John Little (basketball)

John Emery Little (born September 24, 1984) is an American basketball coach and former player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In his playing career, Little played the shooting guard position.

John Little

Phoenix Suns
Position	Assistant coach
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1984-09-24) September 24, 1984 (age 40) Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight	197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school	Richwoods (Peoria, Illinois)
College	Northern Iowa (2002–2006)
NBA draft	2006: undrafted
Playing career	2007–2016
Position	Shooting guard
Coaching career	2019–present
Career history
As a player:
2008–2011	BG Göttingen
2011–2013	s.Oliver Baskets
2014–2015	MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg
2015–2016	Fraport Skyliners
2016	Science City Jena
As a coach:
2019–2023	Wisconsin Herd (assistant)
2023–2024	Maine Celtics (assistant)
2024–2025	Valley Suns
2025–present	Phoenix Suns (assistant)
Career highlights
FIBA Europe Cup champion (2016) EuroChallenge champion (2010)

Playing career

On October 10, 2016, Little signed a four-year deal with the German club Science City Jena,^[1] but two sides parted ways on November 18.^[2]

Coaching career

Following the close of his professional career, Little became video coordinator at his alma mater, Northern Iowa for two seasons. Little was announced as a part of the Wisconsin Herd coaching staff on September 24, 2019.^[3]

On November 2, 2023, Little was named Associate Head Coach by the Maine Celtics.^[4]

After a season up in Maine, Little would be promoted to head coach for the inaugural season of the Valley Suns in the NBA G League.^[5] On July 19, 2025, Little was hired to serve as an assistant coach on the Phoenix Suns' coaching staff under head coach Jordan Ott.^[6]