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Liam McNeeley Predicted to Join $165 Million NBA Star After Leaving Dan Hurley

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 9:15 AM ET

UConn came into this season looking to enter some rarified air by winning its third straight national championship. However, instead of getting into the stratosphere, it crashed to the ground early in the men's NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies lost by just two points to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the second round of the tournament. Forward Liam McNeeley kept them in it with 22 points, but it wasn't enough.

After one season in college, McNeeley is expected to make himself eligible for this June's NBA draft. A mock draft by ESPN has him being taken in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks and paired with Anthony Davis, the Mavs' $165 million superstar big man.

On the season, McNeeley averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game, although he shot just 38.1 percent from the field and hit only 31.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. While he lacks athleticism at 6-foot-7, scouts seem to feel his 3-point accuracy will improve due to his ability to knock down treys in catch-and-shoot situations.

He has also been lauded for his movement off the ball and his ability to make the right pass to the right teammate.

Dallas has been struggling after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade two months ago and has had several key injuries, but it should be able to field a competitive team next season if healthy. It could use more wing depth, and perhaps McNeeley could help with that.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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