UConn's Liam McNeeley Reportedly Has Momentum After Positive Workouts Before NBA Draft
UConn forward Liam McNeeley is making some strong impressions in the final stages of the predraft process, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
Givony projected McNeeley to land 20th overall to the Miami Heat in ESPN's newest mock.
"He will likely be asked to play a different role in the NBA, leaning more heavily into his ability as a dynamic perimeter shooter, which was more evident in other settings before college," the draft analyst said. "McNeeley has some momentum behind him now, following some positive workouts, helping to remind teams of what made him so highly regarded entering the season."
McNeeley averaged 14.5 points on 38.1 percent shooting, including 31.7 percent from deep, as a freshman with the Huskies. Thanks in large part to his lackluster three-point production, his stock slipped a bit as the season unfolded.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman had McNeeley as the No. 28 pick in his mock draft from Tuesday.
The Texas native might be the type of player who looks far better in the pros than he did in college.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie noted McNeeley hit 43 percent of his unguarded catch-and-shoot threes in 2024-25. When he'll be playing off the ball much more frequently compared to his usage at UConn, the scoring efficiency may return.
Jared McCain provided great value to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 16 in the 2024 draft. Maybe McNeeley is this year's prospect from the middle stage of the first round who exceeds expectations.
