University of North Carolina Athletics
Caleb Wilson
Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ
Wilson Named To Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List
January 7, 2026 | Men's Basketball
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is one of 25 players nationally on the midseason top 25 watch list for the Wooden Award, given annually to the national player of the year.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club's Wooden Award announced its 2025-26 men's midseason top 25 watchlist on Wednesday, launching the 50th anniversary season of college basketball's most prestigious individual honor.
Wilson leads Carolina in scoring (19.3 points per game), rebounding (10.9 per game), both of which would be all-time program records for freshmen. He also leads the team in offensive rebounds, steals, free throws (made and attempted) and blocked shots. He is the first Tar Heel freshman ever to score 20 or more points in six consecutive games, he leads the ACC in rebounds and double-doubles (10) and is first in the nation among freshmen in both categories.
Selected by a midseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list comprises 25 student-athletes who are frontrunners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball: the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player.
Featuring a refined group of the nation's most impactful performers, the list highlights the players who have distinguished themselves through the heart of the college basketball season.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2026 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year. Players not selected for the list remain eligible for inclusion on the Wooden Award midseason, late-season list and the national ballot. The national ballot will feature 15 top players who have demonstrated to their universities that they meet or exceed the Wooden Award qualifications.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Wooden Award will feature special programming throughout the season with first winner and ambassador Marques Johnson, culminating in the 2026 John R. Wooden Award. Winners and All Americas will be honored at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club's Wooden Award announced its 2025-26 men's midseason top 25 watchlist on Wednesday, launching the 50th anniversary season of college basketball's most prestigious individual honor.
Wilson leads Carolina in scoring (19.3 points per game), rebounding (10.9 per game), both of which would be all-time program records for freshmen. He also leads the team in offensive rebounds, steals, free throws (made and attempted) and blocked shots. He is the first Tar Heel freshman ever to score 20 or more points in six consecutive games, he leads the ACC in rebounds and double-doubles (10) and is first in the nation among freshmen in both categories.
Selected by a midseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list comprises 25 student-athletes who are frontrunners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball: the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player.
Featuring a refined group of the nation's most impactful performers, the list highlights the players who have distinguished themselves through the heart of the college basketball season.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2026 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year. Players not selected for the list remain eligible for inclusion on the Wooden Award midseason, late-season list and the national ballot. The national ballot will feature 15 top players who have demonstrated to their universities that they meet or exceed the Wooden Award qualifications.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Wooden Award will feature special programming throughout the season with first winner and ambassador Marques Johnson, culminating in the 2026 John R. Wooden Award. Winners and All Americas will be honored at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 10, 2026.
2025-26 Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watchlist
| Full Name | School | Class | Position | Height |
| Darius Acuff Jr. | Arkansas | Freshman | G | 6-3 |
| Nate Ament | Tennessee | Freshman | F | 6-10 |
| Cameron Boozer | Duke | Freshman | F | 6-9 |
| Jaden Bradley | Arizona | Senior | G | 6-3 |
| MIkel Brown Jr. | Louisville | Freshman | G | 6-5 |
| Tucker DeVries | Indiana | Redshirt Senior | F | 6-7 |
| AJ Dybansta | BYU | Freshman | F | 6-9 |
| Kingston Fleming | Houston | Freshman | G | 6-4 |
| PJ Haggerty | Kansas State | Junior | G | 6-4 |
| Thomas Haugh | Florida | Junior | F | 6-9 |
| Graham Ike | Gonzaga | Grad Student | F | 6-9 |
| Josh Jefferson | Iowa State | Senior | F | 6-9 |
| Alex Karaban | UConn | Redshirt Senior | F | 6-8 |
| Trey Kaufman-Renn | Purdue | Senior | F | 6-9 |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan | Grad Student | F | 6-9 |
| Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State | Senior | G | 6-1 |
| Koa Peat | Arizona | Junior | F | 6-8 |
| Darryn Peterson | Kansas | Freshman | G | 6-6 |
| Labaron Philon Jr. | Alabama | Sophomore | G | 6-4 |
| Emanuel Sharp | Houston | Redshirt Senior | G | 6-3 |
| Braden Smith | Purdue | Senior | G | 6-0 |
| Bennett Stirtz | Iowa | Senior | G | 6-4 |
| Bruce Thornton | Ohio state | Senior | G | 6-2 |
| JT Toppin | Texas Tech | Junior | F | 6-9 |
| Caleb Wilson | North Carolina | Freshman | F | 6-10 |
Players Mentioned
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