After lighting up the McDonald’s All-American game and garnering considerable preseason hype, Nassir Little has been less-than-impressive early in his stint at North Carolina. Roy Williams is known for limiting freshmen minutes, which hasn’t helped.
Little seems best as a small-ball four, where his strong frame and slashing ability shine. He’s also a viable pull-up shooter with the defensive tools to defend multiple positions, which contributes to his NBA appeal. It’s too early to jump ship, even after a disappointing start to the season.
The Cavs are at rock bottom and full-on rebuilding, with or without Kevin Love. Little gives them another intriguing cornerstone to develop alongside Collin Sexton — a pairing that emphasizes toughness and effort.