Caleb Wilson is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he is generating some buzz after Sunday’s draft order was set with the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. The North Carolina Tar Heels forward has a lot of fans in NBA front offices, and he’s widely regarded as a top-four player in this class.
However, ESPN’s Jay Williams took his praise of Wilson even further on Monday, comparing him to two NBA legends and arguing that the North Carolina product could ultimately be the best player in the class. These lofty comparisons didn’t sit well with another NBA Draft analyst, who quickly called out Williams.
NBA Analyst Tears Into Jay Williams for Bold Caleb Wilson Comparisons
“When I first saw him this year, I thought the bar is Jermaine O’Neal and the ceiling is Kevin Garnett. Now when I watch him play, the bar seems like Kevin Garnett and the ceiling seems more like Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” Williams said on “Get Up.” “It feels like that’s where his ceiling could be.”
“Now when I watch [Caleb Wilson] play, … the bar seems like Kevin Garnett, the ceiling seems more like Giannis.” 👀@RealJayWilliams believes that Caleb Wilson can be the best NBA player out of the draft 😳 pic.twitter.com/UXiBxMIzAI
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 11, 2026
Krysten Peek, who is one of the most respected NBA Draft analysts, didn’t mince words while reacting to Williams’ assessment.
“Oh. My. God. Can we stop with these ridiculous comps, please???!! Giannis, are you kidding?” Peek wrote on X. “Let these players develop and become their own players! We’re comparing a kid to an NBA champ, finals MVP, 2x MVP, and 10x NBA all-star…this is reckless and total clickbait.”
Williams’ bold comparison for Wilson stems from the forward’s unique blend of defensive prowess, explosive athleticism, and relentless motor.
Wilson’s freshman year at North Carolina didn’t go according to plan due to injuries, but he has the size, mobility, and two-way potential that NBA scouts look for in modern forwards. Standing 6’10” with long strides and good bounce, he moves well for his height and makes an impact on both offense and defense. On defense, his quick feet and timing help him guard different positions, contest shots, and offer extra rim protection. On offense, Wilson can drive to the basket, finish plays, and score from midrange, and he has shown flashes of improved 3-point shooting.
Wilson is still developing, but he already shows the potential to be a strong two-way NBA player. His jump shot is getting better, and he already fits well into team play as a passer and cutter. With his athletic ability and growing skills, Wilson could become a dynamic forward as he gets stronger and more confident.
Wilson missed the final month of the season after sustaining a right thumb injury and a broken left hand. However, this didn’t impact his draft stock. Before the injuries, he averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per contest.
Garnett was drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and was the first player to be drafted directly out of high school since 1975. As for Antetokounmpo, he was selected as the 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
All three players Williams mentioned — O’Neal, Garnett, and Antetokounmpo — were viewed as raw prospects who had a ton of upside but needed time to develop.
