Liam McNeeley emerging as one of the best prospects in 2024

On3 has not yet begun ranking the class of 2024, but you can bet Plano (Texas) John Paul II’s Liam McNeeley will be high on the list.

The 6-foot-8 point forward has already reeled in offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Stanford, among others. For his full list of offers, read here.

McNeeley has already started to take advantage of the recruiting process and has unofficially visited quite a few schools – Texas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and TCU.

McNeeley breaks down college visits

Texas: “Austin is a really cool city to me. The campus is mixed into downtown Austin so there were a bunch of people everywhere. The city was very modern. They’re actually getting their basketball court rebuilt so coach (Chris) Beard showed me the plans for that. That was really cool. Their stadium is really big, and a great stadium right now, but Coach Beard is making it even better.”

Oklahoma State: “It was really cool. We stayed for a football game as well. Their chemistry together, and their vibe as a team, they are just really really close. The coaches are really close with their players. I think Coach (Mike) Boynton has the best shoe game in the country. He was rocking some clean kicks every day. It was really fun and a good learning experience.”

Oklahoma: “It was really cool too. They have a separate building where they do rehab, physical therapy, and lifting. They have really cool technology there. It’s called the Griffin Family Performance Center because you know, Blake Griffin went there. My sister was at Oklahoma at the time, so we got to see her when she was in school so that was cool. Coach Porter (Moser) coaches with a lot of passion. His players really buy into what he’s saying. So that shows a lot about the coach he is.

TCU: “I actually went on that visit with RJ (Jones). We toured the campus, saw what a dorm room looks like. Before all that, we watched a practice, watched Coach (Jamie) Dixon coach up the guys. That was really cool. There was fun energy in there. The team has really good energy. And then we were there for the football game, but man, it was really fun. It wasn’t too far from home so it was easy to get there. I just had a really good time, especially with RJ being there too.”

The family tradition

Playing Division 1 college hoops is nothing new to the McNeeley family.

Liam’s great grandfather played at Tulsa, his grandfather at TCU, his mother at Rice, an uncle at SMU and Baylor, and another uncle at SMU.

The McNeeley family has kept college hoops (mostly) within the state of Texas. With that being said, how does Liam, who’s next in line, feel about traveling farther away from home?

“I think it’s just a coincidence that Texas has a lot of really good schools, that are really good at basketball. But I personally don’t think the location is going to influence my decision, at all. I’m just looking for a great basketball program and academic school with a coach that cares about me on and off the court. I think having a great relationship with your coach is going to translate well into games.”

Official visits

McNeeley has yet to take an official visit, considering he’s still a sophomore, but he does have an idea of who he’d like to see.

“Definitely Duke, for sure because there is so much history there,” he says. “Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Stanford because that’s obviously a great program and great school.”

Yes, McNeeley did name six schools, and he only gets five officials for his junior year. However, the majority of the schools he named (Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State) are all within driving distance so he very well could take an unofficial to one if need be.

Duke interest

Duke is one of the latest schools to keep an eye on McNeeley. What does he like about the Blue Devils?

“Just the history of that school and the winning mentality that they have, it’s a blue blood. I’ve talked to Coach (Jon) Scheyer, and he’s a great guy. He’s obviously going to be a great coach after Coach K because he’s learned from Coach K, one of the best college coaches of all time. I’m looking forward to watching him coach his first year as a head coach at Duke so I’m excited to see what he can do.”

On Wednesday night, prior to this interview with McNeeley, Indiana had just gotten off the phone with the elite sophomore prospect.

“I just got off the phone with Indiana like 30 minutes ago,” he said. “It was the first time for us talked and they were just trying to start a relationship. Brian Walsh reached out.”

McNeeley describes his game

McNeeley might be listed as a small forward, however, he plays more of a point-forward role.

“I bring the ball up all the time, run sets, initiate the offense, but other times, I’ll play the four, set screens, pick and pop, down screens, quick posts. So I do a lot. I play one through four and can guard one through four. I just try to be as versatile as I can.”

What position does McNeeley want to play in college?

“Probably the same position I’m playing right now,” he says. “The point forward, where I have the ball in my hands a lot and where I’m initiating the offense and making plays for myself and my teammates. So not where I’m just only a pass-first point guard or only a post-up big, I want to be both.”

What does McNeeley want to work on before getting to college?

“Just getting physically stronger. I know that’ll come with time. And then on-ball defense against those quick fast guards.”