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UNC Basketball: Nassir Little projected high in ESPN’s 2019 mock draft

By Bryson Gordon

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts at the start of the second half against the Lipscomb Bisons during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts at the start of the second half against the Lipscomb Bisons during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The incoming freshman has the highest expectations of any UNC recruit in recent history. Now it’s time to see if Nassir Little can live up to those.

It’s starting to look like 2018 has been the year of Nassir Little. He dominated the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, and he’s making leaps in the player rankings for his class.

And now he just received more admiration from ESPN this weekend. Jonathan Givony did a mock draft for the 2019 draft and Little was near the top of the list. Actually, he was projected as the No. 2 overall pick to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have the Sacramento Kings’ pick in next year’s draft.

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Now, whether or not he fits in Boston isn’t the argument. It’s the fact that he is in the top three. You would have to go back to 2005 to find a Tar Heel who was taken in the top three of the NBA draft.

Little has been drawing some incredible comparisons in recent months. Some people have compared him to Kawhi Leonard. That is obviously a lofty comparison, but Little possesses that kind of special talent. He has the physical tools that warrant that kind of comparison, but he also has the raw talent that proves he can make the leap to become even better.

Givony also has the Tar Heels’ Cameron Johnson in the top-60, at No. 52 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers. Johnson recently announced his intentions to return to UNC, leaving the Tar Heels’ starting five up for debate.

Will Little have a spot in the starting lineup at North Carolina? Or will Roy Williams go small again in order to put Little and Johnson in the starting rotation? We will have plenty of time to get answers to those questions, but there is one thing that isn’t up for debate: The Tar Heels have deep talent on the wings.

They bring in Little to go with Johnson and Kenny Williams. They will also have deeper reserves like Brandon Robinson and freshman guard Rechon Black.

If Little lives up to the hype at North Carolina, a top-five pick in next year’s draft should be in order for the Florida native. And if Little is good enough to go top-five, the Tar Heels might have a chance at another Final Four.

Related Story: Cameron Johnson undergoes hip procedure

Stick with Keeping It Heel throughout the offseason for updates on Little, Johnson, and everything North Carolina basketball.

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