2024 Recruiting: Liam McNeeley

[Agent0]

We’re very strong here.

 

[Mr. French]

I'm not reading 300 posts, but is it fair to say this guy is like a Karaban clone/successor?

I kinda see like…Gradey Dick, Hawkins with more size and better D, Paul George guarding 2-4… He’s much more guard oriented than Karaban. But more a shooter than finisher.

 

[bendm]

I'm not reading 300 posts, but is it fair to say this guy is like a Karaban clone/successor?

i hope not i've already written alex and stew in as our starting forwards for next year (using pencil). so we need a wing.

 

[Agent0]

So more like a Castle replacement that can shoot better?

Yes but not the defender or ball handler castle was but much better shooter

 

[TheHorde]

I’m not naive enough to think that NIL is meaningless. However, I think the players Hurley targets are typically a reflection of himself. Hurley didn’t bolt for Kentucky for the most dollars. Imo the best fitting recruits look at the development they can make here to make them pro ready and able to have a long pro career. They prioritize winning, culture, and they’re fit in a program. They want to be coached hard to become better. If we lose a recruit over NIL, I don’t lose a lot of sleep over it, because that probably means that player isn’t a UConn player.

 

[Scrutineer]

I think all indications are Hurley and staff prioritized this kid as soon as he de-committed.

As the great Matrim says, nothings ever done until he’s in practice, but I imagine he’s getting our full court press and the way he fits is intriguing to everyone.

Keep in mind, too, this is a 3rd generation D1 player, he’s a basketball lifer and plays the game the right ways. With parents and grandparents who understand hoop, they have to be impressed with the program and offense we’re running. He fits perfectly.

I agree and also believe if he's a lifer, with the talent he displays, he and his family will see the value he'll get from being coached at UConn versus grabbing maximum quick cash for a year or two and not maxing out his ability and appeal to the NBA.

Dan Hurley has a track record now with guys who weren't highly rated out of HS, as well as several who were, and that should be obvious to him and his family and bring him to UConn.

 

[KemBuckets21]

So more like a Castle replacement that can shoot better?

Yes - probably won't be an NBA caliber defender that quickly. But what he lacks in defensive prowess, he makes up for in shooting and shot making.

 

[Matrim55]

So more like a Castle replacement that can shoot better?

And defend worse.

 

[husky429]

I'm not reading 300 posts, but is it fair to say this guy is like a Karaban clone/successor?

He couldn't play the 4 like AK has. He could spot there, but he is a 3 through and through. Pretty versatile... I'm not sure it would be the worst thing if he even got minutes at the 2.

 

[Son of Robert]

We are smoking right now. McNeeley would be such a player in this offense.

 

[PNolanFan]

He couldn't play the 4 like AK has. He could spot there, but he is a 3 through and through. Pretty versatile... I'm not sure it would be the worst thing if he even got minutes at the 2.

I dont see a ton of AK in his game (limited youtube watching). I think he might move a bit better but is significantly smaller. If we are doing white guy comparisons would a cam spencer be a better match? (EDIT: I see they are listed at similar sizes but Karaban looks heavier to me on the court )

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Yes but not the defender or ball handler castle was but much better shooter

Sounds like a clone to me, or at least a twin lol.

 

[husky429]

I dont see a ton of AK in his game (limited youtube watching). I think he might move a bit better but is significantly smaller. If we are doing white guy comparisons would a cam spencer be a better match? (EDIT: I see they are listed at similar sizes but Karaban looks heavier to me on the court )

AK is 6'8 220, Liam is listed 6'7 or 6'8 and 210 most recently. I think the biggest difference is just style of play. Alex has been in the post banging since he was in HS. McNeeley has focused on building a perimeter skillset.

So if you are in a pinch and a guy like Hopkins is going off, could you throw McNeeley at him? Sure. But having him primarily defending the 4 isn't going to be a great idea.

 

[FlexOnEm]

And defend worse.

I’ll take that. Diarra and Ball are both very capable defenders, even if neither have the size that Castle had. Really hope Stewart makes the leap on the defensive end next season.

 

[UConnSwag11]

AK is 6'8 220, Liam is listed 6'7 or 6'8 and 210 most recently. I think the biggest difference is just style of play. Alex has been in the post banging since he was in HS. McNeeley has focused on building a perimeter skillset.

So if you are in a pinch and a guy like Hopkins is going off, could you throw McNeeley at him? Sure. But having him primarily defending the 4 isn't going to be a great idea.

Alex is a perimeter guy who drives to the basket or makes cuts. He bangs down low for rebounds but not to get baskets

 

[auror]

Dalton Knecht is who I see.

 

[KemBuckets21]

Does anyone see a 1+done? I think he's at least a 2 year guy.

 

[Com'rGordon]

Not sure how you fit Mcneeley, Stewart, and Karaban all into the same starting lineup

 

[husky429]

Alex is a perimeter guy who drives to the basket or makes cuts. He bangs down low for rebounds but not to get baskets

I'm talking about defense. Doesn't matter on offense--all our spots are similar.

 

[Tenspro2002]

All right, so sounds like he could play the 3 alongside Karaban and/or Stewart, with the 3 of them, plus Abraham, taking up the 80 minutes at the 3/4.

 

[UConnRock]

I'm not reading 300 posts, but is it fair to say this guy is like a Karaban clone/successor?

A recent comparison - Johnny Furphy from Kansas?

 

[djct1999]

Not sure how you fit Mcneeley, Stewart, and Karaban all into the same starting lineup

Luke Murray somewhere probably: challenge accepted!

 

[UCTitleTown]

I’m definitely going to take the word of the guy who wanted Newton benched in the Final Four on this one.

Who are you referring to? Hopefully not me because I never said that. Definitely wanted Diarra to expose Edey's slowness but never said anything about Newton.

 

[Mr. French]

Dalton Knecht is who I see.

I had Gradey Dick and Dalton Knecht in my original post comp, but I felt I couldn’t just do 2 white guys haha

 

[Mr. French]

He’s a 2/3 wing who shoots, rebounds, does a little of everything well but is primarily a scorer.

He’s got good size but he’s not a banger or finisher, he’s a perimeter player/scorer. He’ll instantly shoot and fit in the offense, imo.