STORRS, Conn. — Liam McNeeley, ESPN’s No. 9 prospect in the high school Class of 2024, is coming to Storrs. The five-star recruit committed to UConn on Friday.
McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 wing from Richardson, Texas, is ESPN’s No. 9 prospect in the class. The 18-year-old announced his decision on social media, noting, “I’m dialed in from Storrs.”
According to ESPN, McNeeley chose the Huskies over Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and several other schools. He had previously committed to Indiana but requested his release in March.
A teammate of fellow top-10 recruits Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla., McNeeley was named a McDonald’s All-American after helping the school achieve a perfect 33-0 season that included a victory in the championship game of the Chipotle High School Nationals earlier this month.
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“(UConn) felt like a perfect fit,” McNeeley told ESPN. “Coach (Dan) Hurley is a hard-nosed coach. That’s the kind of coach I thrive under. The offensive system that they run is perfect for my game. The culture of the team, the sets they run; they are going to help me get better on both sides of the ball. The whole coaching staff are good people.”
McNeeley is considered among the best perimeter shooters in his class, if not the best. He can run off screens and pull up off the dribble.
The small forward converted 45% of his three-pointers this season on more than five attempts per game. He also had three times as many assists as turnovers and is a solid passer who can attack the basket. ESPN noted that his defense is “highly competitive.”
In ESPN’s 2025 mock NBA draft, McNeeley is considered a lottery pick. He will join a UConn team that could potentially have to replace all five starters following back-to-back national championships.
“My main goal is to win the national championship,” McNeeley told ESPN. “UConn is on a roll right now. They’ve gone back-to-back, so there’s no reason we can’t contend for a three-peat.”
McNeeley will arrive in Storrs alongside four-star recruits Ahmad Nowell and Isaiah Abraham. UConn also added Tarris Reed from Michigan in the transfer portal. There are no signs that the Huskies are done roster building yet, as they still have their eyes on more transfer players.
“UConn has won without five-stars,” McNeely told ESPN. “They’ve developed their players and made it work no matter what. That’s what I’m expecting next year.”
McNeeley will shortly find his way onto the list of the highest-rated recruits in the history of UConn Men's Basketball. The buzz for next season is already building in Storrs.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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