Nassir Little Commits
Nassir Little, a 6-7 small forward from Orlando, FL, has committed to play basketball at North Carolina.
Little, the No. 5 overall player in the class of 2018, took his official visit to UNC in September right after Hurricane Irma was pummeling his home town. Little and UNC moved the visit up a day so he could easily make it to Chapel Hill.
He committed to Roy Williams over the phone on Sept. 29, but announced the decision using a video Wednesday evening.
Williams is a big reason Little will be a Tar Heel.
“Roy is really respectful a great guy and my parents love him," Little said. "When he came to my school he was respectful to everybody and they all liked him and that was great too. I like his personality as well"
Little is the first Rivals Top 10 prospect to commit to UNC since Harrison Barnes did so in the fall of 2010.
"This isn't your run of the mill basketball commitment folks,” THI basketball recruiting analyst Clint Jackson said. “This is a five-star, McDonalds All-American shoo in, best of the best, elite, one-and-done probable kid. This is the number five prospect this whole nation kid."
Little, who weighs 205 pounds and attends Orlando Christian Prep, had also considered Arizona, Miami and Georgia Tech.
As for being a Tar Heel, Little sees himself contributing right away.
“Coming in as a freshman I provide a lot from the wing in terms of size and versatility," he said. "I’ve improved even more as a shooter since the last time people have seen me and I think because of all I can do I can come right in and help out.”
Little is also looking forward to playing with Rechon Black and Coby White, who are also members of UNC's class of 2018.
“They are both good players and they are both form North Carolina," Little said. "Coby can really score it and Leaky is a skilled wing who can make plays. They are both really good players and I can see myself gelling with them really well."
Jackson says this is a huge pick up for the UNC program and its Hall of Fame coach.
“What a big-time close for Roy Williams. This 5-star, elite wing is a freshman impact player. I love his motor and his athleticism, and those are two things that really jump out at you when you see him play.
“His skill level really took a huge surge over the past six months as well and he's now a full time wing.”
According to those close to Little, he will fit in well with the UNC program.
"Here is a guy who always wanted UNC and it was his childhood dream to play at UNC," Jackson said. "And with the other noise out of the way, this kid followed his heart and called Roy Williams on the phone from a restaurant and verbally committed to him. Williams yelled and screamed with excitement and he should have. It's his highest ranked commitment since Harrison Barnes."