Nassir Little
Nassir Shamai Little is an American professional basketball player for the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League. Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 220 lb (100 kg), he plays the power forward and small forward positions. Little finished his high school career as one of the top-ranked players in his class, having led Orlando Christian Prep to consecutive Florida state championships. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nassir Little Bio
Nassir Little was born on February 11, 2000, in Pensacola, Florida, USA. He is an American basketball player whose size and versatility have allowed him to play both forward positions at the professional level. After four seasons in the NBA organization with the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns, Little began a new chapter overseas in 2025, signing with the Chiba Jets in Japan.
Early Life and Background
Nassir Little was raised in Florida and spent his earliest high school years close to home. He played his freshman and sophomore seasons from 2014 to 2016 at Oakleaf High School in Orange Park, Florida, where he first drew attention as a promising forward. Seeking a stronger program and a higher competitive stage, Little transferred to Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, Florida, for the remainder of his prep career.
During his junior and senior seasons from 2016 to 2018, he led Orlando Christian Prep to back-to-back Florida state championships, cementing his status as one of the elite prospects in the country. His senior-year performance at Orlando Christian Prep placed him squarely on the national recruiting radar. By the time he graduated, Little had risen to become one of the most decorated and highly rated high school players in the 2018 class.
Path to Basketball
Before ever suiting up at the college level, Little proved himself against the best young players in the United States. He stood out during the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game, posting 28 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal to lead the West past the East and claim the Most Valuable Player award. He also won MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 24 points in 25 minutes, joining LeBron James as only the second player to capture MVP awards at both prestigious high school All-American games.
Recruiting services took notice as well, with Rivals ranking him the second-best high school prospect of 2018. On October 4, 2017, Little committed to play for the University of North Carolina, choosing the Tar Heels over a deep field of suitors. His blend of scoring, athleticism, and two-way potential made him one of the most anticipated college freshmen entering the 2018–19 season.
Nassir Little Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Nassir Little enrolled at the University of North Carolina and joined a talented Tar Heels roster for the 2018–19 season. He made his debut on November 6, 2018, recording 7 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks during North Carolina’s 78–67 victory over Wofford. The performance offered an early glimpse of the scoring punch and defensive instincts he had showcased in high school.
As the season progressed, Little delivered some of his most memorable moments in a Tar Heels uniform. He scored a career-high 23 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists as North Carolina defeated Virginia Tech 103–82. At the conclusion of his freshman season, Little announced his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft, where he was widely projected to be a first-round selection.
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2023)
On June 20, 2019, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Nassir Little with the 25th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He officially signed with the team on July 1, 2019, beginning his NBA career as a developmental forward in a competitive Western Conference rotation. As a young wing, he split time between the G League affiliate and the NBA roster while adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional basketball.
On February 1, 2021, Little erupted for a career-high 30 points to go along with 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal, announcing himself as a scoring threat at the NBA level. His progress was disrupted on January 27, 2022, when he suffered a left shoulder labral tear; four days later the Trail Blazers announced he would undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season. On May 10, 2022, Little underwent abdominal surgery on his left side, and on October 17, 2022, the Trail Blazers rewarded his potential with a four-year, $28 million contract extension. In mid-April 2023, he underwent abdominal surgery on his right side, the latest in a series of injury setbacks during his Portland tenure.
Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)
On September 27, 2023, Nassir Little was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, and Keon Johnson in a three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton, and a 2029 first-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers. The trade gave him a fresh start in a new organization, though his role in Phoenix remained limited. On August 27, 2024, the Suns waived Little, ending his second NBA stint.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (2024–2025)
Following his release from Phoenix, Nassir Little briefly signed with the Miami Heat on September 24, 2024, but was waived on October 19, 2024. On October 28, 2024, he joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate. In 32 appearances with the Skyforce, Little averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, showcasing the offensive consistency that had marked him as a top prospect years earlier and keeping his professional career alive overseas.
Chiba Jets (2025–Present)
On July 16, 2025, Nassir Little signed with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, launching his career in international basketball. The move to Japan marked a new beginning for the young forward, offering an opportunity to play a featured role abroad. Playing in the B.League allows Little to expand his game against different styles of competition while continuing his professional trajectory away from the NBA spotlight.
Notable Events and Milestones
Little’s signature NBA moment came on February 1, 2021, when he scored a career-high 30 points against a league opponent, demonstrating the offensive ceiling that once made him a top recruit. His selection as the 25th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft stands as another career milestone, as does his unique distinction of joining LeBron James as only the second player to win MVP honors at both the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic in the same year.
Nassir Little Career Wins
Throughout his career, Nassir Little has accumulated team and individual success at every level he has competed. He won back-to-back Florida state championships with Orlando Christian Prep and earned MVP honors at both major high school All-American showcases. While the precise totals of his professional victories are not fully documented in available sources, his career includes notable achievements such as a four-year contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers and a productive G League campaign with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
High School and College Highlights
Little’s high school résumé includes two Florida state championships with Orlando Christian Prep and MVP honors at both the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. At the University of North Carolina, he made an immediate impact as a freshman, recording 7 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in his debut against Wofford, and later scoring a career-high 23 points against Virginia Tech.
Other Wins & Performances
In 32 appearances with the Sioux Falls Skyforce during the 2024–25 season, Little averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, reinforcing his scoring reputation. His signing with the Chiba Jets in July 2025 represents the latest chapter in a career that has spanned high school state titles, NBA playoff runs, G League production, and now international play in Japan.
Nassir Little Family
Personal Life
Nassir Little was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, before pursuing his basketball career across different parts of the state. Public information regarding his immediate family, marital status, or children is not documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 season, Nassir Little joined the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League on July 16, 2025, beginning a fresh chapter in international basketball. After averaging 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds across 32 appearances with the Sioux Falls Skyforce during the 2024–25 G League campaign, he carried strong offensive form into his new role overseas. The Chiba Jets provide Little with an opportunity to play expanded minutes and contribute as a featured forward in a competitive Asian league.
Throughout the 2025 calendar year, Little transitioned from his G League duties in the United States to his overseas commitment in Japan. His journey from the Portland Trail Blazers through Phoenix, Sioux Falls, and now Chiba reflects the resilience required to sustain a professional basketball career across multiple teams and countries. As he settles into the B.League, Little remains focused on staying healthy and continuing to build on the promise that once made him a top-five high school recruit and a first-round NBA draft pick.