5-Star Postseason For UConn
UConn has landed one of the top high school players in the country in 6 foot 7 senior, Liam McNeeley out of Montverde Academy, the No. 1 high school team in the country. McNeeley is a 5-star recruit, who’s rated the No. 18 player in the class, according to 247Sports Composite.
McNeeley chose UConn over Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas and Alabama among others. He had previously committed to Indiana but decommitted from the Hoosiers last month.
My name is Bryan DeNovellis. You’ve landed on my blog.
I grew up in the heart of UConn Country in Hartford County, CT. I went to college at Seton Hall University, just 30 miles outside of Madison Square Garden, the mecca of basketball. I now reside in Middlesex County, NJ in the shadows of Rutgers University. Basketball has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve played it. I’ve coached it. I’ve officiated it. Now I blog about it.
Star Potential
So what’s UConn getting in McNeeley? Think Alex Karaban, but more athletic.
McNeeley is a gifted athlete and shooter who’s quick enough and tall enough at 6-7 to create his own shot and shoot over most defenders.
He can step into UConn’s starting lineup from day one because he has the talent and make-up to be in the spotlight in Storrs.
He was the MVP for “Team Air” at the Jordan Brand Classic high school all-star game, after scoring 25 points and hitting five 3-pointers.
He’s got basketball in his genes. His mother, Ashley, played at Rice, his grandfather played at TCU, while his two uncles and great-grandfather also played Division-1 college basketball.
He was the 3rd leading scorer at Montverde Academy, averaging 12.5 points per game, along with 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He also made 44 percent of his 155 3-point attempts (which led the team) and established him as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country.
He was one of three McDonald’s All-Americans on the Montverde team this season, and is coming to a UConn team with superior talent, so he’s used to playing with stars.
On his commitment to UConn, McNeeley said, “"It felt like a perfect fit. Coach Hurley is a hard-nosed coach. That's the kind of coach I thrive under. The offensive system 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."
What They’re Saying
Here’s what others are saying about the 6 foot 7, 210-pound McNeeley:
Fox Broadcaster John Fanta, “McNeeley is a sharpshooter with incredible feel for his age, possessing a well-rounded skillset and the length to make an immediate impact.”
24/7 High School Hoops, “McNeeley is one of the top overall players in the ‘24 class. A knockdown shooter from 3pt range with a solid off-the-bounce game. Moves extremely well without the ball.”
McNeeley becomes UConn’s third top-100 commit in the 2024 class, joining Ahmad Nowell (No. 31 overall) and Isaiah Abraham (No. 82 overall). He’s also UConn’s second high-profile player to commit to the program since the Huskies won their second-straight national championship, joining Michigan center Tarris Reed, Jr.
State of UConn
So what does the addition of McNeeley say about the state of UConn and Dan Hurley? It speaks volumes. First of all it says Hurley isn’t satisfied with winning back-to-back NCAA Championships. He’s in search of the best recruits with the best fit for his program. He wants a 3-peat. That’s something the college basketball world hasn’t seen since UCLA’s Dynasty was winning a record seven straight from 1967-73, and an unthinkable 10 championships in 12 years from 1964-75.
Secondly it says the Huskies aren’t going anywhere. Right now UConn is the premiere college basketball team in the country and Hurley is the premiere coach in the country. No other current men’s college basketball coach can say he won back to back national championships. The last two coaches to accomplish the feat are Billy Donovan (Florida), who’s now coaching the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), who’s retired. Hurley is alone at the top.
And thirdly, it says Hurley is recruiting and developing players as well as any coach. He recruits players through the transfer portal (Reed, Jr) and in high school (McNeeley, Nowell and Abraham). UConn’s current high school recruiting class is ranked 10th in the country according to a 247 composite list of every ranking.
He also gets players to the next level. Former stars, Andre Jackson (Bucks), Adama Sanogo (Bulls) and Jordan Hawkins (Pelicans) are currently on NBA rosters. Meanwhile, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, who starred at UConn this season, are both projected lottery picks in June’s NBA Draft, while teammates Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer and Karaban are all projected to be chosen in the 2nd round.
That’s talent. That’s development. That’s Dan Hurley. That’s UConn.
It’s a 5-star program with a 5-star head coach having a 5-star off-season. Get used to it.
