By MATT WHITFIELD
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo – Jumbo wing Caleb Wilson, one of the top 2025 recruits at Team USA Men’s U18 National Team Training Camp, is thoroughly enjoying the experience, while keeping a measured thought process in his recruitment.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” he told ZAGSBLOG in an exclusive interview Saturday before being named one of 18 finalists for the team that will travel to Buenos Aires next month for 2024 Men’s U18 AmeriCup. “[I get to] learn from some of the best coaches in college basketball. They gave some tips on things I can be better at and I really appreciate it.”
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer is one of the Court Coaches at the camp. For Wilson, that gives him a unique opportunity to learn and connect with the Duke head man even more, as they are a key player in his recruitment.
“I like [being here with and being coached by Jon Scheyer],” said Wilson. “Coach Scheyer has instilled confidence with me throughout the camp. I started the camp with a knee injury and he’s helped me push through that mentally, so I appreciate him for that and he’s a good coach for sure.”
According to Wilson, Kentucky has also recently reached out, as he heard from associate head coach Alvin Brooks. Head coach Mark Pope and assistant Cody Fueger were in attendance Saturday morning as well.
“I would love to do so,” said Wilson on visiting Kentucky. “As long as they are interested in me and I see it’s a good fit for me I’m definitely interested in doing that.”
Wilson confirmed a recent Lexington Herald Leader report saying Arkansas, Auburn, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee are recruiting him the hardest. However, he added a key tidbit.
“Probably Tennessee,” said Wilson on what school he talks to the most. “[Rick Barnes] is a really cool guy. I talk to him about once a week. And he often tells me how I can get better. And I really appreciate that. I love constructive criticism.”
Wilson on Saturday said he wants to cut his list down to 8 or 10 schools in the coming weeks. And that he wants to go where he is wanted. Wilson has taken officials already to North Carolina, Kentucky (under John Calipari), Stanford, and Auburn. For now, however, Wilson uses another Atlanta native for inspiration.
“I used to play for [Anthony Edwards’s AAU team] when I was a freshman,” he said. “We have worked out a couple times. And it is just motivating to see someone from the same area go and do big things [in the NBA playoffs].
Wilson says he has not spoken to Edwards in a long time, but they had a good relationship.
“[Anthony would tell me] keep pushing,” he said. “Anthony’s a hard worker. He would get in the gym really early and leave late at night. The stories I have heard about him and he’s told me, as long as you trust the work and the process, you’ll pan out on what you’re supposed to be.”
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