1 day Ago By Rookie Wire
UConn forward Liam McNeeley told ESPN on Tuesday that he will declare for the 2025 NBA draft after a dazzling freshman campaign with the Huskies.McNeeley was the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.5 points, six rebounds and 2.
3 assists on 38.1% shooting from the field. He is the seventh player in program history to win the award, joining the likes of Stephon Castle, Rudy Gay and Khalid El-Amin.
The 6-foot-7 standout registered five 20-point games, including a career-high 38 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range on Feb. 11. He joined Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant as the only freshmen in modern history with 35 points, 10 rebounds and five 3s in a road game.
NEWS: UConn's Liam McNeeley, the Big East Freshman of the Year and a projected lottery pick, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN. pic.twitter.
com/s3zmrchPVE— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 1, 2025McNeeley is projected to be a mid-first-round pick in the draft, given his size, feel and physical playing style. He also showed a knack for getting into the paint and finishing through contact, while also earning trips to the free-throw line.The 19-year-old entered the season highly touted as a shooter on the move and off the catch out of the Montverde Academy.
However, he only converted 31.7% on 5.4 attempts per game from 3-point range, which will likely be an area of emphasis for him to improve this offseason.
McNeeley will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in private workouts and the draft combine on May 11-18 in Chicago, Illinois. He is looking to be the third straight player from UConn to be drafted in the first round.This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA rumors: UConn freshman Liam McNeeley declares for 2025 NBA draft.
