Matthew Audilet, staff writer: If you were making predictions about Nassir Little’s draft position at the beginning of this past season and you said he wouldn’t be a lottery pick, you would get some funny looks. Now it looks as though the Tar Heel forward may barely even crack the top 10.
Coming out of high school, Little was ranked third in his class by 247Sports, and many outlets had him going somewhere in the top five of the 2019 draft.
While Little did provide valuable contributions to this year’s team, he averaged just under 10 points per game coming off the bench for head coach Roy Williams, leading many to believe his draft stock has slipped.
Still, Little has attributes that are enticing to any NBA team. His high motor and incredible athleticism make him an excellent slasher and finisher. And at 6-foot-6, 224 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is more than ready physically for the NBA game. Little's handle and ability to create his own shot are where he can improve.
Little’s build and style of play is similar to that of Hawks forward Taurean Prince. Both are excellent defenders who can guard any position. Prince is also a recently improved shooter, something Little also needs to work on if he wants to have a long NBA career.
If Little falls, expect the Washington Wizards to take him with the ninth pick. For years, the Wizards have been looking for someone to push them to Eastern Conference contention; now primed for a rebuild or retool around Bradley Beal, Little's high upside could be the infusion of talent they need.
Cameron Johnson, forward
Audilet: If Cam Johnson proved anything in his college career, it’s this: he can handle a transition. The graduate transfer arrived at UNC and had an immediate impact in his two years in Chapel Hill. With his style of play, it would be no surprise if Johnson seamlessly made the jump to the next level.
Averaging 47.5 percent from 3-point range last year and standing at nearly 6-foot-9, Johnson is an attractive pick for any team looking for a knock-down shooter with the ability to shoot over smaller defenders. His skillset makes him a perfect piece to pair with players who can draw more than one defender, freeing him out on the wing for open shots.
The most immediate concern teams may have with Johnson is his age; at 23 years old, he's older than some young NBA stars. On the other hand, Johnson is a lower risk than others, as teams don’t have to wonder whether he’ll reach his potential: he’s seemingly already there.
Johnson’s upside is similar to that of Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton. Neither will dazzle you with athletic ability, but both have a smooth jumper and the option to pull up over smaller defenders from beyond the arc.
With the 21st pick and a desperate need for three-point shooting, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be an ideal landing spot for Johnson. Opposing defenses would have to focus most of their energy on Russell Westbrook and Paul George, making Johnson a great scoring option on the wing.
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Luke Maye, forward
Andrew Reynolds, staff writer: Though he's not expected to be drafted, Maye has worked out with multiple NBA teams, the most interesting of which is the Charlotte Hornets, Maye’s hometown team that has the 52nd pick in the draft.
As far as NBA comparisons, Kris Humphries comes to mind, a player that didn't receive significant minutes but contributed in multiple categories. Humphries posted a career 46.3 percent shooting from the field while averaging 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at the power forward spot.
Maye's smaller build for his position and lack of athleticism have been well documented, but his aggressiveness crashing the boards, which lead to him posting double digits rebounds in the ACC, will help any NBA team. Maye’s leadership and high basketball IQ will also help his NBA chances moving forward.
@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com
