Liam McNeeley Bio
Liam Thomas McNeeley (born October 10, 2005) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies where he earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors in his only season. McNeeley was a consensus five-star recruit out of high school and one of the top players in the 2024 class before being selected 29th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, whose rights were subsequently traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Early Life and Background
Liam Thomas McNeeley was born on October 10, 2005, in Richardson, Texas. He grew up in the Dallas area with a strong basketball lineage in his family. His great-grandfather Gordan Elsey, grandfather Chuck Elsey, mother Ashley Elsey, and two uncles Chad Elsey and Josh Ihde all played college basketball, providing him with a deep connection to the sport from an early age.
High School Career
McNeeley began his high school career at J. J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas. He transferred to John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas after his freshman year. During his sophomore season at John Paul II, he averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks per game. After the season, McNeeley transferred a second time to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, one of the premier basketball programs in the country. He averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) competition during his first season at Montverde. As a senior, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while playing under coach Kevin Boyle. McNeeley was selected to play in the prestigious 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game during his senior year, highlighting his status as one of the top prospects in the country.
Recruiting
McNeeley was a consensus five-star recruit and ranked among the top players in the 2024 class according to major recruiting services. After considering offers from Kansas and Texas, he initially committed to playing college basketball for Indiana. He signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Indiana Hoosiers on November 8, 2023, during the early signing period. However, he requested a release from his NLI on March 7, 2024, shortly after Indiana announced the retention of head coach Mike Woodson. McNeeley ultimately committed to the University of Connecticut on April 26, 2024, choosing the Huskies over several other programs.
Liam McNeeley Career
UConn Huskies (2024–2025)
McNeeley enrolled at the University of Connecticut in June 2024 to participate in the Huskies’ summer practices. He made his college debut on November 6, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Sacred Heart. Three days later, McNeeley posted 10 points and 11 rebounds against New Hampshire, becoming the first UConn freshman to log back-to-back double-doubles since Corny Thompson in 1978. On November 17, he earned Big East Freshman of the Week honors for his 15-point performance in a 90-49 victory over Le Moyne. After leading the Huskies to a 2-0 week, he shared Big East Freshman of the Week honors with teammate Alex Karaban on December 9.
On December 14, McNeeley delivered a dominant 26-point performance with eight rebounds and four assists against No. 8 Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden, earning another Big East Freshman of the Week selection. He continued his dominant run with his fourth Freshman of the Week honor on December 23. His standout performance came on February 11, 2025, when he scored a game-high 38 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Creighton, recording the most points by a UConn freshman in conference history. Following a strong week averaging 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, he earned Freshman of the Week honors again on February 17. McNeeley secured his sixth Freshman of the Week award after a comeback win over Villanova with 20 points and 7 rebounds. He earned his seventh Freshman of the Week honor on March 3 after averaging 15.5 points and 3.5 assists in a 2-0 week. On March 11, the conference named him Big East Freshman of the Year. McNeeley concluded his college career having earned Third Team All-Big East and Big East All-Freshman Team honors. He declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on April 1, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Professional Career
The Phoenix Suns selected McNeeley with the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, on June 30, 2025, his draft rights were traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a multi-team deal that also involved Vasilije Micić and future draft picks, with Mark Williams moving to the Suns. McNeeley joined the Charlotte Hornets roster for the 2025-2026 season as a small forward wearing jersey number 33. He appeared in limited games during his rookie season with the Hornets before being assigned to the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte’s G League affiliate, for development purposes. He helped the Greensboro Swarm capture the NBA G League championship in 2026.
Liam McNeeley Career Wins
McNeeley achieved significant success at both the collegiate and international levels before beginning his professional career. His collegiate career was marked by consistent dominance as a freshman, while his international experience includes a gold medal at the youth level.
UConn Highlights
During his only season at UConn, McNeeley established himself as one of the most dominant freshmen in the country. He earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors and was named to the Third Team All-Big East and the Big East All-Freshman Team. His signature performance came against Creighton when he scored 38 points, setting the UConn freshman single-game scoring record in conference play. McNeeley was named Big East Freshman of the Week a remarkable seven times during the season, highlighting his consistent excellence throughout the year. He also contributed to the team’s success with back-to-back double-doubles to start his college career, a feat not accomplished by a UConn freshman in over four decades.
International Competition
McNeeley represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico. He averaged 5.7 points and five rebounds per game during the tournament as Team USA captured the gold medal. This international experience provided him with valuable competition at a high level before his college career began.
High School and Individual Honors
His high school career at Montverde Academy, one of the nation’s premier basketball programs, helped prepare him for the collegiate level. McNeeley earned McDonald’s All-American honors in 2024, a prestigious recognition given only to the top high school players in the country. He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic, further solidifying his status as an elite prospect.
Liam McNeeley Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
McNeeley comes from a family deeply rooted in basketball. His great-grandfather Gordan Elsey and grandfather Chuck Elsey both played college basketball. His mother Ashley Elsey also played at the collegiate level, as did his two uncles Chad Elsey and Josh Ihde. This extensive basketball heritage provided McNeeley with a unique understanding of the game and valuable guidance throughout his development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
McNeeley began his professional career in the 2025-2026 NBA season following his standout freshman year at UConn. After being traded to the Charlotte Hornets on draft night, he worked to find his footing at the professional level during his rookie season. The transition from college to the NBA presented challenges, but his experience at UConn and his basketball IQ from his family background provided him with tools to adapt. He spent time with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League, where he continued developing his skills and understanding of professional basketball. The assignment to the G League affiliate allowed him to gain valuable playing time and refine his game. McNeeley’s ability to contribute to the Swarm’s championship run in 2026 demonstrated his potential to be a valuable contributor at the professional level as he continues his career development with the Charlotte Hornets organization.