Wilson Joins Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Caleb Wilson, a freshman forward for the University of North Carolina, has made headlines by being named to the 2026 Naismith Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. The announcement was made by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Thursday.
Impressive Season Performance
Wilson, standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, has firmly established himself as a key player for the Tar Heels this season. He currently leads the team with:
- 28 total blocked shots
- 32 steals
- 139 defensive rebounds
In addition to his defensive contributions, Wilson averages 19.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He has started in all 20 games for the Tar Heels this season.
Recognition Among Peers
Wilson is not only a standout on his own team but is also among an elite group of players. He is one of five athletes from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) featured on the watch list.
Full Naismith Watch List
The complete list includes a mix of talented players from various conferences:
| Full Name | Year | Position | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flory Bidunga | Sophomore | Forward | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Cameron Boozer | Freshman | Forward | Duke | ACC |
| Kylan Boswell | Senior | Guard | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Jaden Bradley | Senior | Guard | Arizona | Big 12 |
| Maliq Brown | Senior | Forward | Duke | ACC |
| Javontae Campbell | Senior | Guard | Bowling Green | MAC |
| Rueben Chinyelu | Junior | Center | Florida | SEC |
| Somto Cyril | Sophomore | Center | Georgia | SEC |
| Silas Demary Jr. | Junior | Guard | UConn | BIG EAST |
| Zuby Ejiofor | Senior | Forward | St. John’s | BIG EAST |
| Kyle Evans | Senior | Forward | UC Irvine | Big West |
| Zvonimir Ivisic | Junior | Center | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Joshua Jefferson | Senior | Forward | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Jaquan Johnson | Sophomore | Guard | Bradley | MVC |
| Keba Keita | Senior | Forward | BYU | Big 12 |
| William Kyle III | Senior | Forward | Syracuse | ACC |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Graduate Student | Forward | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Tamin Lipsey | Senior | Guard | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Aday Mara | Junior | Center | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Duke Miles | Graduate Student | Guard | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| Tarris Reed Jr. | Senior | Center | UConn | BIG EAST |
| Tyler Tanner | Sophomore | Guard | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| Joseph Tugler | Junior | Forward | Houston | Big 12 |
| Ernest Udeh Jr. | Senior | Center | Miami | ACC |
| Caleb Wilson | Freshman | Forward | North Carolina | ACC |
As Wilson continues to shine on the court, his selection for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List highlights his defensive capabilities and overall impact on the game. Fans of college basketball will be watching to see how his season unfolds.
