McNeeley grew up in Richardson and played his freshman year of high school at Richardson ISD’s J.J. Pearce before transferring to John Paul II High School in Plano.
DALLAS β Richardson native Liam McNeeley was selected 29th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. However, a trade will send McNeeley to the Charlotte Hornets.
McNeeley, who played one season at Connecticut, is a 6-foot-7 forward who averaged 14.5 points per game for the Huskies this past season.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Charlotte traded center Mark Williams and a 2029 first-round pick to acquire McNeeley from the Suns.
McNeeley grew up in Richardson and played his freshman year of high school at Richardson ISD’s J.J. Pearce before transferring to John Paul II High School in Plano and then Montverde Academy in Florida.
ESPN NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony had McNeeley ranked 17th on his board heading into the draft, calling him a “big wing with the skill level, feel for the game and toughness to fill an important role.”
McNeeley’s stats from his one season at Uconn “belie his actual ability,” Givony wrote, pointing out that McNeeley played a “demanding role” for the Huskies, who were without a point guard last season.
“He nonetheless found ways to contribute, but his ability to get back on track as a floor spacer will undoubtedly play a key role in his ability to earn minutes early in his NBA career,” Givony wrote.
