The Charlotte Hornets added another promising wing to their young core Wednesday night.
Charlotte acquired the No. 29 overall pick in a draft-night trade with the Phoenix Suns, sending Mark Williams to the desert and bringing Liam McNeeley, a skilled scorer from UConn, to the Carolinas.
The 6-foot-8 forward was one of the most polished offensive players still on the board — and now joins a reshaping roster focused on surrounding franchise cornerstones LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller with spacing, feel and shooting.
Here are five things to know about the Hornets’ newest first-round pick:
1. He burst onto the scene as a freshman
McNeeley made an immediate impact at UConn.
The elite scorer averaged 14.5 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in his lone season with the Huskies, leading the team in scoring while earning Big East freshman of the year, third-team All-Big East and All-Freshman team honors.
His breakthrough performance came Feb. 11 against Creighton, when he dropped 38 points and 10 rebounds — a dominant showing that highlighted his offensive versatility and confidence at the next level.
2. He developed into a well-rounded offensive player
McNeeley entered college known as a sharpshooter — but quickly became much more.
The Richardson, Texas, native improved his off-ball movement, sharpened his passing and thrived in motion-heavy sets under UConn coach Dan Hurley. He shot over 38% from 3-point range, offering floor-spacing potential that fits well with Charlotte’s evolving system.
A consensus five-star recruit and highly-touted player in the 2024 class, McNeeley originally signed a letter of intent with Indiana before decommitting and ultimately landing at UConn.
3. He was part of a historic high school team
Before college, McNeeley helped anchor one of the most dominant prep squads in recent memory.
After stints at J.J. Pearce and John Paul II in Texas, he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. There, McNeeley teamed up with Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, as well as fellow first-rounders Derik Queen and Asa Newell, forming the core of a 33-0 national championship team that won games by an average of 34 points.
McNeeley averaged 12.5 points and 2.8 assists per game as a senior and was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Game. With his selection at No. 29, all four Montverde stars were taken in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
4. He comes from a basketball family
Basketball runs deep in McNeeley’s bloodline — and his foundation was built early.
His mother, Ashley Elsey, played at Rice University from 1994-96 and was his first coach. His grandfather, Chuck Elsey, played at TCU, while his great-grandfather, Gordon Elsey, suited up for Tulsa.
Two of McNeeley’s uncles played Division I basketball at SMU: Chad Elsey (Ashley’s brother) and Josh Ihde (married to Ashley’s sister, Jesse). That multi-generational basketball lineage helped shape his IQ, work ethic and competitive edge.
5. He’s joining a retooled Hornets wing group
McNeeley was technically drafted by the Suns — but like his initial college commitment, that wasn’t his final stop.
He joins Kon Knueppel, the Hornets’ No. 4 overall pick, as part of a reimagined wing rotation. Both bring high basketball IQ, shooting ability and the kind of offensive versatility the franchise has lacked in recent seasons.
Together, they add depth and dimension to a young roster that’s beginning to take shape under head coach Charles Lee, with a clearer identity built on pace, spacing and modern basketball fundamentals.