Liam McNeeley Joins Charlotte Hornets, Celebrates Basketball Legacy

Liam McNeeley’s basketball journey began at the tender age of three, when he first picked up a ball at the Richardson YMCA's Small Fry Sports program. The moment he stepped onto the court, he was captivated.

"Basketball has always been my favorite thing to do," McNeeley shared, his enthusiasm palpable. "I always have a super wide smile on my face when I'm playing and that's how I feel on the inside as well."

This passion for basketball is deeply rooted in his family history. His mother, Ashley Elsey, played at Rice University, while his grandfather represented TCU and his great-grandfather played for the University of Tulsa.

"It's just kind of part of our family culture," Elsey explained. "You get into it. You know there's balls everywhere, at everyone's house, and we just watch games together."

McNeeley’s dedication extended beyond mere enjoyment; he honed his skills at J.J. Pearce High School and John Paul II High School before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, a renowned institution for elite basketball talent. He later played college basketball at the University of Connecticut.

Reflecting on his career aspirations, McNeeley pinpointed a pivotal moment: "I would say my junior year of high school when I was at Montverde Academy in Florida," he recalled.

His senior year culminated in an undefeated season and a national championship, setting the stage for draft night—a moment of triumph.

"My team had four first-round draft picks in this draft: Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, Asa Newell, and me," he noted proudly.

Now, McNeeley is set to join the Charlotte Hornets. "You know, that is what I've always dreamed about," he expressed. "Hearing my name called, walking up on the stage. Putting the hat on. Shaking Adam Silver's hand."

Post-draft, he celebrated with former teammate Cooper Flagg, who recently signed with the Dallas Mavericks. "You know that's my brother," McNeeley said. "I'm super happy for him. We spent a lot of time together at Montverde and through the summer, and just through this process."

He even offered Flagg some local advice: "You know I told him to stay on the Tex-Mex," he laughed. "He's never really had Tex-Mex before and that's my favorite food, but you know my family and friends are super excited to see him and just be close to him."

In the days following the draft, McNeeley has been cherishing moments with his family. "I was going through photos and just searched 'basketball' on my phone, and a million pictures came up," Elsey recalled. "The pictures of the YMCA playing Small Fry basketball with his little yellow penny just brought tears to my eyes."

As he prepares for this new chapter in his life, McNeeley remains grounded in his roots, vowing never to forget the gym where it all began.

Raised in Richardson, Erin Jones is proud to call North Texas home. Her passion for journalism began in elementary school. For a 5th-grade graduation memory book, she was asked what do you want to be when you grow up? She wrote journalist.