Latest news with #LiamMcNeeley
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley
NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to evaluate which prospect they'll add to the roster. Their decision-making also includes consideration of how that roster might change via trades and free agency. Advertisement Rumors swirled about Kevin Durant getting traded to the Timberwolves, but those were recently shut down with reports KD wasn't interested in playing for them. Meanwhile, the team could still make a trade or two. Their young backup guard, Rob Dillingham, center Rudy Gobert, and Donte DiVincenzo were all mentioned as possible trade assets. The Wolves could also lose roster members via free agency. Naz Reid is one individual mentioned as possibly exploring his options. Julius Randle seems less likely to leave right now. With the NBA Draft, the Timberwolves hold the No. 17 pick, giving them another trade asset. However, they may opt to keep the pick and gamble on finding a gem for their roster. University of Connecticut forward Liam McNeeley drives to the Donnan-Imagn Images According to a recent NBA Mock Draft from SI's Nick Crain, University of Connecticut's Liam McNeeley will be available at No. 17, allowing Minnesota to select him. Advertisement McNeeley was a highly-touted five-star recruit who played high school ball alongside Cooper Flagg, among other first-rounders this year. In his freshman campaign at UConn, he averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The 6-foot-7 forward was an essential part of UConn's season and postseason, which featured a near-run to the NCAA Final Four under Dan Hurley. He showed a variety of skills on the court, including potential for high-scoring games, with a 38-point outburst in UConn's win against Creighton in February. While SI's mock draft displayed McNeeley at No. 17, the other predictions for his draft spot differ vastly. A mock draft from Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor earlier this week suggested McNeeley might go as high as the No. 11 pick for the Portland Trailblazers. Advertisement Other drafts show the UConn Huskies star dropping to No. 20 for the Miami Heat or No. 23 where the Boston Celtics could take him. The 19-year-old ranks as the sixth-best small forward available in the draft, per They tout McNeeley as 'one of the most polished and dependable offensive wings' in the draft, and a great shooter with deep range. The knocks against him could be "speed and burst," possibly raising concerns about his future upside. However, contends McNeeley could provide a solid shooter and long-term floor spacer for a team's rotation. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is on Wednesday, June 25 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Other potential picks that the Timberwolves could take at No. 17 include BYU's Egor Denim or Georgia's Asa Newell, who is McNeeley's former high school teammate. Related: NBA Mock Draft Sees Timberwolves Pick Forward Who Compared Himself to Chris Bosh This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Utah Jazz's perfect outcome for No. 21 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
The post Utah Jazz's perfect outcome for No. 21 pick in 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Utah Jazz may not have had the lottery outcome they were expecting, but they still have options to add impact-level players to their roster with the picks they have in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Jazz currently hold two first round picks in the NBA Draft at No. 5 and No. 21. Advertisement Despite finishing with the worst overall record in the 2024-25 season, lottery luck did not bounce the Jazz's way as they were not only bumped out of the top three, but the top four as well. The Jazz have options though to add a starting caliber player at No. 5. And then comes pick No. 21 for the Jazz. For a team that already has one of the younger rosters in the NBA, the team has some uncertainty on their roster in terms of what some of those young players project to be long-term in the NBA. Adding more young talent to that mix could further complicate things. But for a team in rebuild mode like the Jazz, it's never a bad thing to have a lot of draft capital. The team is in evaluation mode and needs to use summer league and training camp to get more of a firm idea as to who can be a part of the long-term future. At pick No. 21, the Jazz could opt to move the pick as part of a trade, or they can simply keep the pick for now. This article will be written under the assumption that the Jazz keep that pick. In fact, the it's increasingly likely that the Jazz make all of their picks in the draft rather than consolidate them in a potential trade, as per Ben Anderson of KSL Sports. With that said, here is the best potential outcome for the Jazz with the No. 21 pick in the NBA Draft. Jazz draft Liam McNeeley David Banks-Imagn Images The 2024-25 Big East Freshman of the Year, Liam McNeeley's potential draft status features two possible outcomes. Some see him as a potential lottery pick, while others seem being available in the mid to late first round. In the event that McNeeley slips in the draft is available at No. 21, the Jazz need to seriously consider selecting him. Advertisement McNeeley has good size and fits the frame of a modern NBA wing. He stands around 6 feet 7 inches and weighs in at around 210 pounds. His defensive ability and size allows him to guard multiple positions. One potential question though coming into the draft is McNeeley's shooting ability. He shot just 31.7 percent from three-point range during his lone season at UConn. But shooting can be worked on, size cannot. If the Jazz put in the work to help him improve his shooting, he's a modern NBA wing and contributor on a good