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UNC Basketball: Nassir Little likely done for season with shoulder injury

By Blake Cockrum

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Nassir Little #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Moda Center on January 25, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Nassir Little #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Moda Center on January 25, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout and current Portland Trail Blazers wing Nassir Little has probably played his final game of the season.

Nassir Little was having the best month of his professional career, but he may not have a chance to build on it for the rest of this season following a left shoulder labral tear that will likely keep him on the Trail Blazers’ bench for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.

It’s an unfortunate setback for Little, who is widely considered one of the NBA’s most promising young stars thanks to his continued growth in year three. He’s started every game that he’s played in over the past month and a half, and the injuries that his team has sustained over the course of this season are not the only reason why. Simply put, Little has been really good, and he’s earned his spot among the Trail Blazers’ starters.

In a dozen January games, Little is averaging 13.1 points per game on 45.4 percent shooting overall and 40.3 percent from three-point range. He’s also averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists during that span and committing just one turnover per game despite logging better than 31 minutes a night. He’s scored double-digit points in nine of his 12 games this month, and become a consistent offensive weapon for the Blazers in the absence of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

The Blazers did not announce any timetable for Little to return to the court, but given that we’ve already hit the midway point of the season, it’s likely that his next action on the court will be some time next fall.

Little spent one season at the University of North Carolina before entering his name in the 2019 NBA Draft. Portland selected him in the first round, 25th overall, despite knowing that he was still a raw talent that needed time to develop. That gamble has begun to pay dividends, as the 21-year-old small forward made tremendous strides this season that will have the Portland organization eager to see him healthy and back on the court in the future.

Next. 2024 prospect continues to hear from Tar Heels. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Nassir Little and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA.

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