2019 NBA Mock Draft: Getting familiar with the top of the 2019 class
Nassir Little. 4. player. 125. . F. North Carolina
Most of the conversation about Little right now centers around limitations and shortcomings: He can’t handle his added muscle to make use of his ball skills, he can’t break into North Carolina’s starting unit, he’s not going to be a shooter, he won’t pass the Duke kids on draft boards. These are all certainly reasonable exclamations after what has been a disappointing start to Little’s freshman year. But he remains an exciting young player.
Despite underperforming at the start of the season for the Tar Heels, Little remains efficient and balanced, chipping into winning basketball. This is how things go sometimes in Chapel Hill for prodigious players. Prorate his numbers over a heavier minutes load that some of his draft classmates have already earned and he’s in line with everyone else — 22.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, a block and a steal per 40 minutes. And while the highlight plays that signify even greater upside have been infrequent, there have been plenty.
Holy hell check out this lob finish off two feet from Nassir Littlehttps://t.co/0JqCsFhEoy
— Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14) December 30, 2018
With the Hawks’ second top-eight pick (thanks, Dallas!), they nab a high-ceiling forward prospect who fits nicely alongside their current talent and brings some defensive upside Atlanta will need with Trae Young running things.