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Future UNC Basketball Forward Gets Cut for Top Prep Award

Five-star UNC basketball pledge Caleb Wilson is no longer a contender for the Naismith honor.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball
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North Carolina Tar Heels

At least for one more season, 2005 UNC basketball national champion point guard Raymond Felton will remain the lone Tar Heel to have taken home the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year Trophy since its inception in 1987.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels Jump Several Spots in Latest NCAA NET Rankings

Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Ga.) forward Caleb Wilson, a UNC commit since late January, was among 10 semifinalists for this year's distinction.

But on Thursday afternoon, the Naismith Awards trimmed the list to five. And the 6-foot-9, 205-pound five-star didn't make the cut.

The finalists are five-star guard Darius Acuff (Arkansas), five-star forward AJ Dybantsa (BYU), five-star guard Darryn Peterson (Kansas), five-star forward Nate Ament (uncommitted; UNC is no longer in play), and five-star forward Cameron Boozer (Duke).

Wilson ranks No. 6 overall, No. 3 among power forwards, and No. 1 in Georgia on the 247Sports 2025 Composite.

He headlines a three-deep UNC basketball recruiting haul that currently checks in at No. 9 in the country, per 247Sports, and No. 4 in the ACC.

ALSO READ: UNC Signee Isaiah Denis Falls to Ace Flagg in State Playoffs

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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