Freshman North Carolina forward Nassir Little has decided to declare for the 2019 NBA Draft with the intent to see out the entire process. The former five-star forward is a projected borderline lottery pick after one season with the Tar Heels.
#HighlyFavored pic.twitter.com/bsPxxtHAPo
— Nassir Little (@2ez_nassie) April 1, 2019
The announcement comes after North Carolina was eliminated from the 2019 NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16 by the Auburn Tigers. Little had flu-like symptoms before the game but still played despite the illness. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds his lone season with North Carolina. The freshman forward also shot the ball at a 48 percent clip.
Nassir Little with a block on one end ?? dunk on the other pic.twitter.com/hxyjjb2czd
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 24, 2019
The freshman saw his stock dip during his freshman year at North Carolina but has still decided to make the jump to the NBA and start his professional basketball career. His draft stock was as high as third but has taken a dip to as low as 16 in some projections.
The forward from Orange Park, Florida has good size for the NBA wing position and could provide needed depth for a borderline NBA playoff team. He checks in at 6’6″ and 220 pounds with a wingspan that measures a great 7’2″.
Nassir Little’s alley-oop slam highlights a breakout game for the standout Freshman in the No. 11 UNC 103-82 victory over No. 10 Virginia ?pic.twitter.com/ciaLCUtGFe
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 22, 2019
The forward now has to work hard at the NBA Combine and in team workouts to prove he deserves to be a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The size and ability are there, but there are some things he will need to work on before he is completely ready for NBA play. He is projected to go 9th in the third Def Pen 2019 NBA Mock Draft. This marks the fourth “one and done” under Roy Williams at North Carolina.
