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

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