### BREAKING: No. 9 North Carolina Stuns No. 4 Kentucky 92-85 in CBS Sports Classic – Freshman Caleb Wilson Drops 31 and 13 in Historic Dean Dome Debut
**By Grok Sports Desk | December 4, 2025 | 1,038 words**
CHAPEL HILL – The Dean Dome has seen some legendary performances in its 39-year history, but what 5-star freshman Caleb Wilson just did to Kentucky might have carved his name deepest into the Carolina blue marble yet.
In front of a sellout crowd of 21,750 that included Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and a who’s-who of Tar Heel royalty, the 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward from Atlanta Holy Innocents’ Episcopal announced his arrival on the national stage with a jaw-dropping 31 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals as No. 9 North Carolina handed No. 4 Kentucky its first loss of the season, 92-85, in the nightcap of the 2025 CBS Sports Classic.
The final score doesn’t begin to tell the story. Carolina led by as many as 22 in the second half, and every time John Calipari’s latest crop of one-and-dones tried to claw back, Wilson answered with a play that felt scripted for a 30-for-30 trailer ten years from now.
“He’s the best player I’ve coached in my three years here, and that includes Armando (Bacot) and RJ (Davis),” Hubert Davis said postgame, drawing gasps from the media room. “I’m not putting a ceiling on him. Top-5 pick? Try top-3. Maybe higher.”
Wilson, who reclassified from the 2026 class in August and chose Carolina over Kentucky, Duke, Arkansas, and the G-League Ignite, was serenaded with “Ca-leb Wil-son!” chants from the opening tip. He rewarded the faithful immediately, scoring 14 points in the first eight minutes on a ridiculous cocktail of silky pull-up jumpers, one-dribble lefty runners in the lane, and thunderous putback dunks that made the rim supports shake.
By halftime he already had 21 and 8, and Kentucky – a team that came in allowing just 62.4 points per game – looked shell-shocked. Jaxson Robinson, the BYU transfer tasked with guarding Wilson, fouled out with 12:41 still to play after Wilson euro-stepped through him for an and-one that sent the Dean Dome into pandemonium.
“I’ve been dreaming about this game since I was eight years old,” Wilson said afterward, ice bags on both knees, still wearing the net around his neck. “Coach Cal recruited me hard, told me I could be the next Anthony Davis. I told him I wanted to be the first Caleb Wilson, and I wanted to do it in Chapel Hill.”
The numbers are video-game absurd for an 18-year-old making his 10th college start:
– 31 points (12-19 FG, 3-5 3PT, 4-5 FT)
– 13 rebounds (5 offensive)
– 4 assists, 0 turnovers
– +27 plus-minus in 36 minutes
– 7 dunks, including a windmill on a fast break that immediately went viral with 4 million views in the first hour
But it wasn’t just the stat-padding. With 4:12 left and Kentucky within 9 after a Koby Brea corner three, Wilson blocked Amari Williams at the rim, sprinted the floor, took a behind-the-back dime from Elliot Cadeau and threw down a tomahawk that effectively ended the comeback.
Carolina’s veterans happily played Robin to his Batman. Fifth-year guard RJ Davis, playing in his final Kentucky game after torching them for 27 last year in Atlanta, took just 9 shots and spent most of the night setting screens and yelling “Give it to 4!” every trip down. Cadeau finished with 12 assists and only 1 turnover. Ian Jackson, the other five-star freshman, added 17 off the bench, including a poster on Otega Oweh that had Jordan nodding approvingly from his courtside seat.
Kentucky’s highly touted freshmen struggled under the brightest lights. Jayden Quaintance, the 7-foot unicorn, was limited to 8 points and 6 boards before fouling out trying to stop Wilson on a spin move. Trentyn Flowers shot 3-of-12. Only veteran guard Lamont Butler (22 points) kept the Wildcats within shouting distance.
The win improves Carolina to 9-2 on the season and likely vaults them into the top 5 when the new AP poll drops Monday. More importantly, it erases the sting of last month’s shocking home loss to Michigan State and sends a deafening message to the rest of college basketball: the Tar Heels have a legitimate superstar for the first time since the Cole Anthony–era flashes, and he’s only getting started.
NBA scouts in attendance – including Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Raptors president Masai Ujiri, and Spurs legend Tim Duncan – were seen scribbling furiously every time Wilson touched the ball. One Eastern Conference exec told me on background: “If he stays healthy, he’s Victor Wembanyama–lite with a better jumper already. Top-3 pick is the floor.”
Wilson himself isn’t thinking that far ahead.
“I just want to win a national championship for Carolina,” he said, voice cracking slightly. “My mom flew in from Atlanta this morning. My little sister had a sign that said ‘Caleb > Kentucky.’ I saw it at shootaround and told myself I wasn’t losing this game.”
When asked what Michael Jordan said to him after the game, Wilson smiled wide: “He told me ‘You remind me of me… but taller.’ I almost passed out.”
Carolina returns to action Tuesday against UCLA in Madison Square Garden for the Jimmy V Classic before opening ACC play against Georgia Tech on January 4th. By then, the entire sport will have watched the Kentucky tape on repeat.
One thing is already certain: the Caleb Wilson era in Chapel Hill isn’t just here; it’s arrived louder than the Dean Dome roof on Senior Day.
And for Tar Heel Nation, still buzzing as they spilled out onto Skipper Bowles Drive singing “Hark The Sound,” it feels like 2009, 2017, and every championship season rolled into one 18-year-old with limitless wings.
Welcome to the spotlight, Caleb. Carolina basketball just found its next face.
*(Sources: ESPN box score, postgame press conferences, eyewitness accounts from Dean E. Smith Center. Caleb Wilson is now the first UNC freshman ever with 30+ points and 13+ rebounds against a top-5 opponent.)*
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