Nassir Little

Pro comparison
Similar to Jaylen Brown and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
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NBA projection 
Rotation player

Measurements
6'6" 220 lbs 7'2" wingspan 18 years old

Projectable skills

• Size/Frame - Strong/muscular build for age, will be able to defend multiple positions due to strength. 
• Athleticism - Explosive off 2 feet, can elevate for lobs or in traffic. Fairly quick with the ball, solid 1st step. Projects to handle the NBA athletically. 
• Shooting upside - Poor shooting year at 26.9% from deep, but shot mechanics look good, projects to improve. Showed flashes as a set/pull-up shooter. Shot 77% from the FT line. 
• Transition/Cutting - Moves well without the ball, can get out in the open court and finish above the rim. Does a nice job finding holes in the defense within the half-court, did most of his scoring off these actions. 
  
• Motor/Toughness - Plays with a chip on his shoulder, competitive. Is someone who will play hard within his understood role. 
  
• Versatility - Has the physical tools/skill-set to play multiple positions in the future (small ball 4, 3+D wing, etc.).
  
• Defensive ability/upside - Projects to be a versatile defender due to physical/athletic tools. 
  
• ​Rebounding - Battles on the glass, plays bigger than size, averaged 10.1 rebs per 40 mins (~5.4 offensive rebs/40 mins). 

Improvement areas

• Feel - Struggled to fit in during his time at UNC, never really got going like people hoped. Showed a lack of understanding of the offense, showcased his talent in spurts. 
• Passing - Not much of a facilitator, poor 6.4 AST%, averaged 0.7 asts to 1.3 TO's. Can get tunnel vision when attacking the basket, could improve his overall court awareness. 
• Creating ability - Can create a bit off the bounce, but could continue adding counter moves. 
• Shooting ability - Shot poorly overall, rated below average (21st/22nd percentile) on jump shots and spot-up shots. Needs to become a somewhat reliable shooter if his game is to take the next step. 
• Scoring production - Only averaged 9.8 pts and 7.6 FG's/game (in 18.2 mins/game), could've found more ways to be aggressive on the court. 

Potential Questions/Concerns

• How high is his ceiling and what are the odds he reaches it (or a portion of it)? 
• How critical is team fit? 
• Will he need to be brought along slower than other rookies? 

• What will be his most productive position in the NBA? 

Write Up
     Nassir Little was UNC's top recruit and was poised to have a breakout season, but things never really took off as anticipated. He mainly had an up and down season coming off the bench as he and UNC struggled to find the right balance on how to fully utilize him on the court. However, Little has plenty of talent and physical/athletic tools to succeed at the next level. He's a strong/powerful athlete who can develop into a 3/4 hybrid. He has a high motor and thrives on the glass, in the open court, and cutting to the basket. He still has work to do with his shot, but the mechanics aren't bad and he showed glimpses of being able to stretch the floor/pullup off the bounce. Lastly, Little is just generally a smart person, he was one of the intellectuals in the locker room and has the IQ/work ethic to capitalize on his talent. Overall, Little projects to be a more productive NBA than college player even if the numbers don't suggest it, his combination of physical tools, work ethic, and budding skill-set should prove valuable to whichever team drafts him.