Nassir Little up to 3rd on Sports Illustrated’s 2019 NBA Mock Draft

The 2018 NBA Draft hasn’t even taken place yet, but that hasn’t stopped Sports Illustrated from releasing an early look at what the 2019 draft might look like. For Carolina fans, the attention obviously turns to Nassir Little. The incoming freshman is one of the highest rated players in the country, and his name is going to get mentioned a lot when it comes to the idea of him being a one-and-done.

SI definitely supports that theory by placing Little third on their mock draft board for next season. They have Little being selected after R.J. Barrett and Cameron Reddish, and just ahead of Zion Williamson, who are all headed to Duke later this year.

In the write up, Sports Illustrated praises Little’s ability to score as well as his “disruptive” defensive ability. They say that he appears to be improving as a jump shooter while acknowledging that his shot selection could still use some work. He’ll have time to work on that while in Chapel Hill.

Getting a talent like Little in Chapel Hill is obviously thrilling, even if it means he won’t be expected to stick around longer than one season. If Little continues to show the kind of promise that was on display in the McDonalds All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic then there is little reason to think he won’t seek out greener, compensated pastures after a one-year pitstop.

Little is the only Carolina player whose name currently appears on Sports Illustrated’s early look at next year’s draft. Seniors Kenny Williams and Luke Maye will also be interested in throwing their hats into the ring, assuming that Maye returns to school this upcoming year.

What do you think of SI’s early look at next year’s draft? Do you think Little’s ranking makes sense here? Let us know in the comments below.