UNC Recruiting: Why Nassir Little chose the Tar Heels

Choosing North Carolina not that difficult for five-star prospect Nassir Little

Five-star small forward Nassir Little committed to the University of North Carolina on Wednesday night, giving the program its first top-10 recruit since Justin Jackson in 2014.

Little made his announcement via Twitter, posting a video of himself in a North Carolina jersey and emphatically tweeting “COMMITTED!!”.

The talented wing reportedly committed to head coach Roy Williams on September 29th, but waited until Wednesday to make his decision public. And according to Little, Williams is one of the biggest reasons that he chose to join the Tar Heels next year.

"“Roy is really respectful a great guy and my parents love him,” Little told Rivals. “When he came to my school he was respectful to everybody and they all liked him and that was great too. I like his personality as well”"

The 6-foot-7, 205-pound Little averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game as a junior, leading Orlando Christian Prep to the Class 3A state title.

Not only does Little possess the necessary skill to excel at the next level, he’s got the confidence as well.

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"“Coming in as a freshman I provide a lot from the wing in terms of size and versatility,” he told Rivals. “I’ve improved even more as a shooter since the last time people have seen me and I think because of all I can do I can come right in and help out.”"

Little also acknowledged the other members of North Carolina’s 2018 recruiting class and emphasized the impact that they had on his decision to become a Tar Heel.

"“They are both good players and they are both form North Carolina,” Little said. “Coby can really score it and Leaky is a skilled wing who can make plays. They are both really good players and I can see myself gelling with them really well.”"

Little also noted that he wanted to play basketball at North Carolina from the time that he was a child, even telling his parents that he liked the Tar Heels’ style of play.

"“Growing up, North Carolina had always been that school that I liked watching play and I always told my mom and dad I wanted to go there because of the way they play,” Little told Rivals. “I never thought that I would have the chance to play there but now that I do it’s amazing.”"

His decision certainly didn’t come down to a lack of options, given that he had collected nearly 40 scholarship offers before making a choice. Little chose North Carolina over offers from Arizona, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Ohio State and Pittsburgh, among others.

Last month, Little announced his list of finalists which included Arizona, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami and North Carolina. Arizona and Miami, though, were seemingly eliminated upon the news of the ongoing FBI probe that alleges mass corruption, bribery and wire fraud involving illegal dealings with shoe companies.

In the end, it was North Carolina who walked away from the heated recruiting battle with its highest ranked commit in better than four years.

Next: North Carolina has the No. 1 recruiting class in 2018

Little is the No. 9 prospect in the 2018 class according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s ranked fourth among small forwards in the class and he’s the No. 2 player in the state of Florida.