Indiana basketball signee Liam McNeeley a projected lottery pick in ESPN 2025 mock draft

The Indiana basketball program may have another one-and-done on its hands in the upcoming class. The first installment of the 2025 ESPN mock draft came out on Monday and IU’s lone signee for the 2024 class is listed.

Jonathan Givony, ESPN’s NBA Draft Analyst and founder of DraftExpress, put out his first 2025 mock draft and Indiana incoming freshman Liam McNeeley was the lone Hoosier among the 60 picks.

McNeeley is a projected lottery pick at No. 11 overall.

McNeeley is the fourth five-star prospect to commit to Indiana under Mike Woodson. He is the second-highest prospect to commit to Indiana since 2018.

He is the 34th McDonald’s All-American to play for the Indiana basketball program. Currently, Kel’el Ware and Mackenzie Mgbako are the two players on the roster with the honor.

“He does all the necessary things on and off the floor but I just like the fact that he competes. He likes to compete. He can shoot the ball. He can pass the ball. He handles the basketball. There’s a lot of quality things that he does on the floor and we’re fortunate enough to get him,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said of McNeeley when he signed. ” … I’ll put it this way, I think he’s college ready from a physical standpoint.”

McNeeley is a 6-foot-7 wing who has been one of the most efficient and effective all-around players over the last two years.

Last season, McNeeley averaged 13.7 points and was second in the NIBC averaging 2.2 made 3s per game. Over the summer playing for the Florida Rebels on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer, McNeeley averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 17 games. He shot 37 percent from three (30-of-81).

Per MaxPreps, McNeeley is averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this year. He is also shooting 46 percent (58-of-126) from three. In NIBC games alone, he is averaging 2.2 made 3s per game.

“I just think it’s going to be a major plus for our program because he can really shoot the basketball, and we don’t really have that right now,” Woodson said after signing day. “It was something missing that we needed, and we got to go out and continue to find kids who can make shots.”

Indiana basketball could be in store to have its third consecutive first-round draft pick if McNeeley, in fact, becomes one. Indiana had top-20 selection Jalen Hood-Schifino last year and is expected to have Kel’el Ware this year — currently projected towards the end of the first round or early second in most mock drafts.

“He’s one of the more unique Top-10, five-star type of prospect in recent years in my eyes,” MADE Hoops national scout Max Feldman told HoosierIllustrated. “Most step onto the floor and provide big flashes primarily, but tend to lack a steadiness. McNeeley is the antithesis — he’s ultra steady in his approach, takes what defenses give him and makes the right play at a very high rate. A high level shooter, connector and communicator at 6-7+. He processed the game at an exceptionally high level and has a rare level of polish to his game.”

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