Back in U.S. from Greece, former KU player Mario Little credits Self for his optimism
During these troubled times, Mario Little often recalls and reflects upon the words of his college basketball coach to rationalize the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
“Coach (Bill) Self always said, ‘You can change a negative into a positive.’ I think we can do that,” said Little, a 6-foot-6, 32-year-old former University of Kansas guard/forward, who just returned to the United States from Lemnos, Greece, where he averaged 9.9 points a game during the 2019-20 season for Greek League team Ifestos Limnou.
Little doesn’t personally have any coronavirus symptoms, but he still elected to return to the U.S. on March 12, the day after the NBA put a hold on its season. European leagues followed suit shortly after.
“It depends how we react,” he said. “Our reaction will be critical.”
Little — he was born and raised in Chicago — has strong opinions on what should be the proper reaction to this crisis.
“Be conscious of elderly people, what they need,” said Little.
He headed to Los Angeles to be with friends, such as former KU forward Markieff Morris of the L.A. Lakers, and Marcus Morris of the L.A. Clippers, instead of Chicago, when his uncle, who lives on the South Side, warned Mario that Illinois was being hard hit by coronavirus.
“Don’t run out and be selfish. Be a human being, not a basketball player, not a movie star. We all are on the same playing field now,” Little said. “We are all attentive to one thing now — the whole world. As Americans and human beings, we’ve got to follow directions.
“If they say, ‘Stay in,’ stay in,” Littler added of government officials and medical personnel. “I know there’s a lot of conspiracy (theories) out there. Some may not stay in since we are all individuals. I try to pay attention to what is going on. I feel if they say stay out of the way, stay out.”
Thanks in part to his former coach constantly reminding him to always stay positive, Little has an upbeat attitude about possibly controlling the spread of the virus.
“I know this is a problem. We need to sit back and hopefully the right people step up and handle this the right way,” Little said.
“I feel it’ll be fine. There’s still more time to go,” he said of possible quarantines and isolation. “(During this period) you can take time to reflect on life, do a lot of things now, which I do all the time. In my professional career I’m always overseas by myself, talking and thinking by myself. I’m used to it. I like it. This is a good time for everybody to do that.”
Little, who is not married, has been alone much of the time since graduating from KU in 2011. He’s played not only in Greece, but Italy, Spain, South America, Philippines, Israel and Ukraine during his pro career.
“I’ve seen so much. I’ve seen a lot culturally,” Little said. “When I go where I go I adapt to what they are doing there. I don’t keep my American glasses on. I feel pretty cultured. I’ve been to a lot of places, even visiting places. Flights are cheap, $100 to go to different places (while overseas). It’s fun. Lonely at times, but fun.”
While used to being by himself, Little does stay in touch with friends he’s made not only in Chicago, but at KU and at Chipola College in Florida, where he played two seasons before signing with KU in 2008.
Little is so close with Marcus Morris he flew from Greece to the U.S. on his own dime to attend the KU jersey-retirement ceremony that included Morris on March 4 in Allen Fieldhouse.
Little arrived five minutes after opening tip, then watched as KU defeated TCU 75-66. The game included a halftime ceremony, in which Morris’ jersey No. 22 was hung in the south fieldhouse rafters.
Little returned to Greece shortly after the game
“That’s bigger than a lot of things. Your last name is up there forever,” Little said of getting one’s jersey retired. “Once you are gone that sticks around. That was big for his family,” Little added of Morris’ twin brother, ex-Jayhawk forward Markieff and the twins’ mom, Angel.
“It was definitely a great honor, such a prestigious place and to have your name up there in a place like that says a lot about you. He was grateful. He appreciated it. He knew what it was,” Little said.
Another of Little’s teammates, former KU power forward Thomas Robinson, could have his jersey hung in the rafters as soon as next season.
Playing in Russia, Robinson couldn’t make it back for a ceremony this past season.
“That will be a really big deal, too,” Little said, before adding with a laugh, “Two out of four … we felt Markieff should be up there; I should have been up there too.”
The former Chipola College standout averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while logging 13.7 minutes a game his senior year at KU (2010-11) after averaging 4.7 points and 3.2 boards in 2008-09. He redshirted in 2009-10.
