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Baylor had advantage securing top Euro, Finland's Little (STORY POSTED)

k lonnquist

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Mar 10, 2009
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By Kevin Lonnquist
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Word of mouth can be a better way to sell a college basketball program above all strategies. When top international prospect and Finland native Miro Little was looking at Baylor among his choices, he had inside knowledge about the Bears.

Jeremy Sochan and I are good friends,’’ Little told SicEmSports. “Even before I came over, he told me how everything was and how good it was. It was about day-to-day life, how they practice and how it works with classes.

“When I came in January, it was the first college campus I’d been on. It was beyond expectations.’’

There is still another year to go before Little makes his presence known at Baylor.

But everything suggests that it will be worth the wait. First reported by ESPN, Little committed to Scott Drew’s program on April 15.

The 2023 may be a one-and-done. But given what he could do in however long he stays at Baylor could be notable. The point guard chose the Bears over Indiana and Villanova. Dayton also offered.

“As long as I remembered, I wanted to play in the NBA and go to college,’’ Little said. “It could be a one and done. But I want to enjoy the college experience.

“I’m an energetic player. I’m mobile in that I can help my teammates become available on the court for the best shot. I’m a playmaker and can find a way to create the best shot opportunity.’’

At 6-3, Little continues a trend where Drew’s staff is not only securing bigger guards but also going overseas and developing those players.

Currently the Bears feature Cameroon native Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Flo Thamba from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Poland native Sochan. Belgium’s Manu Lecomte enjoyed a solid career when he finished in 2018. He’s now playing in Lithuania.

“The way they develop overseas players was a big part of my decision,’’ Little said. “They’ve proven what they can do with two-way European players. They have shown that.’’

Little is currently competing in the second division of the Helsinki Basketball Academy and averaging nearly 22 points, nine rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.7 steals. He’s also shooting 38 percent from the arc. His recently lost in best-of-three playoff series that’s the equivalent to high school basketball in the United States.

He started talking with Baylor Associate head coach John Jakus back in December. The vibe reached a point to where he visited Waco in January for the Oklahoma State game. Of course, the result of that game – Baylor lost but was No. 1 at the time – didn’t matter.

“In this offense, the way they run the pick and roll is something where I can get everybody involved,’’ he said. “You can never be too good of a shooter. Coming out of Finland, there aren’t a lot of big guys. So when I can over, I need to work on finishing over bigger players.

“Playing for [Drew] has me super excited. He’s a Hall of Fame [type] coach. I want to learn as much as I can.’’

 
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