NBC Sports announced its Preseason All-Americans on Tuesday for the upcoming men’s basketball season, naming UNC senior forward Luke Maye as a First Team selection and Tar Heel freshman Nassir Little as a member of the Fourth Team.

Maye, who was a Third Team All-American and First Team All-ACC selection last year, is the Tar Heels’ top returning player and is widely expected to carry the load for head coach Roy Williams in the early going.

Joining him on NBC’s Preseason First Team All-American list is a group that includes: Duke freshman R.J. Barrett, Purdue’s Carsen Edwards, Gonzaga’s Rui Hatchimura and Kansas’s Dedric Lawson.

Little, meanwhile, is expected to have a breakout campaign in what could be his only year in college.

The first high school player since LeBron James to win the MVP at both the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, Little should quickly become a fan favorite in Chapel Hill as his star potential becomes more apparent.

He was joined on the All-American Fourth Team by Kyle Guy (Virginia), Kellan Grady (Davidson), P.J. Washington (Kentucky) and Dean Wade (Kansas State).  

UNC also officially opened practice on Wednesday, and will begin its regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 6 on the road at Wofford–a team that pulled a shocking upset against the Tar Heels last year in Chapel Hill.

 

 

 

Photo via Todd Melet

Related Stories
‹
NBC Sports Names Cole Anthony a Preseason Second Team All-American
UNC freshman point guard Cole Anthony was named Tuesday as a Preseason Second Team All-American by NBC Sports, as the beginning of college basketball season continues to inch ever so closer. The No. 4 incoming recruit in the country regardless of position according to 24/7 Sports, Anthony is expected to step right into the Tar […]
Joel Berry Named Third Team Preseason All-American by NBC Sports
Fresh off a run to the national championship–one in which he was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player–UNC senior point guard Joel Berry was selected as a Preseason Third Team All-American by NBC Sports. Over the last two years with Berry starting in the backcourt, UNC has compiled a 66-14 record, won a national […]
Chatham County Honors Pittsboro Native Drake Powell for 2025 NBA Draft Selection
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted a special resolution Monday evening honoring Pittsboro native Drake Powell on his first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. Powell was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June. Powell starred at Pittsboro’s Northwood High School […]
Chansky's Notebook: Newest 5-Star
The buzz is slowly growing about UNC freshman Caleb Wilson, who is a consensus top 10 recruit from the high school class of 2025.
Chansky's Notebook: Draft Crush
UNC joins Michigan and Arizona as the three schools to have at least one athlete picked in the first round of the NFL, NBA and MLB drafts.
Chansky's Notebook: The Second
Bill Chamberlain, who died recently at age 75, was the second African-American scholarship player under UNC head coach Dean Smith.
Chansky's Notebook: The Agent Effect?
When Drake Powell talks about his usage going down from high school ball to college ball at UNC, what exactly did he expect?
Check Out the Complete Schedule for UNC's 'ACC Network Takeover' July 8
The ACC Network will feature 24 hours of Tar Heel highlights from the 2024-25 athletic year Tuesday as part of its annual “ACC Network Takeover.” Programming begins at midnight and lasts through 11:59 p.m. Featured games include the women’s basketball team’s win against No. 10 NC State at Carmichael Arena back in February. Those who […]
‘It’s a Grief Project’: Author Ron Smith Details UNC Basketball History Books
When Ron Smith walked into UNC’s Wilson Library, he wasn’t looking for a passion project. He was looking for a distraction.
Chansky's Notebook: Thinking Outside the Shoe Box
Art Chansky ponders the possibility of an even more lucrative partnership between Michael Jordan and UNC men's basketball.
›