UNC star Caleb Wilson still not cleared as Duke rematch looms

CHAPEL HILL, NC — Star freshman Caleb Wilson is rising observe work for No. 17 North Carolina forward of the rivalry recreation at No. 1 duke however has but to be cleared for 5-on-5 motion because of his hand fracture, coach Hubert Davis mentioned Thursday.

The 6-foot-10 high-end NBA prospect has missed six video games since he harm his left, non-shooting hand in a Feb. 10 loss at Miami. Davis mentioned earlier this week that Wilson had shed his solid and had been doing noncontact work like dribbling and capturing.

“He is progressing,” Davis mentioned Thursday. “He’s been doing individual workouts. Since we played on Tuesday, we didn’t have practice yesterday and we’ll practice today. He’ll do more today. But other than that I don’t have any other information.”

North Carolina is 5-1 with out Wilson, who’s averaging 19.8 factors and 9.4 rebounds. The harm within the Miami loss got here days after he had 23 factors in an exhilarating win in opposition to the Blue Devils on Seth Trimble‘s last-second 3-pointer.

The ultracompetitive rookie has mentioned in social media posts that he intends to return this season.

“Caleb really wants to play, he wants to get back as soon as he can,” Trimble mentioned Thursday. “So nothing really surprises me anymore.”

The Tar Heels (24-6, 12-5) are already locked into the No. 4 seed at subsequent week’s ACC match. If Wilson misses Saturday’s journey to Cameron Indoor Stadium, UNC’s quarterfinal opener in Charlotte would mark 30 days after his harm.

Duke (28-2, 16-1) has gained seven straight for the reason that Feb. 7 loss at UNC, together with a neutral-court win in opposition to then-No. 1 Michigan and final weekend’s 26-point win in opposition to now-No. 13 Virginia.

“It’s a good challenge either way for our defense,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer mentioned Thursday of Wilson’s standing. “And I really want us to play our standard in who we are and what we’ve done regardless if he’s playing or not.”