Liam McNeeley

Liam McNeeley started his high school career at J.J. Pearce High School and John Paul II High School before transferring to a high-profile team, Montverde Academy, for his final two years. McNeeley was selected for the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, which led to his UConn recruitment ahead of the 2024-25 college season. The 6-foot-7 forward made 27 appearances for UConn in his freshman year, averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game before declaring his intention to be part of the 2025 NBA Draft. McNeeley can be defined as a skilled wing with enough tools to thrive on both ends of the court. He has an advanced feel for the game, particularly on the defensive end, while offering a polished all-around offensive repertoire. His shooting numbers weren't outstanding at the college level, but he has a good stroke and is an above-average player from a fundamentals perspective. His IQ allows him to read the game well on both ends of the court and make smart reads. One of his strongest assets is his ability to create his own shot, and he excels as a player who launches off screens and can facilitate in the pick-and-roll. His offensive game is a step or two ahead of his defensive game, but he's not a liability on defense by any means. He can make good reads, understands when to help if necessary and communicates well on the defensive end. McNeeley is the prototypical small forward in today's NBA, and although his shooting could still need some work, he has enough tools to be a player who can get the job done on both ends of the court. The true upside of his career could be determined by his shooting, but even if the numbers weren't great at the college level, the early signs are encouraging. A realistic comparison for him could be Corey Kispert.