Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Nassir Little projected as a lottery pick in 2019 NBA Draft

By Bryson Gordon

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Nassir Little fell into North Carolina’s lap following his de-commitment from Arizona. Now he’s surging up draft boards for next year.

We all know about the North Carolina Tar Heels trouble to recruit the top five-star players. Sure, there is Tony Bradley, Jalek Felton (which has not worked out well for UNC), and the entire 2014 class.

But for the 2018-19 season, they have broken that mold and will likely bring in two five-star recruits in their class.

The crown jewel of next years class for North Carolina is the 6-foot-7 small forward from Orange Park, Florida, Nassir Little. Little, currently 10th in ESPN’s top 100, has the potential to be a superstar in college.

He has size and length that is rare for an 18-year old and he is going to be the one of the best athletes that Roy Williams has gotten since Harrison Barnes.

But North Carolina is hoping that Little can become the first one-and-done to be drafted in the top ten since Brandon Wright in 2007.

On Monday,  ESPN released their early 2019 mock draft and Little made an appearance high on the list.

It is an ESPN Insider article, but Little came in as the number four overall pick in the draft. It is fairly early, but that would be the earliest selection of a Tar Heel since Marvin Williams in 2005.

Little has a chance to be an exceptional NBA player as well.

His high motor combined with his athleticism and size is what NBA scouts salivate over these days. Just a couple of players that are similar to Little, Stanley Johnson and OG Anunoby, were both first round picks in recent years.

If Little comes to UNC and thrives as a freshman, he will be an early selection just off his potential as well.

But Little is not the only Tar Heel in the mock draft.

Cameron Johnson is projected as a late second round pick as of right now. Johnson, a grad transfer, has the ability to leave after this year. Many believe that he will, and his play right now could warrant a second round pick.

Right now, he is averaging 13 points per game this season but it’s his recent play that is more impressive. In his last four games, he is averaging 19.2 per game on 46% shooting.

He is one of the reasons the Tar Heels are turning the ship around now.

Keep in mind that it is still fairly early for the 2019 draft. A lot can happen, but it looks like Nassir Little has a chance to be a high pick in the draft.

As for Cam Johnson, there is still a good chance he could leave after this year.

Related Story: How Coby White turned down Lavar Ball and Big Baller Brand.

For all updates on Little, and this Tar Heel team, stay with Keeping It Heel throughout the season!

Home/UNC Basketball