Liam McNeeley has some very reasonable considerations surrounding him earlier than the NBA draft, however the advantages are very clear.
After profitable two NCAA titles, UConn Huskies repeatedly began the 2024-25 season as a favourite, rating third within the preseason polls. The Superstars’ Stephen Fortress and Donovan Klingan moved to the NBA, however the Husky did an honest job of swapping them.
Nonetheless, after 0-3 in Maui’s Invitational Match, it was revealed that this model of the Husky wasn’t as dominant as in earlier seasons. Within the madness of March, they had been the eighth seed, and finally misplaced to the Florida champion in nail bitters by simply two factors.
Regardless of the disappointing season, Wing’s Liam McNely is able to carry his expertise to the NBA. Even within the loaded 2025 NBA draft class, McNeeley might be chosen for the lottery.
Earlier than the draft lottery, there’s every little thing followers must know in regards to the first spherical decide.
- Age/Date of Delivery: 19 (October 10, 2005)
- Top/Weight: 6ft 8, 210lbs
- College: Connecticut College Husky College
- Profession Statistics: 14.5 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 38.1 FG%, 31.7 3pt%
- NCAA Match Statistics: 15.0 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 27.5 FG%, 18.8 3pt%
- Profession Highs: 38 factors (Clayton vs.), 11 rebounds (vs. St. John’s, New Hampshire), 7 assists (vs. Butler)
- NBA comparability: Harrison Burns
McNeeley is predicted to change into a high-level NBA shooter, particularly after he finds a foothold, regardless of lack of statistics at college. He made greater than 36% of his catch-and-shoot 3, and was anticipated to create for himself in school.
However within the NBA, he performs from the ball and must be good there. He strikes extremely nicely as a capturing menace, and if his defender is closing him, he can discover an open man, and it appears to be open at any time when he performs subsequent to a real facilitator.
He is on no account the very best defender, however he is been requested to do an excessive amount of because the centre of the Husky roster. In a smaller function, he ought to be capable of defend his fellow wings, however sooner ones could give him a problem.
He isn’t the very best athlete, however he is positively serving, NBA top and weight, and contemplating that a few of his weaknesses can solely be fastened in follow, he is able to get a rep instantly.
It’s unimaginable to disregard {that a} participant who was promoted as an excellent shooter solely made 31.7% of his photographs from deep in school. Even when there’s purpose to imagine he can repair that a part of his sport, there’s doubt till he proves us improper.
He is additionally not the very best shooter from dribbling. In school, he was tasked with creating for himself. If he performs the same function within the NBA, he will get in bother, however he does not have a facility to hold out assaults (or protection) within the NBA so there is not any want to fret.
In protection, he ought to be capable of maintain himself in opposition to the wings, however his versatility is undoubtedly weak as he doesn’t have the velocity to transition into safety guards or the energy of an enormous, massive cowl.
If capturing arrives, all his weaknesses can be simpler to miss, but when not, he can have a really brief profession.
McNeeley has received basketball together with his arduous nostril regardless of some clear obstacles. He isn’t a star, however as a pickup within the center spherical, he must be a really stable function participant and have an extended profession.
The workforce drafting him hopes the capturing comes. The Portland Path Blazers can be utilized for filming, significantly round Scoot Henderson and Shedon Sharp. Neither of them are snipers.
If the Detroit Pistons cannot commerce Tobias Harris or revive Tim Hardaway Jr. or Malik Beasley, McNeely is not a nasty rookie substitute, and he and Orserle Thompson on the Wing give the Piston a bit.
As soon as the San Antonio Spurs are constructed round Jeremy Sochan, Stefon Fortress, Dearon Fox and Victor Wenbanaima, their solely glorious younger shooter is Devin Vassel. Wenbanyama earned solely 35% of his 35% this season, which is ideal for a 7-foot-4 middle, however including area might be a precedence.
Within the NBA, you may’t shoot sufficient. If McNeely is assembly expectations, which workforce can be higher for him to get off the bench subsequent season, however that is not a assure.
