Caleb Wilson, the rookie forward for the Chicago Bulls, continued to demonstrate his shooting confidence during Wednesday’s 133-127 loss to the New York Knicks at the United Center, despite ongoing struggles with 3-point accuracy. Wilson, who took multiple shots from beyond the arc throughout the game, converted three of his attempts against the Knicks but overall is shooting 22.2% from deep this season.

Wilson, a member of the 2026 draft class, leads all rookies in total 3-point attempts, having taken 36 shots from long range, though others such as Sacramento Kings’ Darius Acuff Jr. have a higher average per game. Among Bulls players, Wilson ranks second in attempts behind Norman Powell, who averages 8.2 shots from beyond the arc per game, while Wilson averages 7.2.

Bulls coach Tiago Splitter has emphasized the importance of encouraging Wilson to continue shooting despite his current low percentage. Splitter views this phase as a natural aspect of a young player's adjustment to the NBA and has encouraged Wilson to maintain his offensive aggressiveness. “If you’re open, you’ve got to shoot it,” Splitter said, underscoring that practice and experience are integral to development.

Wilson himself acknowledges the steep learning curve in adapting to the NBA’s pace, particularly in recognizing fleeting opportunities to shoot. “Playing in the NBA is so different than every other level of basketball I’ve played before,” he said. “You might be wide open for a second, and then a closeout comes and you’re not.”

Before entering the league, Wilson’s 3-point shooting was widely questioned. His lone collegiate season at North Carolina featured limited attempts with modest efficiency, making just 7 of 27 shots from deep. However, Wilson drew attention by hitting seven 3-pointers during his summer league debut, showcasing his potential as a shooter. Since then, his shooting has evened out, but he remains confident in his ability to improve throughout the season.

During Wednesday’s game, Wilson displayed his characteristic confidence late in the fourth quarter, draining a deep 3-pointer in transition after multiple misses earlier in the contest. This resilience and trust in his shot selection are key reasons why Splitter is reluctant to limit his shooting attempts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rhythm and confidence.

Wilson remains unfazed by early setbacks, expressing certainty that his shooting percentage will improve with time. “No, because I know who I am,” he stated. “It’s the beginning of my first year in the NBA. You expect some type of hardship no matter what. It’s just like starting a new job.”

As Wilson continues to adjust to the professional level, his coaching staff and the player himself appear aligned in prioritizing long-term development over short-term results, signaling patience as he works to establish his role within the Bulls’ offense.