“Thomas went to the championship game (losing to Kentucky in 2012. Everybody loves Thomas,” Little said.
Little played in two NCAA tourneys in his two seasons at KU. The Jayhawks reached the Sweet 16 in 2008-09 ahead of their Elite Eight campaign of 2010-11. He said he was heartbroken that the 2020 NCAA Tourney was called off.
“When we were in the NCAA Tournament, it was a great time,” Little said. “We knew our time was limited as brothers and it was a brotherhood we wanted to hold onto as long as we could. When we went to UCLA for a game; Jerry West talked to us and said, ‘Soak this in and relish this time of brotherhood.’ After that we’d be pros and that would be nothing like college.
“We knew it. Guys on this year’s team that were connected and created a brotherhood … it got snapped that fast. It was abruptly cut off. Bang, we’re done.”
The 2019-20 Jayhawks went 28-3, won the Big 12 regular-season title and figured to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAAs.
“They didn’t get a chance to fight,” Little said. “You come to Kansas you fight and battle for the championship. At least they reclaimed the Big 12.
“It (stunk). Some guys like No. 30 (Ochai Agbaji) and Marcus (Garrett) were trying to also make a name for themselves. I’m sure they felt they would have had an opportunity to show NBA scouts what they can do.
“Ochai, Marcus and even Doke (Azubuike) had some work to do, and (Devon) Dotson. Isaiah Moss is a guy who can really shoot it and be an effective guy on the court. He might get that invitation to come to a (NBA) workout. That (stinks) for an Isaiah Moss. He showed but didn’t get a chance to show when it’s do or die. It’s tough.”
Little worked out with the 2019-20 KU team for several days last summer when he was in town training to play for KU’s “Self Made” alumni team in the single-elimination TBT.
The Jayhawk squad fell to Sideline Cancer 87-63 in a first-round contest in late July in Wichita.
“I hope we have it,” Little said of a TBT tourney this summer. “If Kansas wants to do it, we’ll do it. Last summer I wasn’t really in shape. I played two years straight overseas. I said I wasn’t going to do it (play for team). I was resting.
“I did it anyway. It showed on the court that we had just gotten together. Tyshawn’s shoulder got messed up a week before that,” he added of guard Tyshawn Taylor hurting his shoulder in a celebrity game. “He played anyway. He looked like he couldn’t play.
“If we do it again, do it the right way. Get some big dogs, (Mario) Chalmers, Keith (Langford), guys like B. Rush (Brandon). We had great guys still we didn’t put it together. Perry got hurt and that messed us all up,” he added of Perry Ellis, who injured his knee in the first two minutes.
Little said that while practicing with players such as Landen Lucas, Elijah Johnson, Ellis and Darrell Arthur in Lawrence, “I thought we’d win that game. I didn’t know how many we’d win after that.”
KU coach Self has said the “Self Made” players are welcome to train in Lawrence for however much time they need in order to field a contending team in the TBT.
Yes, Little stays in contact with Self regularly.
“We talk a lot. I always wish him a happy birthday. Mine is the 29th. His the 27th (of December). I always text him happy birthday,” Little said. “We are cool. I owe Coach, all the coaches, a lot. I appreciate them all a lot.”
KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend said the Jayhawk coaches are pleased Little has made a good living playing basketball overseas.
“He was a great player, the No. 1 juco player in the country,” Townsend said. “He happened to be here when the twins and Thomas were here (competing for minutes). He got hurt here, too (stress fracture, lower left leg). I don’t think the people got to see the real Mario Little.
“He is a guy we thought could make a lot of money as a professional and that’s just what he’s done. We though he was a pro. He could shoot the ball well, was strong handling the ball, probably one of the toughest kids we coached here.
“Coming back for Marcus’ ceremony … that shows you what a good friend and teammate he is. He’s matured a lot, is a very good person and player,” Townsend added.
Townsend noted that, “my daughter (Tanika) graduated with him at the same time. We celebrated both of them that day. He comes from a great family in Chicago, overcame some things growing up (in a tough neighborhood). He is like family to us here. We’re glad he’s safe in what is a crazy time (of coronavirus).”
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Back in U.S. from Greece, former KU player Mario Little credits Self for his optimism."
