Caleb Wilson Breaks Records As Tar Heels Roll Past Georgia Tech

Caleb Wilson’s homecoming to Atlanta turned into a showcase for the ages, and the No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels made sure the hometown crowd would remember it. On a chilly January 31, 2026, inside Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, Wilson poured in 22 points, led the Tar Heels to a resounding 91-75 victory over the Yellow Jackets, and etched his name into the UNC record books. The 6-foot-10 freshman phenom didn’t just put on a show—he made history, shattering two of the program’s most storied freshman marks and helping Carolina notch its third straight win in ACC play.

For Wilson, the stakes were personal. Returning to the city where he first made his name as a high school star, he faced intense defensive attention early. Georgia Tech’s double-teaming scheme held him scoreless for the first 12 minutes, but that magic didn’t last. Wilson erupted for 14 points in the final 7:45 of the opening half, including a highlight-reel one-handed alley-oop dunk off a lob from Kyan Evans that had the crowd buzzing. It was the kind of jaw-dropping play that drew comparisons to Vince Carter’s legendary leap in the same building nearly three decades ago. “That was the highlight of the year,” wrote Adam Lucas for UNC Athletics, and few in attendance would argue.

Wilson’s 22-point outburst marked his 15th 20-point game as a freshman, breaking a tie with Tyler Hansbrough for the most such games by a Tar Heel rookie. He also became the first player in UNC history to score double figures in each of his first 21 college games, surpassing Rashad McCants’ mark of 20. With three more dunks on the night, Wilson extended his nation-leading total to 62 slams this season. The records keep falling, but Wilson’s focus remains on the team. As he continues to rack up accolades, Carolina keeps climbing the standings.

The Tar Heels, now 17-4 overall and 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, put together one of their most complete performances of the season. They built a 52-37 halftime advantage, their largest lead at the break in ACC play this year, and never let Georgia Tech get within single digits in the second half. At one point, North Carolina led by as many as 21 points, leaving little doubt about the outcome as the final buzzer approached.

Henri Veesaar was a force alongside Wilson in the paint, tallying 20 points and 12 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season—a mark that now ties him with Wilson for the ACC lead. Veesaar nearly had a double-double by halftime, with 11 points and 9 boards before the break. His interior presence, combined with Wilson’s athleticism, gave Carolina a devastating one-two punch that Georgia Tech simply couldn’t match.

But this was hardly a two-man show. Seth Trimble chipped in 18 points with a steady hand, and Luka Bogavac provided instant offense off the bench, scoring 16 points and knocking down three of Carolina’s eight made three-pointers. Bogavac, who had struggled earlier in ACC play, is now finding his rhythm, posting double figures in two consecutive games for the first time since before Christmas. Jaydon Young started, but Bogavac played starter minutes—26 in total—rewarding the coaching staff’s trust with timely buckets.

North Carolina’s efficiency was on full display. The Tar Heels committed just two turnovers all game, tying a program record for the fewest ever in a contest and marking the third straight game with fewer than 10 giveaways. Remarkably, they didn’t cough up the ball a single time in the second half. On the other end, UNC’s defense forced 12 Georgia Tech turnovers, converting them into 18 points. The Tar Heels finished with a 10-steal night, matching their season high in ACC play, and held the Yellow Jackets to just 18 of 48 shooting from the rest of the roster outside Baye Ndongo.

Speaking of Ndongo, the Georgia Tech big man was a bright spot for the home team, pouring in a game-high 27 points. But his efforts weren’t enough to keep the Yellow Jackets from dropping their third straight contest and sixth in their last seven outings, falling to 11-11 overall and 2-7 in the ACC. The rest of the squad struggled to find the bottom of the net, and the Jackets never truly threatened Carolina’s double-digit cushion after halftime.

There were plenty of storylines off the court, too. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, a Georgia Tech alumnus, took in the action courtside in his signature “GT” cap. The sellout crowd included a healthy contingent of Tar Heel faithful, with UNC legends Mitch Kupchak and Kenny Smith among the spectators. Tyler Hansbrough, whose freshman record Wilson surpassed, was on the call for the Tar Heel Sports Network. Meanwhile, Dennis Scott handled ESPN duties and Mark Price was honored during a timeout. That’s a who’s who of program greats from both schools, adding a sense of history and tradition to the night’s proceedings.

Carolina’s win was its fifth in the last six meetings with Georgia Tech and improved its road record against the Jackets to 24-16. It’s been more than two decades since the Tar Heels faced a ranked Georgia Tech team in Atlanta—a testament to the changing tides in ACC basketball and the enduring power of the Carolina brand. The Tar Heels’ offensive attack has evolved, too: this season, they’ve attempted and made more three-pointers per game than ever before in school history. Against Tech, they launched 31 shots from deep, connecting on eight. If a few more had fallen, the margin might have been even wider, but as it was, Carolina’s balanced inside-out play proved more than enough.

Even the logistics of the night demanded some quick thinking. With frigid conditions outside and a famously sloped hallway leading to the visiting locker room, the Tar Heels opted to hold their halftime meeting in a cramped room at the base of the slope—proving that sometimes, working smarter beats working harder.

Looking ahead, North Carolina faces a quick turnaround. The Tar Heels will host Syracuse at the Dean Smith Center on Monday night, February 3, before welcoming No. 4 Duke in a much-anticipated rivalry clash next Saturday. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, heads west for two straight games in California, hoping to regroup after a tough stretch in conference play.

For now, though, the night belongs to Caleb Wilson and the Tar Heels. With records falling and momentum building, North Carolina’s blend of youthful star power and veteran poise has them surging as the ACC season heats up. The fans in Atlanta—and anyone watching across the country—won’t soon forget this homecoming performance.