Caleb Wilson appeared close to returning for No. 17 North Carolina from a fracture to his left hand, just in time for the peak of March.
Instead, the star freshman and high-end NBA prospect is abruptly done for the season after suffering a new injury.
The school announced Friday that Wilson will need surgery after breaking his right thumb in a non-contact drill suffered during Thursday’s practice. The news comes on the eve of a second matchup with No. 1 Duke, less than a week from the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and roughly two weeks from the start of March Madness.
It was a shocking change to Wilson’s trajectory as the Tar Heels’ scoring and rebounding leader inched his way back from the injury suffered in a Feb. 10 loss at Miami. He had been cleared for individual work late last week, and had shed his cast and was focusing on non-contact work like dribbling and shooting.
Before Thursday’s practice, coach Hubert Davis said Wilson was increasing his work but had yet to be cleared for 5-on-5 action.
Yet, according to the school’s release, Wilson was hurt while dunking later that day.
Wilson was averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. The team had gone 5-1 in his absence, including a home win against then-ranked Louisville and Tuesday’s win against Clemson in UNC’s home finale.
UNC (24-6, 12-5) visits Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday in its last game before the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels were already locked into the No. 4 seed at next week’s ACC Tournament with a double-round bye into Thursday’s quarterfinals.