# Caleb Wilson Shines as UNC Dominates Winston-Salem State in Exhibition Rout: Freshman Star Speaks on Aggressive Mindset and Season Goals
**Chapel Hill, N.C. – October 30, 2025** – In their final tune-up before the 2025-26 regular season, the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels delivered a commanding performance, blasting Division II Winston-Salem State University 95-53 in an exhibition game at the Dean E. Smith Center. The blowout victory highlighted the potential of UNC’s revamped roster, particularly five-star freshman forward **Caleb Wilson**, who posted his second consecutive double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds while adding three blocks and a steal.
Wilson, the highly touted Atlanta native and projected top-10 NBA Draft pick, was the centerpiece of the night. He electrified the home crowd with a thunderous one-handed poster dunk in the first half, rebounding his own miss and powering through a defender for the highlight-reel finish. The 6-foot-9 phenom shot 9-of-13 from the field, including several aggressive drives and high-low connections with transfer center Henri Veesaar.
After the game, Wilson addressed the media with the poise of a veteran, emphasizing the team’s need for consistent intensity. “We got to pick it up. We got to be some dogs – be at Carolina playing soft. That’s what the coach said to us, Coach Davis, and you know, we implemented it,” Wilson said, referring to head coach Hubert Davis’s halftime message that sparked a dominant second half.<grok:render card_id=”d7ddc2″ card_type=”image_card” type=”render_searched_image”>
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<argument name=”caption”>”Caleb Wilson posterizes a Winston-Salem State defender with a thunderous dunk during UNC's exhibition win on October 29, 2025.”</argument>
<argument name=”size”>”LARGE”</argument>
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The Tar Heels started strong, jumping to an 18-5 lead as WSSU missed their first seven shots against UNC’s length. However, sloppy play allowed the Rams to claw back, trailing just 39-26 at halftime despite UNC’s inefficient 3-of-12 shooting from three and turnovers. Wilson carried the load early, scoring 17 points in the first half on 7-of-10 shooting.
The second half was a different story. Carolina exploded for 56 points, shooting 55.9% overall and 45% from deep (9-of-20). A 21-2 run early in the period blew the game open, turning a competitive exhibition into a rout. “Your opponent shouldn’t determine your play. I feel like we didn’t come out aggressive enough,” Wilson reflected on the first-half lulls. “Once we picked it up, it was good for us.”
Wilson’s chemistry with Veesaar, a 7-foot transfer from Arizona, stood out. The duo combined for high-low actions that overwhelmed WSSU’s frontcourt. Coach Davis praised their bond: “To be early in the season, they really have a chemistry where it feels like they have played together a couple of years… It’s so beneficial to have older players show the way to younger players.”
Other contributors included Jarin Stevenson (11 points, 6 rebounds off the bench), Seth Trimble (10 points), Veesaar (10 points), and Jaydon Young (9 points, including three straight threes). Twelve Tar Heels scored in total, showcasing depth.
On his viral dunk – where he stared down the defender before slamming it home – Wilson was nonchalant: “When I’m about to dunk on somebody, I look them in their face. If they make the decision to jump, that’s on them.” He rated it a “7 out of 10,” teasing more posters ahead.<grok:render card_id=”54babf” card_type=”image_card” type=”render_searched_image”>
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<argument name=”caption”>”Caleb Wilson rises for one of his monster dunks against Winston-Salem State, showcasing his elite athleticism.”</argument>
<argument name=”size”>”LARGE”</argument>
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Wilson revealed his personal benchmark: “20 and 10 is my goal every game. As long as I get that, I feel like I did somewhat all right.” Coming off a 22-point, 10-rebound effort in UNC’s exhibition loss at BYU, he’s already met that standard twice. “I’ve got a lot of confidence. I work really hard, so confidence is going to come with it. I feel like I’m one of the best players in the country, so I’m not going to shy away from the light,” he declared.
The freshman also discussed adjusting to playing alongside a true big like Veesaar: “I’ve got to learn how to play with a seven-footer. I’ve always been the tallest guy on the court… Now I’ve got to learn how to throw lobs and make good bounce passes.”
Coach Davis addressed the halftime adjustments: “The lack of energy, effort, attention to detail wasn’t there in the first half… That was the exact opposite in the second half.” He highlighted defensive discipline and rebounding as keys to the turnaround.
For Winston-Salem State, coached by former Ram Corey Thompson, it was a tough night against superior size. Lance Gill led with 14 points, but the Rams shot just 28.2% overall.
This win capped UNC’s preseason, following a narrow loss to BYU. With Wilson emerging as a cornerstone – alongside veterans like Trimble and transfers adding versatility – expectations are sky-high. Wilson is excited: “I’m excited for it… As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, be aggressive, keep getting better day by day, I feel like I have a great year.”<grok:render card_id=”d1c32e” card_type=”image_card” type=”render_searched_image”>
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<argument name=”caption”>”Caleb Wilson poses in his UNC uniform, ready to dominate the 2025-26 season.”</argument>
<argument name=”size”>”LARGE”</argument>
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As the Tar Heels prepare for their opener against Central Arkansas on November 3, followed by a marquee matchup with Kansas, Wilson’s confident demeanor and on-court dominance signal a new era in Chapel Hill. If his exhibition performances are any indication, the freshman phenom is poised to become a household name – and a nightmare for opponents.
The Dean Dome debut for this group was electric in stretches, and with Wilson’s “be some dogs” mentality echoing Davis’s challenge, UNC looks primed for a deep run. As Wilson put it postgame: “It starts for real on Monday.” Tar Heel fans couldn’t agree more.
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