He has three sisters, a 41-inch vertical leap and a passion for the slam dunk. He'll be happy to talk hoops with you; just don't call him Chuck.

'I hate being called Chuck,' he insisted.

He is UD basketball player Charles Little. The 6-foot-4 forward is averaging 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, but Little's impact in his freshman season has reached beyond what the numbers show.

Those who have seen his lightning quick drives and high-flying dunks can attest that Little is already the best athlete in a UD uniform.

'It's close race between me and Monty [Scott], but yeah,' saidLittle on being the most athletic Flyer.

Charles comes to UD via Cleveland, Tenn., where he was a basketball standout at Cleveland High School. Little averaged 20.6 points and 10.3 rebounds during his senior season, was a three-time all-state selection and was named a finalist for Tennessee Mr. Basketball.

Little was selected to play in the Tennessee-Georgia all-star game following his senior season. He was named game MVP and won the slam dunk contest.

'I'm a dunker' Little said. That's what I do. 'I just like [to dunk].'

After a stellar high school career, Charles had several big-name schools interested in him. Little considered going to colleges such as Penn State, Tennessee and South Carolina. The highest profile school to offer him a scholarship was Boston College, but Little opted for UD.

'I just liked the vibe I got here,' said Little. 'Basketball is like the main thing here. I didn't wanna go to a big football school and be second fiddle.'

Being recruited by head coach Brian Gregory and his coaching staff played a huge role, but there was a third factor in Little's decision to become a Flyer.

'The fans here'it's like a football game atmosphere,' Little said of playing home games at UD Arena. 'Where I'm from in Tennessee, you get that kind of vibe at football games. Instead, up here, you get that atmosphere at basketball games.'

Upon his arrival at UD, Little noticed several differences between the high school and college games to which he'd have to adjust.

'The speed of the game,' said Little. 'The game is so much faster. The first couple months, I could see the gap; I just couldn't get to it. The hole would close up so quick.'

Little also pointed to watching game film, lifting weights more frequently and the intense practices as some more differences in the college game.

The freshman forward played center in high school, but Charles says he has felt comfortable playing the 4-spot for UD this season. Little says he has aspirations to play a entirely different position though.

'Once I learn the game and learn from Monty, hopefully I can evolve into a 3,' Little said. 'Maybe a combo-forward kind of guy.'

He went on to say that his perimeter game, including ball handling and outside shooting, would have to improve before he could play the small forward position.

In 2005-06, Little has struggled more with one facet of his game than any other: free throw shooting. Charles has attempted 40 free throws, the third most of any Flyer, but has converted only 17 of them for an abysmal 42.5 percent.

'I'm just a bad free throw shooter in general,' said Little.

UD assistant coach Bob Beyer has worked with Charles this season on that aspect of his game. Little says he is confident his foul shooting will improve as the season wears on.

When asked about the strengths of his game right now, Charles pointed to his ability to drive to the basket, his overall body strength and his athleticism.

At the beginning of the year, Little found himself where most freshman do'on the bench. In the early parts of the season, Little came off the bench and was used sparingly.

Then, in a blowout win over Central Michigan, Little saw some action and made the most of it. The freshman scored a career high ten points and grabbed four rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.

Little found himself in a similar situation when the Flyers took on Florida A&M, and he did not disappoint scoring five points and grabbing eight rebounds in 14 minutes played.

UD, though, found itself in the midst of a seven-game losing streak heading into a Jan. 21 game versus Duquesne.

That night, Charles had what he calls his best game as a Flyer thus far. Little scored nine points in 13 minutes on 4-5 shooting against the Dukes. He had three explosive dunks, two rebounds and a block in the game. The Flyers snapped their losing streak with a 22-point victory.

With good play comes more time on the floor for the rookie. Little has averaged more than 18 minutes per game in UD's last three contests, including a season-high 22 minutes played Saturday at Charlotte. Charles scored eight and grabbed four boards in the losing effort.

Little made his first career start Wednesday in a loss at George Washington (see p. 13) scoring 13 points in 28 minutes against the Colonials.

The Tennessee native says there is still hope for UD in the 2005-06 season.

'If we could make a run in the A-10 Tournament, anything's possible,' said Little. 'We're not giving up on the season, that's for sure.'

Call him a superior athlete; call him a young player with a promising future; call him optimistic about the rest of UD's season. Just make sure you don't call him Chuck.