Tar Heels Lose Star Freshman Caleb Wilson to Hand Fracture

Timetable for Wilson's return is unclear as No. 11 North Carolina faces uncertainty without their leading scorer and rebounder.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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North Carolina's freshman star Caleb Wilson has suffered a fracture in his left hand, the team announced on Thursday. Wilson, who leads the Tar Heels in scoring and rebounding, was injured during the team's loss to Miami earlier this week. The extent of the injury and Wilson's timeline for return are still being evaluated, leaving the 11th-ranked Tar Heels to figure out how to play without their high-scoring, high-flying forward as they approach the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

Caleb Wilson has been a revelation for North Carolina this season, emerging as one of the top freshmen in the country. His absence is a major blow for the Tar Heels, who will now have to adjust their lineup and game plan without their leading scorer and rebounder. This injury could have significant implications for North Carolina's seeding and performance in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The details

Wilson suffered the hand fracture during the first half of North Carolina's loss to Miami on Tuesday. He continued playing through the injury, finishing the game with a season-low 12 points. Initial X-rays taken during the game did not reveal a fracture, but further imaging after the team returned to Chapel Hill showed a break in Wilson's left hand. The Tar Heels are now in the process of determining a timetable for Wilson's return, which could range from weeks to potentially the rest of the season depending on the severity of the injury.

  • On February 10, 2026, Caleb Wilson suffered a hand injury during North Carolina's loss to Miami.
  • On February 12, 2026, North Carolina announced that Wilson had suffered a fracture in his left hand.

The players

Caleb Wilson

A freshman forward for the North Carolina Tar Heels who leads the team in scoring (19.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.4 rebounds per game). Wilson is considered a high-end NBA prospect.

Hubert Davis

The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“There is no situation.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach, North Carolina Tar Heels (wate.com)

What’s next

The Tar Heels will play their first game without Caleb Wilson on Saturday, February 15, 2026 against the Pittsburgh Panthers. North Carolina will continue to evaluate the extent of Wilson's hand injury and provide updates on his timetable for return.

The takeaway

Caleb Wilson's injury is a major setback for the 11th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, who will have to find a way to replace their leading scorer and rebounder as they approach the critical stretch run of the college basketball season and the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels' ability to adapt and overcome this adversity could determine the trajectory of their season.