UNC star freshman Caleb Wilson broke his right thumb during a non-contact drill in practice Thursday and will undergo season-ending surgery. ESPN’s Shams Charania initially reported the news, which was confirmed by the program shortly after. According to UNC, Wilson broke the thumb while dunking.

The injury comes as Wilson was reportedly nearing a return to action after fracturing a bone in his left hand in February. He had missed the past six games rehabbing the injury, but had been seen out of his cast as the fracture healed.

Head coach Hubert Davis had indicated Wilson would be doing “more” in practice Thursday when he met with media at the Dean Smith Center. When Davis spoke, Wilson had not been cleared for 5-on-5 drills.

Wilson’s season ends with him leading UNC in scoring (19.8 points per game), rebounds (9.4 per game), steals (1.5 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game). He is projected to be a top five pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, though Wilson has not officially announced his future plans.

Carolina has won five of its six games without Wilson. The Tar Heels will wrap up the regular season Saturday when they visit No. 1 Duke at 6:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

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