basketball career is meeting an untimely end, right as March Madness ensues.

According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, the North Carolina star broke his right thumb during a non-contact drill in Thursday’s practice. The UNC star has undergone surgery and will not feature further for North Carolina.

However, Wilson is likely to recover in time for the NBA Draft and is expected to clear the pre-draft process.

Caleb Wilson was having a record-breaking freshman year with the North Carolina Tar Heels, averaging 19.8 points per game, with UNC a contender for the ACC title.

This marks, potentially, the end of Wilson’s college basketball career, and the UNC faithful would be sad at the prospect of not being able to see the top draft prospect strut his stuff when madness covers the March calendar.

Fans wonder about Caleb Wilson’s NBA Draft prospects after season-ending injury

Some fans found it hard to believe Caleb Wilson would be missing his only shot at playing in March Madness. “I was really hoping this was the parody account,” they said.

While fans would hope the news isn’t real, Caleb Wilson will not be available for UNC’s ACC playoffs and the NCAA Tournament. Without Caleb Wilson, UNC head coach Hubert Davis’ task will be cut out as the Tar Heels seek postseason glory.

Talks then moved rapidly towards Wilson’s draft stock. One fan said,” Damn, that’s gonna hurt his Draft stock.”

While Caleb Wilson has risen in the draft projections and was a genuine first pick contender, his injury could see his draft stock fall, especially with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer all likely to play in March Madness.

Others, though, had a different opinion, with one highlighting how they wanted another Duke and UNC showdown featuring Boozer and Wilson. “NBA scouts won’t care about a thumb on his non-shooting hand, but man, I wanted to see him and Boozer go at it one more time,” they said.

The most recent Duke-UNC matchup produced a fine game for the neutrals, with UNC winning through a buzzer-beater. The level of gameplay on offer mesmerized the fans, especially as Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer locked horns.

The two teams are likely to meet each other in the ACC Tournament, but fans will not be seeing another Caleb Wilson vs Cameron Boozer matchup on the court, even if the two blue bloods face each other.

One fan summed up the entire scenario admirably: “That’s tough for Caleb Wilson, but if he’s cleared before the draft, scouts will still line up. Talent doesn’t disappear because of one injury.”

Darryn Peterson, despite all his fitness issues, remains a contender to become the first pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Caleb Wilson’s non-contact injury on his non-playing hand is unlikely to dissuade the scouts from recommending the explosive freshman to NBA teams.

Another fan pointed out the potential opportunity in the wake of Wilson’s injury. “This sucks, but some NBA team is going to get a bargain in the draft,” they said.

We could see Caleb Wilson drop to fourth on the draft board because of his injury, which could mean the UNC freshman heads to a big-city franchise like the Miami Heat. Regardless of where he ends up, there is a massive potential for some NBA franchises to get a steal in Wilson and his upside.