While the Indiana basketball program is in full swing with the start of its regular season, so is high school basketball and the Hoosiers’ lone signee.
Five-star wing Liam McNeeley and Montverde Academy (Fla.) began their 2023-24 season on Monday. McNeeley, entering his senior season, started off with a big performance.
Montverde defeated Wasatch Academy (UT) 88-53 and Liam McNeeley led the way. McNeeley led all scorers in the game with 21 points and was extremely efficient doing so. He was 8-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-5 on 3s. He added one assist and one steal in 22 minutes. 15 of his 21 points came in the first half.
Wasatch Academy has four four-star prospects in the 2024 and 2025 classes as well as top-10 junior guard Isiah Harwell.
McNeeley committed to Indiana last month after being prioritized by the Indiana basketball coaching staff for the majority of the last 12 months. He chose Indiana over Kansas. He also had offers from Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and nearly two dozen other programs.
Last year he averaged 13.7 points and was second in the NIBC averaging 2.2 made 3s per game.
Playing for 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).
“They emphasized me being a bigger guard and being versatile. Coming off ball screens or posting up smaller defenders and moving the ball in transition,” McNeeley previously told HoosierIllustrated.com about IU’s pitch. ” … I see myself coming in and making winning plays to help the team in as many ways as possible.”
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 was also named to the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year watch list last week.
“Liam is a very smart basketball player who will bring leadership, skill, and high-level shooting to our ball club,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said when McNeeley signed. “He is a selfless player that will do everything he can to help us win games. His versatility and shooting ability really stood out to our staff throughout the recruiting process. He plays the game the right way, he is a winner, and now he is a Hoosier.”
Derik Queen, McNeeley’s teammate and top 2024 target for Indiana, also had a strong opening performance. He scored 17 points on 7-of-13 from the field with eight rebounds and three blocks.
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