The Charlotte Hornets acquired the 29th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by [trading Mark Williams to the Suns](https://atthehive.com/2025/06/25/hornets-trade-mark-williams-for-29th-pick-and-future-first/). With that pick, the Hornets selected Liam McNeeley, wing out of UConn.
McNeeley struggled a bit with his shot making at UConn, but he’s long been known as a deadeye shooter from deep. His 86.6% free throw percentage suggests that shooting touch hasn’t left him; it was just a down year. Along with the shooting, he brings a high feel for the game and a competitive spirit on both ends of the floor, even if he’s a bit limited physically.
McNeeley is very much like [Hornets fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel](https://atthehive.com/2025/06/25/charlotte-hornets-select-kon-knueppel-with-4th-overall-pick-in-2025-nba-draft/) as a prospect. In fact, he was a more highly rated prospect coming out of high school, but he didn’t have quite the freshman season people were expecting, and that knocked him down draft boards.
Between Knueppel and McNeeley, the Hornets have vastly improved their 3-point shooting talent. Both players bring a competitive mentality and have a strong feel for the game. They should be able to fit in seamlessly and fill it up from deep in a way few Hornets could last season.
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