The UConn Huskies kicked off this season with a bold mission: to achieve only the second three-peat in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. Their head coach Dan Hurley is poised to make his mark in the sport’s legendary records, where only one name currently holds that distinction—John Wooden, who led UCLA Bruins to a three-peat back in the late 1960s. Nevertheless, it’s not going to be a piece of cake, especially with the departure of the Huskies’ impressive trio of players from last season.

But that doesn’t mean it will be an impossible task for the Huskies in blue and white as they have added a few fresh faces on their roster to fill the void left by departing stars Donovan Clingan, Stephen Castle, and Tristen Newton. Hurley has brought in three talented freshmen this season, and among them is standout recruit Liam McNeeley, a promising five-star athlete. Today, we take a closer look at McNeeley’s stats and NIL potential as he eagerly steps up to contribute to UConn’s pursuit of a historic three-peat and join Hurley’s legacy of champions.

UConn freshman Liam McNeeley: From Montverde Academy star to Husky hopeful

While much of the spotlight was on Duke freshman Cooper Flagg and his college debut, UConn’s own freshman Liam McNeeley also hails from the same academy where Flagg used to play. Ranked among the top 10 in his class, the standout forward earned recognition for being a versatile playmaker rather than a one-dimensional specialist at the prestigious Montverde Academy.

Standing tall at 6’8″, forward Liam McNeeley spent two impressive seasons at Florida’s powerhouse Montverde Academy before committing to Dan Hurley’s UConn program earlier this year. But Montverde wasn’t where McNeeley’s high school journey began—his path saw a couple of turns along the way. Originally from Texas, McNeeley started at J.J. Pearce High School, where he completed his freshman year. After that, he transferred to John Paul II High School, where he first began turning heads with his standout performances.

In his sophomore year, McNeeley showcased his all-around talent, averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, along with 2 steals and blocks per game. Recognizing his potential, McNeeley chose to step outside his comfort zone and leave his home turf to join Montverde Academy. This move was all about seeking higher exposure and tougher competition—an environment he knew would help him elevate his game.

Along his way to Montverde, McNeeley also began turning heads on the international stage. Competing with the U.S. national U-16 team, he helped secure a gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship in Xalapa, Mexico. Averaging 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, McNeeley contributed to Team USA’s flawless 6-0 record, showcasing his potential beyond the high school circuit.

Well, his excellence didn’t fade away in the competitive environment of Florida’s academy as he put up solid numbers in both his junior and senior years despite the academy’s intense competition. In his first season at Montverde, he averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC).

His senior year saw him come off the bench, yet he still managed impressive stats—12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Over two seasons and 58 games, McNeeley maintained a steady 12.4 points per game, solidifying his status as a reliable scorer and playmaker on the court.

Thanks to his standout performances at Montverde, McNeeley earned the prestigious honor of selection to play in both the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and the Jordan Brand Classic during his senior year. All of these accolades helped him earn the No. 9 spot in the Class of 2024 rankings. Building on this momentum, UConn head coach Dan Hurley successfully secured McNeeley’s commitment in April 2024, adding another star to the Huskies’ roster.

Now that McNeeley has made his impressive debut for UConn, his NIL value is expected to skyrocket, with reports suggesting it’s already approaching the million-dollar mark.

A quiet presence on social media, but a decent deal in NIL

The 19-year-old is still finding his footing in the world of college basketball, and as a result, his social media presence isn’t massive—yet. With just over 39k followers on Instagram and around 8k on X, he’s not yet a social media sensation. His Instagram account, for instance, features only 22 posts. However, despite his relatively low profile online, the UConn forward is already proving his worth in the NIL space.

Ranked 25th on the On3 NIL list, he’s ahead of notable figures like Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal, who sits at number 33. The Texas native is currently valued at $988k, just shy of hitting the million-dollar mark. His growing influence off the court has led him to sign deals with brands that include JBL Audio and UConn’s own collective, Bleeding Blue For Good.

Both of those deals have come after his commitment announcement to UConn. While he may still trail behind other top-ranked college players like Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and Mark Sears in terms of NIL earnings, his value is on the rise. After his eye-catching UConn debut, where he scored 18 points, his NIL potential could soar as he continues to make a name for himself on the court.

“I really haven’t done anything. My slate is clean. I can’t take credit for those two national championships, but I do want to take credit for one,” McNeeley had stated before the 2024-25 season tipped off. If he lives up to his words and plays a key role in Hurley’s program, McNeeley could set himself on a path toward a bright NBA future. Whether he teams up with or competes against his former Montverde teammate Cooper Flagg, only time will tell. But for now, fans are eager to see what McNeeley brings to the court this season.