NBA roster. Jazz draft Jase Richardson David Banks-Imagn Images If the Jazz aren't sold on McNeeley or he is not available at No. 21, another player they should target at pick No. 21 is Jase Richardson. It's possible Richardson is gone by the time they pick, but that's why this article is the best possible outcome for the Jazz. Richardson being available for the Jazz to draft is a best possible outcome. Advertisement One of the most important aspects of Richardson's game is his ability to play both on ball and off the ball. He's a good catch and shoot player who shot 41.2 percent from three-point range in his lone season at Michigan State. He can create his own shot off the dribble and he is a good finisher at the basket. With the Jazz rumored to be looking to trade veteran guards Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, as per Jared Koch of Sports Illustrated, Richardson would be a perfect replacement for them. While neither Sexton nor Clarkson fit in the Jazz's long-term future, Richardson does. Related: Jazz rumors: Bill Simmons hints at Lauri Markkanen's trade availability Related: 3 players Utah Jazz must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Projected first-round pick Liam McNeeley declares for 2025 NBA draft
Projected first-round pick Liam McNeeley declares for 2025 NBA draft UConn forward Liam McNeeley told ESPN on Tuesday that he will declare for the 2025 NBA draft after a dazzling freshman campaign with the Huskies. McNeeley was the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.5 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists on 38.1% shooting from the field. He is the seventh player in program history to win the award, joining the likes of Stephon Castle, Rudy Gay and Khalid El-Amin. The 6-foot-7 standout registered five 20-point games, including a career-high 38 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range on Feb. 11. He joined Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant as the only freshmen in modern history with 35 points, 10 rebounds and five 3s in a road game. McNeeley is projected to be a mid-first-round pick in the draft, given his size, feel and physical playing style. He also showed a knack for getting into the paint and finishing through contact, while also earning trips to the free-throw line. The 19-year-old entered the season highly touted as a shooter on the move and off the catch out of the Montverde Academy. However, he only converted 31.7% on 5.4 attempts per game from 3-point range, which will likely be an area of emphasis for him to improve this offseason. McNeeley will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in private workouts and the draft combine on May 11-18 in Chicago, Illinois. He is looking to be the third straight player from UConn to be drafted in the first round.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
March Madness 2025: Bad beat for bettors as last-second 3-pointer pushes Florida-UConn over the total
Every year during March Madness, we're accustomed to buzzer-beaters and last-second finishes — but usually they relate to the outcome of the game. In the betting world, these exist in the form of bad beats — and there was a particularly awful one for some bettors during the ending of the Florida-UConn game. With the betting total closing at 150.5 at BetMGM and other sportsbooks, those who had wagered on the game going under were in fantastic shape with the score 70-64 after Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. made a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining in the game. But 18 points were scored over the final 40 seconds, including a meaningless-to-the-game-outcome Liam McNeeley 3-pointer at the buzzer, to push the game over the total in a 77-75 Florida win. The Huskies, 9.5-point underdogs against No. 1 Florida, did cover the spread in a record 14th straight NCAA tournament game, although that will be little consolation for their fans. UConn played well and led throughout most of the game. FLORIDA DEFEATS THE 2-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPS 🐊@GatorsMBK IS HEADED TO THE #SWEET16 🔥#MarhcMadness — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025 The game going over the total was a bad result at BetMGM, which reported 87% of the money wagered on the over. One Vegas oddsmaker texted Yahoo Sports that the result was, simply, "no good."
Fox Sports
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 March Madness Bad Beats: Last-second 3 in Florida-UConn cashes Over
It was the 3-pointer heard 'round the betting world. Defending champion UConn faced off with 1-seed Florida in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on Sunday, and it was a slobberknocker, start to finish. In the end, Florida emerged with a 77-75 win — but that doesn't complete the story. With the Gators leading 77-72, after two made free throws by sophomore forward Thomas Haugh, the win was essentially sealed for Florida, as only five seconds remained on the clock. However, UConn didn't stop playing. The Huskies pushed the ball upcourt before freshman forward Liam McNeeley took a deep 3 as time expired. Cash. Final score: 77-75. Can you guess what the Over/Under total was for the game? If you guessed 150.5, you were correct. That final 3 brought the total to 152, creating a win for Over bettors and a heartbreaking loss for those that took the Under. In fact, with just 11 seconds to go, Florida led 74-68, a total of 142 points. But over the course of those final 11 seconds, the two teams combined to score 10 points to bring the total to 152. Adding further insult to Over bettors, McNeeley was 1-for-7 from 3 prior to that long connection. He finished the game 2-for-8 from distance. Better luck next round, Over bettors. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
