North Carolina freshman Nassir Little announces he will declare for the NBA draft

North Carolina freshman wing Nassir Little will declare for the NBA draft as expected, he announced Monday.

He is projected to go No. 7 in the NBA draft, according to NBAdraft.net. Little, a former McDonald’s all-American, had an up-and-down season but came on strong at the end. He averaged 9.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds, while also shooting 48 percent from the floor and making the ACC’s all-academic team.

The Tar Heels’ season ended Friday with a 97-80 loss in the Sweet 16 to Auburn in Kansas City.

“I am ready now to put everything I have into being the best player I can be at the next level,” Little said in a message via Twitter and Instagram.

Little, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward, was a key player in North Carolina’s first two games of the NCAA tournament, averaging 19.5 points per game. But he was slowed after coming down with what the team described as “flu-like symptoms” before the game against Auburn. Little said he had trouble breathing and didn’t get much lift when he jumped.

“Nassir is just an outstanding young man who has been a complete pleasure to coach,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said in a statement released by the school. “Playing in the NBA has been a dream of his and everyone on our staff will continue to support his efforts in the months and years to come.”

Now North Carolina will wait for fellow freshman Coby White to make his decision. The 6-5, 185-pound guard from Goldsboro is projected to go No. 5 overall if he declares. Unlike Little, White was not expected to be a one-and-done player when he came to North Carolina but played his way into consideration.

This story was originally published April 1, 2019 at 3:21 PM.