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NBA Draft insider says Indiana basketball signee will provide ‘instant impact’ next year

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11 months ago

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Indiana basketball signee Liam McNeeley
One NBA Draft insider says Liam McNeeley will provide an 'instant impact' next year for Indiana basketball. (Andrew West - The News-Press)

The Indiana basketball program has seen an influx of talent over the 2.5 years under head coach Mike Woodson and the 2024 recruiting class will likely continue that tradition.

Despite having just one signee at the moment, the Indiana basketball staff is heavily involved in the race for numerous other five-star targets.

Indiana’s lone signee is five-star wing Liam McNeeley, however. The Montverde Academy (Fla.) do-it-all perimeter player has been terrific to start the season for the Eagles and continues to showcase his all-around playmaking ability.

So far this season, McNeeley is averaging 12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He’s shooting 51 percent from the floor and 50 percent on 3s.

He helped lift Montverde to a City of Palms Championship last week. During the event, McNeeley had games of 10, 16, 16 and then 15 points en route to All-Tournament honors.

Montverde beat Cannon (Nc.) and Archbishop Stepinac (Ny.) easily in the first two rounds and then had its first single-digit win of the season against Paul VI (DC) in the semifinals. Then it was a 73-59 win over Long Island Lutheran in the finals.

Following the event, NBA Draft insider and analyst Jonathan Wasserman came away impressed with McNeeley’s feel and all-around impact on the floor.

“Liam McNeeley with an efficient 15 for Montverde vs. LuHi. Advanced shooter with great body control attacking closeouts. IQ shows at both ends,” Wasserman wrote. “Instant impact coming at Indiana.”

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.

Scout’s Take: What Liam McNeeley’s commitment means for Indiana basketball

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.

“Liam is a very smart basketball player who will bring leadership, skill, and high-level shooting to our ball club,” 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.”

SEE ALSO: Liam McNeeley bringing ‘something missing that we needed’ to Indiana basketball next year

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Alec Lasley is the owner of Hoosier Illustrated, a comprehensive site covering news, updates and recruiting for Indiana University athletics. Alec has covered Indiana for six years and is a credentialed media member. He has previously worked for both Rivals and 247Sports.

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