Atlanta Hawks: Reasons Nassir Little is a Top Draft Option

NCAA Production

Despite arriving at Chappell Hill as one of the nation’s top high school recruits, Nassir Little did not have the impact that many expected. He played in 36 games for the Tar Heels, but never earned a spot in the team’s starting lineup. Instead Little was an energy guy off the bench, playing just slightly over 18 mins per game. He was also deployed as a defensive stopper, using his versatility to defend multiple positions. He was the primary backup to forward Cameron Johnson, who is expected to be drafted late in round one. In hindsight, Little should have chosen another institution to hone his skills and springboard him to the NBA. UNC head coach Roy Williams is notorious for playing veteran players. He has resisted allowing his team to become a unit that thrives off of one and done talent. It is unknown what caused Nassir Little to be in coach Williams’ doghouse at times, but we certainly did not see the best that Nassir Little has to offer as a Tar Heel.

2018 Stats: Pts:9.8 REB:4 6 APG:0.7 STL:0.5 BLK:0.5 FG%:47.8 2P%:52.7 3P%:26.9 FT%:77.0

Nassir Little did provide some awesome highlights in his one season for UNC. Frankie Vision put together this wonderful highlight montage of Nassir Little, highlights that comes to us via their YouTube channel:

NBA Draft Combine

Height:6’6 Weight:224 Age:19.3

Wingspan:7’1 Standing Reach:8.9

Rank Among Wing Prospects:

Lane Agility: 25th

Shuttle Run: 10th

¾ Court sprint: 7th

Standing Vert: 31″ – 8th

Max Vert: 38.5″ – 3rd (tie)

185 Pound Bench Press Reps: 5

Nassir Little recently performed for team executives and scouts at the NBA Draft Combine.  It was a decent showing overall in the running drills, but not the spectacular performance I envisioned. Nassir Little also participated in the other combine measuring events. He was explosive in the jumping events. Additionally Nassir Little showed himself well in the shooting drills, shooting at least 50 percent from every stationary spot except three of them. Two spots on the left and the 15 foot area in the middle, are the spots that Little was sub par shooting from. Shooting off the dribble to the left, was the only moving shot that he was inadequate shooting. He failed to make a single shot from that spot. Nassir Little is believed to have interviewed very well at the NBA Combine and helped his stock overall, with his performances in testing, shooting and interviewing.

Nassir Little sat down with ESPN Draft Expert Mike Schmitz for a Film Room session. Schmitz tweeted video of the sit down from his Twitter account: