Once upon a time, Nassir Little was one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the nation. After committing to North Carolina, he arrived with immense expectations and talent that paved the way for him to enter the NBA as a first-round pick for the Portland Trail Blazers. Fast forward six years, and Little is embarking on a new adventure as he heads to Japan to continue his basketball career.
The Chiba Jets, a prominent team in Japan’s B.League, recently announced they have secured Little with a one-year contract. This moment marks Little’s first venture into overseas basketball, and he’s perfectly positioned to make a significant impact in a new environment.
Expressing his excitement about the move, Little shared, “I’m excited about the opportunity to help the Chiba Jets win a championship! I know some of the players on the team and I’ve been to Japan for vacation, so I really look forward to this experience. I’ve heard Chiba is a great club with a great new arena and great fans. I look forward to meeting everyone and I’m excited to have a great season!”
After being selected as the No. 25 overall pick of the 2019 draft, Little carved out a role in the NBA over four seasons with the Trail Blazers, followed by a tenure with the Phoenix Suns, wrapping up this past winter with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce. In his 237 appearances at the NBA level, he has averaged 5.5 points and 2.9 rebounds—a testament to his potential and growth as a player.
At just 25 years old, Little still has plenty of room for development, and he finds himself in a unique position to refine his game in a different competitive landscape.
Joining him in Chiba is Yuta Watanabe, a familiar face from their time together at Phoenix, which could help Little acclimate more quickly to his new team and surroundings. This pairing might just bring the synergy needed for both players to thrive as they navigate this exciting chapter in their respective careers.
As Little looks to contribute to the Chiba Jets’ championship aspirations, fans around the basketball world will be keeping an eye on this new journey, anticipating the impact he can make in Japan.
