While not unexpected, big news emerged from Storrs, Conn., a couple of weeks ago, as freshman forward Liam McNeeley declared for the NBA Draft. The 19-year-old came to UConn as a projected one-and-done lottery pick and appears to be headed that way. Pundits have McNeeley either as a lottery pick or slightly beyond pick No. 14. In this week’s edition of Sargeant’s Orders, we will be going over all the relevant characteristics that NBA executives will want to keep an eye out for when considering drafting McNeeley.
Can take over games
Perhaps McNeeley’s most attractive attribute is his ability to completely take over games and single-handedly bury opposing programs. While this may sound extreme, McNeeley has done this on multiple occasions. The freshman’s first breakout performance came on Dec. 14 at Madison Square Garden against then No. 8 Gonzaga. McNeeley played nearly all 40 minutes, grabbing eight rebounds and putting up 26 points on 7-13 shooting from the field. However, the most impressive part of the freshman’s night came from the charity stripe, finishing 10-12 in that regard, highlighting his ability to draw contact and create offense off that. However, this was far from McNeeley’s best showing.
Coming off a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for a significant part of the season, McNeeley came with a fire lit under him for his side’s Feb. 11 showing at Creighton. Despite it only being his second game back from injury, the freshman exploded for 38 points and 10 rebounds. McNeeley accomplished this in 38 minutes of work, thanks to 12-22 shooting, including a 5-10 slash from downtown. In this contest, the threes that McNeeley was hitting were well beyond NBA range, and it felt like every time the ball left his fingertips, it would find the bottom of the net. This was McNeeley’s signature performance in a UConn uniform, and it should give NBA executives confidence that McNeeley’s scoring ability will translate to the next level.
Great physical frame
Standing at 6-foot-7, the wing has an ideal height for an NBA small forward. Not only this, but McNeeley has used his lengthy frame to benefit Connecticut many times throughout the season. Finishing with six rebounds per contest, despite recovering from an injury in the second half of the year, McNeeley has proved that he can use his frame to impact the game. Also, despite being on the 75th ranked defense in the country, according to KenPom, the forward was an above average defender for the squad. Whenever he needed to give help defense, or isolate a scorer, he nearly always stepped up to the challenge. He was one of the most disciplined defenders on the Huskies, averaging only two fouls per contest.
Not ready to be a first option
Despite all of McNeeley’s positive attributes, he is still developing as a basketball player at 19 years old. For as talented as he has been at times from beyond the arc, the freshman was an inconsistent shooter for UConn, finishing 31.7% from beyond the arc. While at UConn, there were times he took over games offensively, which might not immediately translate to the NBA. While McNeeley has demonstrated star potential throughout his time in Connecticut, he has some offensive leaps to make before he is ready to take that next step. However, McNeeley will come into the league and will likely be a shooter off the bench or a sixth man. Getting an immediate sixth man, with the potential to be better, is excellent utility for a team that is in the lottery range.
Best fit
Ideally, McNeeley will come into the league on a young, developing team, though not on a project franchise where he is expected to do too much. The best-case scenario for the UConn forward is if he gets drafted by a team like the Orlando Magic. The Magic own the 16th pick in this year’s draft, and have a young, talented roster, with players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. McNeeley’s high basketball IQ and ability to space the floor would complement this franchise the best and benefit McNeeley highly in the process. While the forward may go slightly earlier than this, there is a solid chance that if he falls, the Magic could scoop up McNeeley, and this would be a mutually beneficial acquisition.