Little Says He's Turning The Corner
CHAPEL HILL – Is the light going on for Nassir Little?
There are certainly some recent signs suggesting that may be happening and his full game is starting to come together.
The No. 2 player in the class of 2018, Little has been a hot topic in recent weeks because his game hasn’t materialized yet in the manner most projected. He was supposed to step in and start and perhaps be North Carolina’s alpha dog by this point in the season.
He was supposed to display the potential that had him as a top-five projection for next summer’s NBA draft and he was supposed to thrill fans with regularity displaying an array of breathtaking talent and skill not seen in these parts since Harrison Barnes played for the fabled Tar Heels.
Yet, that hasn’t been the case. And really, it hasn’t even come close.
Little has shown some flashes, but mostly against the lesser teams on the Tar Heels’ schedule. The numbers simply do not lie:
In UNC’s seven games versus Wofford, Elon, Tennessee Tech, St. Francis (PA), UNC-Wilmington, Davidson and Harvard, Little is averaging 19.7 minutes per game, 13.3 points while shooting 37-55 (67.3 percent) overall, including 5-12 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 turnovers.
In UNC’s six games versus Stanford, Texas, UCLA, Michigan, Gonzaga and Kentucky, Little is averaging 19.3 minutes per game, 8.0 points on 12-41 shooting (34.1 percent), including 1-13 (0.76 percent) from 3-point range, 3.3 rebounds, 0.33 assists and 1.1 turnovers.
However, in Carolina’s last two games, wins over Davidson and Harvard, Little has shown signs of overall improvement. He’s progressed on the defensive end and been more fluid offensively with the other four on the floor on offense.
Little said after Wednesday’s 77-57 win over the Crimson that time, repetition and gaining a full understanding of things are starting to pay off.
“You get more comfortable and more experienced (and) things get easier with time,” he said after scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds. “That’s how it’s starting to be right now for me.”
As recently as a loss to Kentucky nearly two weeks ago, it appeared Little was playing in drying cement too often more than being a free flowing player, which is when he’s at his best. He admits to thinking too much and not reacting, which affects a player’s first step and can nullify a gifted edge he may have.
Wednesday night, however, after Little sat before a throng of reporters answering questions almost exclusively about what he’s learned – you know, 12 different ways to ask about the light going on without asking if the light has gone on - he opened up some, letting everyone inside his mindset. Where it’s been, where it is and a glimpse of where it’s going.
Here is the rest of what Little had to say:
On how much farther along he thinks he needs to go…
“I don’t think I have a ceiling. Just as long as I keep working hard I can go as far as I want to.”
On if in what ways he’s more comfortable doing now that was less so a month ago…
“I’m more comfortable doing everything, from shooting to defense to rebounding, all of it.”
Any one element made more progress than the others…
“I think my defense has really picked up as of late. I think more not just thinking so much just kind of getting back to my roots and just playing basketball. At the end of the day, I know how to play basketball, and just kind of remember that has helped me play better.”
On thinking less and being quicker because he’s reacting more…
“Exactly. When you’re trying to learn things everything is a thought process because you’re trying to take what you’ve learned and trying to apply it to the game directly. I’ve had talks with people I had to change my mindset more and just stop being a robot and just play my game. I’ve been playing basketball for a while, and I’m an elite player so I’ve just got to play.”
On Wednesday’s game, not just his production but defense, floor game, etc…
“This was a really good game for me, especially rebounding. I had seven rebounds today (and) that’s something I want to really be good at, and I think I’m a guy that can get double doubles. So, I want to keep getting better with that and not just be a scorer, he a defender rebounder and also get better at making plays for my teammates.”
On the most difficult thing about adjusting from high school to college
“The most difficult thing is it’s not just about guarding your man. I feel like guarding your man in high school I was dominant, I guarded my guy, my guy wouldn’t score. In college, it’s a team concept where you’ve got to be in your rotations, be in your deny lanes and be on weak-side help and things like that. That’s what makes it more complicated.”
On building confidence while learning…
“When you have your coach behind you it always makes you have more confidence. Not only that, when you’re doing something good you get credit for it and it makes you want to keep doing good things.”