Caleb Wilson Breaks Records As North Carolina Tops Georgia Tech

Caleb Wilson’s Atlanta homecoming turned into a showcase of history-making basketball as No. 16 North Carolina powered past Georgia Tech 91-75 in Atlantic Coast Conference play on January 31, 2026. The freshman forward, a 6-foot-10 native of Atlanta, delivered a dazzling 22-point performance that not only led his team to a crucial road win but also etched his name into the Tar Heels’ record books in front of a lively McCamish Pavilion crowd.

For Wilson, the night was about more than just scoring. It was about milestones, resilience, and a little bit of showmanship. After being held scoreless for the first 12 minutes, he exploded for 14 of North Carolina’s final 24 points in the first half, including a thunderous one-handed alley-oop dunk from Kyan Evans and a two-handed slam in transition. By halftime, Wilson had racked up 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, adding two assists and a block, helping the Tar Heels to a commanding 52-37 lead. "For anybody being able to come back home is a big deal... he grew up, with traffic, 25 minutes from here," UNC coach Hubert Davis said after the game. "And I think one of the things that did help is, we already had played in Atlanta [against] Ohio State, so it was the second time here... I felt like he came in more settled this time."

Wilson’s stat line was impressive: 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (including 1-for-3 from three-point range), four assists, four rebounds, a block, and a steal. But the records he set were even more remarkable. Wilson became the first Tar Heel to score in double figures in each of his first 21 career games, breaking the previous mark set by Rashad McCants in 2002-03. He also surpassed Tyler Hansbrough’s freshman record by notching his 15th 20-point game, a feat Hansbrough accomplished 14 times in 2005-06. Wilson now leads the nation with 62 dunks this season, adding three more to his tally in front of friends, family, and a hometown crowd.

North Carolina’s dominance wasn’t a one-man show. Junior center Henri Veesaar bounced back from a rough outing at Virginia, posting a powerful double-double with 20 points (on 8-of-15 shooting), 12 rebounds, and four blocks. His presence on the boards and rim protection were instrumental, and he now ties Wilson for the ACC lead in double-doubles at 11 apiece. "I mean, 12 rebounds today — that’s just something we need him to consistently be able to do," Davis commented, highlighting the focus on rebounding in practice leading up to the game.

Senior guard Seth Trimble also stepped up, pouring in 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting and grabbing five rebounds. Off the bench, Luka Bogavac contributed 16 points, hitting 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep, including a pair of clutch threes in the second half. North Carolina’s backcourt, often overshadowed by the frontcourt stars, combined for a season-high 19 rebounds, with Jonathan Powell leading the way at seven.

As a team, the Tar Heels executed with efficiency and poise. They shot 50% from the field in the first half and finished the game hitting 91.6% from the free-throw line (11-of-12), their best mark of the season after struggling from the stripe all year. North Carolina also took care of the basketball, committing just two turnovers while forcing 12 from Georgia Tech and converting those into 18 points. On the glass, the Tar Heels matched the Yellow Jackets nearly board for board, finishing with a 39-38 edge and holding Georgia Tech to just 12 second-chance points on nine offensive rebounds. This marked a significant improvement after allowing 34 offensive boards in their previous two games combined.

The contest began with a flurry, as North Carolina jumped to a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes, only for Georgia Tech to respond with an 8-0 run led by Baye Ndongo. Ndongo, the Yellow Jackets’ star forward, was relentless, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. However, the Tar Heels responded with an 18-6 run midway through the first half, seizing a double-digit lead they would not relinquish. By halftime, North Carolina was firmly in control, and despite a few defensive lapses in the second half — including back-to-back open threes by Georgia Tech — the Tar Heels never allowed the home team to get closer than 12 points.

Georgia Tech, coached by Damon Stoudamire, dropped its third straight game and sixth in its last seven, falling to 11-11 overall and 2-7 in ACC play. Kam Craft added 15 points and Kowacie Reeves Jr. chipped in 14, but the Yellow Jackets struggled with efficiency, shooting just 45% from the field and making only 18 of 48 shots outside of Ndongo. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, a Georgia Tech graduate, was in attendance, but even his support couldn’t spark a comeback for the home side.

Defensively, North Carolina showed growth, especially in handling ball screens and limiting rotations. "Defensively, we had some mistakes in both halves," Davis admitted. "But, overall, I thought we did a really good job of limiting them on getting into rotations off of ball screens." Despite a sleepy second half that saw Georgia Tech nearly match North Carolina’s scoring output (38-39), the Tar Heels’ early lead and balanced attack proved insurmountable.

Looking ahead, North Carolina (now 17-4 overall, 5-3 ACC) returns home for a crucial stretch, hosting Syracuse on February 4 before a marquee matchup with No. 4 Duke on February 8. Georgia Tech (11-11, 2-7 ACC) heads west for two straight games in California, searching for answers as their season teeters on the brink.

For the Tar Heels, the win was more than just another notch in the victory column. It was a statement of resilience, depth, and the emergence of a freshman phenom whose star continues to rise. With Wilson and Veesaar leading the way, North Carolina’s ambitions in the ACC — and beyond — remain firmly within reach.