UNC’s Caleb Wilson out indefinitely with fracture in left hand, says he’ll be back :: WRAL.com
With less than a month remaining before postseason play starts, North Carolina men’s basketball freshman star Caleb Wilson will miss time with a fracture in his left hand, a potentially devastating injury to the Tar Heels’ chances of postseason success.
Wilson, a do-everything forward, suffered the injury in the first half of the Tar Heels’ loss at Miami on Tuesday. Wilson fouled Miami’s Noam Dovrat on a 3-point shot with 5:34 remaining in the half and both fell to the ground. Dovrat made the 3-pointer, and Wilson grimaced as he got up.
X-rays taken during the game were negative, and Wilson returned to action in the second half with his left hand and wrist heavily taped.
Further imaging found the fracture, the school announced Thursday. Coach Hubert Davis downplayed the injury after the game, and the Tar Heels announced Wilson had a sprained left wrist on Wednesday. There is no timetable for Wilson’s return.
“I am grateful for whatever God is trying to tell me through this injury!!!” Wilson posted on social media. “I will be back Tarheel Nation. I LOVE THIS TEAM AND PROGRAM.”
I am grateful for whatever God is trying to tell me through this injury!!! I will be back Tarheel Nation… I LOVE THIS TEAM AND PROGRAM #StayTuned https://t.co/yFO7EMJ3EV
— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) February 12, 2026
A highly touted recruit from Atlanta who is expected to be a top NBA Draft pick this summer, Wilson leads the team in points (19.8 per game), rebounds (9.4 per game), steals and blocks. He has 17 20-point games for No. 11 UNC.
He leads the nation in dunks and is top five in the ACC in scoring, rebounding, field goal shooting and double-doubles.
The 11th-ranked Tar Heels (19-5 overall, 7-4 in the ACC) have seven regular-season games remaining before the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. Three of the games are against teams currently ranked in The Associated Press Top 25, including the regular-season finale at No. 4 Duke on March 7.
It is the second major in-season injury for UNC, who played without senior guard Seth Trimble for nine nonconference games after he broke his left arm in a workout. Trimble returned Dec. 20.
The Tar Heels have trailed for all but 0.4 seconds in its last two games. Trimble’s last-second 3-pointer lifted UNC past rival Duke, which had led the entire game. The Tar Heels never led in its loss to Miami.
UNC remaining schedule
Feb. 14: Pittsburgh at No. 11 UNC
Feb. 17: No. 11 UNC at NC State
Feb. 21: No. 11 UNC at Syracuse
Feb. 23: No. 24 Louisville at No. 11 UNC
Feb. 28: Virginia Tech at No. 11 UNC
March 3: No. 20 Clemson at No. 11 UNC
March 7: No. 11 UNC at No. 4 Duke
March 10-14: ACC Tournament in Charlotte
March 15: NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday
