This year’s Connecticut team has been disappointing. The Huskies, coming off back-to-back national titles, are expected to win every time they step on the floor. However, Dan Hurley’s group is just 18-8, and the team is currently 36th in efficiency for both KenPom and Bart Torvik. The kids might call that “mid.” But Liam McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 freshman wing, has been anything but that. The 19-year-old is averaging 15.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this year, and his play is a big part of the reason the Huskies’ season hasn’t spiraled out of control. And McNeeley, the ninth-ranked player in the 2024 ESPN 100, has a skill set that NBA front offices should love.

Given the league’s emphasis on floor spacing and perimeter scoring, it’s hard not to see a bright future for McNeeley. The freshman is shooting 36.6% from behind the three-point line, and he’s doing so on 5.2 attempts per game. McNeeley has picture-perfect mechanics, including a gorgeous, high release that pairs well with his already solid size. He’s also precise with his footwork, really understands how to move off the ball and just has everything you’re looking for in a devastating spot-up shooter. Playing in Hurley’s intricate offensive system will only aid him in becoming the best version of himself at the next level.

Of course, shooting 36.6% from three doesn’t exactly make you a sniper. However, McNeeley should be able to flirt with 40.0% or so throughout his NBA career. The indicators are there. McNeeley is extremely comfortable taking floaters around the paint, and he’s an 86.5% free throw shooter. Those two things generally bode well for a player’s future. Combining them with his textbook release makes it hard to worry about him. McNeeley also shot 45.9% from deep during the 2023-24 EYBL season. If that’s not enough, head over to YouTube and look at the clips of his 38-point performance in a road win over Creighton. McNeeley went 5-for-10 from three in that game, and his blistering hot shooting helped the Huskies win in a very difficult road environment.

As far as shooters go, McNeeley might be the best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. It’s either McNeeley or Duke’s Kon Knueppel, but the Connecticut wing is a bigger physical presence on the floor. While Duke lists Knueppel at 6-foot-7, that measurement is highly questionable. McNeeley looks a lot bigger and should provide his next team with more positional versatility. In fact, the only real edge Knueppel might have over him is the quickness in his release. McNeeley doesn’t exactly get his jumper off in a hurry. But size is extremely important when talking about two players that are lacking in athleticism. McNeeley is also more dangerous in other parts of the game.

While nobody will mistake McNeeley for a prolific shot creator, you really see his confidence build when he’s knocking down shots. And while McNeeley isn’t all that quick or athletic, he is very decisive. So, if his jumper is working well enough to make defenders play up on him, he will drive to the basket and make them pay for being overzealous. McNeeley is also a tough player, so he isn’t afraid of going up and embracing contact. A lot of that also makes McNeeley a good off-ball player. Not only is he good at roaming around and freeing himself up for jumpers, but he knows how to use his shooting gravity to cut to the basket and get easy buckets at the rim.

McNeeley also happens to be a strong connective piece. He really has a good feel for the game, as he has proven to be quick with his reads and extremely unselfish. Those are things that make McNeeley a dream teammate, and they’re part of an overall package that was very appealing to Hurley. The UConn head coach has made it known publicly that he’s not interested in just any five-star recruit. He needs them to be coachable and willing to sacrifice. McNeeley fits the bill there.

With McNeeley, the only thing really holding him back is the aforementioned below-average athleticism and general lack of burst. McNeeley really struggles to create offense for himself, and the Huskies ask him to do it quite often. As an off-the-dribble shooter, McNeeley leaves a lot to be desired. And he struggles to blow by solid wing defenders. So, McNeeley might not possess a lot of upside as a secondary — or even tertiary — playmaker.

Defensively, McNeeley is going to have some scouts worried. He’s definitely somewhat slow-footed and can even look stiff when guarding the perimeter. That’s not what you want in a player that is going to primarily defend twos and threes in the NBA. However, McNeeley does compete hard, he is trustworthy as a help defender and there’s room for him to improve his body physically. McNeeley will likely pack on some muscle with an NBA training staff, and there’s work that can be done to help him become a little more mobile and twitchy.

Oddly enough, McNeeley sounds like an upperclassman when breaking down his game. Guys like Cam Johnson and Corey Kispert come to mind when thinking about this archetype. And those are two players that went outside of the top 10 because of their ages. Because of that, it’ll be interesting to see where McNeeley ultimately goes on draft night. He’s much younger than both of them were when they were drafted, suggesting more long-term upside. But you can make of that what you will, as Johnson ended up outperforming his draft slot by quite a bit. Many, including myself, believe there’s still a lot of growth that can happen in the pros, even for players that three or four years of college ball.

Regardless, McNeeley is a player that should torch nets in the NBA. And while he might not seem like a player with an exciting ceiling, a super high floor is exciting in itself. Players with McNeeley’s length, shooting ability and instincts rarely flame out in the NBA. In fact, getting caught up in overthinking a player’s physical profile feels like something that has killed front offices in recent years.

It’s also worth noting that Hurley’s track record with elite high school recruits has been quite good, with Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan both playing well as rookies. Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. have also had their moments. McNeeley should keep things going in a positive direction.