Chicago Bulls legend Horace Grant has praised rookie Caleb Wilson as a 'beast' with a killer mindset after the No. 4 pick's standout Summer League performance. Grant, a four-time NBA champion, told Kyle Odegard of Action Network that Wilson has all the intangibles and skillset but loves his dog-like approach to getting buckets. He added that Wilson looks like the Bulls' best draft pick since Derrick Rose, though he's not putting him on the same level as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and himself just yet. The Bulls selected Wilson with the No. 4 pick in this year's NBA draft, and he immediately looked like a star in the 2026 NBA Summer League, earning First Team honors after averaging 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals in five games. He scored 35 points in his first game, which was the second-most for a player making his Summer League debut. The UNC product has already been compared to players like Tracy McGrady, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Garnett. The Bulls might finally have their first real star since Rose.
What did Horace
Grant say about Caleb Wilson's potential? Grant said Wilson has the mindset of a killer, a dog, and goes out and gets it on the court. He praised the rookie's intangibles and skillset but emphasized that what stands out most is Wilson's aggressive, take-charge mentality. Grant added that he's excited to see the Bulls next season with Wilson, Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis as the main guys. He also noted the Bulls acquired Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets and signed Norman Powell in free agency. While they might not be contenders just yet, Grant believes the Bulls could be one of the most exciting teams to watch next season.
How did Caleb
Wilson react to being compared to Kevin Garnett? After Garnett called him the 'Little Ticket' as an homage to his own 'Big Ticket' nickname, Wilson had a blunt reaction. Speaking to reporters after the end of the 2026 NBA Summer League, Wilson said via Elias Schuster of Sports Illustrated that he doesn't really care much about the comparison. He feels like he and Garnett have some similarities but are much different players. Wilson doesn't want to be compared to a Hall of Famer because it messes up his expectations around the world. He just has expectations of being Caleb Wilson, not living up to someone else's legacy. It was a mature answer that didn't dismiss Garnett's comments but showed his desire to carve his own path in the NBA.
What does this mean for the Chicago
Bulls' future? The Bulls' recent form shows they lost their last three games, including a 149-128 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on April 13, 2026. Their last five games record is 2W-0D-3L (LLLWW, most recent first). However, with Wilson's Summer League breakout, plus the additions of Giddey, Buzelis, Claxton and Powell, there is growing optimism about the team's trajectory. Fans can check the upcoming schedule to see when the Bulls next take the court as they look to build around their promising young core.