Dream Fits: Spurs, Heat, Magic

Overall Grade: 61.33

Projected Position: PF/SF

Strengths:

• Constantly moving off ball to get open shots off flare screens

• Fights over screens well

• Quickly recognizes screens

• Quick first step on drives

• Uses body & armbar well to make space on drives

• Willing to sacrifice body on loose balls

• Good timing on rebounds & times crashes to get ball at apex

• Good floater game

• Good control with defender on back hip

• Solid handle & good crossover

• Denies the ball well over offball screens

• Good recovery angles

• Good ball security while driving

• Good boxouts feeling & adjusting to player

• Good at drawing fouls using arm swing & moving his body into guys on drives

• Good closeout speed

• Always squares his body before taking a shot

• Great 3pt shooter when he is calm on his shot

• Moves through traffic well defensively

• Good rebounder through contact

• Good timing on blocks when defender expose ball early

• Good physicality when player has picked up dribble in paint, often forcing a pass out

• Good touch on shots around rim

• Changes direction well & flips hips fluidly

• Good at absorbing contact

• Solid vision when trapped or driving

Weaknesses:

• Can overcommit to fighting over a screen instead of switching

• Notices cutting players on&off ball a step late

• Gives too much space on drives, not being physical, allowing players to easily create high quality looks

• Doesn’t affect shots much on perimeter contests

• Overcommits on closeouts

• At times can rush his 3pt attempts, leading to wide misses

• Poor accuracy on passes a good amount of the time

• Rolls into traffic a lot

• Multiple miscommunications on screens

Scouting Report: Liam McNeeley

Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6'7", 205 lbs
School: Montverde Academy (High School Class of 2024)

Draft Projection: mid first round in the 2025 NBA Draft

Overview:
Liam McNeeley is a versatile forward with an advanced offensive skill set and strong basketball IQ. His ability to impact the game as a scorer, playmaker, and defender makes him a standout prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft. He brings a unique combination of toughness, shooting, and rebounding, making him one of the most polished players in his class.

Strengths:

• Shooting Ability: Possesses a smooth and reliable jump shot, effective from mid-range and beyond the arc.

• Rebounding: Tenacious rebounder who excels at boxing out and crashing the boards on both ends.

• Playmaking: Has strong ball-handling and passing skills, allowing him to make plays for himself and teammates.

• Versatility: Can play multiple positions due to his size and skill set.

Areas for Improvement:

• Explosiveness: While skilled, he lacks elite athleticism, which could limit him against quicker NBA players.

• Defense: Needs to refine his lateral quickness to become a more consistent defender on the perimeter.

• Physicality: Adding strength could help him withstand the physicality at the next level.

Player Comparisons:

• Gordon Hayward

• Harrison Barnes

• Franz Wagner

Summary:
Liam McNeeley is a well-rounded forward with the tools to succeed in the NBA. His shooting, rebounding, and basketball IQ make him a safe and valuable pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With development in his athleticism and defense, he could evolve into a highly impactful starter or even an All-Star in the league.

Draft Range: 10-21

Projected NBA rookie role:

Projected NBA position: Wing

Projected Rookie Statline (Pts, Reb, Ast, Blk/Stl):

Strengths:

Weakness:

Shades of/comp:

Best outcome:

mid outcome:

worst outcome:

McNeeley is a big guard/wing with top-tier shooting potential who is a great mover without the ball. McNeeley was an elite shooter off the catch at Montverde, but he didn’t shoot at the same level for the Huskies. When he's hot, he can drain 3s running through screens, and he does a great job shifting into open space. He made 37% of his catch-and-shoot 3s for Danny Hurley. He puts constant pressure on the defense by moving and cutting at all times, and uses screens and backdoors efficiently. His 38-point game against Creighton showed his potential for finishing with either hand and backing down defenders in the paint, but he didn't finish well at the rim for most of the year. He's got a solid handle and is a good connective playmaker, using screens and hitting cutters with precision. He hasn't been a good mid-range or off-the-dribble shooter. One of the reasons he doesn’t shoot consistently off the bounce is his handle isn’t yet tight enough to deal with pressure. He usually picks up his dribble or makes silly passes, rather than putting together advanced dribble moves. He's not very athletic and that doesn't translate well on defense, with his lateral quickness being average. Overall, what McNeeley does well will have a team take a swing on him in the 1st round.

NBA Comps: Corey Kispert, Sam Hauser

SCOUTING REPORTS: Liam McNeeley: Liam is a decent prospect in this draft who I think will fall in the mid teens. He has a good 3pt shot if he has set up to it well, decent driver and finisher, decent when trying to draw contact. Has a good floater so he can hit a shot from about anywhere. Great rebounder for his position, gets physical and willing to sacrifice himself for the rebound, doesn’t hesitate on jumping for it. His defense is solid, he is a really good defender against screens by recognizing them and fighting over, tries his hardest, dives for loose balls. But he doesn’t give an opponent a hard time while they drive, often allowing some easy looks inside, also doesn’t make the greatest decisions over screens and off ball. Very inefficient in college.

Player Archetype: Do It All Hustler.

Player Comp(s): Franz, Gordon Hayward, Jerami Grant.

Dream Fits: Bulls, Grizzlies, Thunder.

Overall Score: 49.20.

Comp: Dalton Knecht/Cam Johnson

• solid scorer from the midrange and three and has no problems getting to his shots both on and off the ball

• good use of floater

• not a movement shooter and has to get square to the rim

• okay on-ball playmaker; has a high passing IQ but struggles to actually create looks for others; plays well within offensive flow

• poor defender all around; decently low motor/reaction time and his lack of high-level athleticism hinders him from being able to take contact well

• overcommits on the perimeter and subsequently gives up on the play early

• struggles to draw fouls and doesn’t possess much rim pressure

• good rebounder