Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee is relishing the start of training camp, utilizing the extended practice time to fully implement his vision. Lee believes instilling these habits now will give the Hornets their best chance to compete consistently in the demanding NBA season. By DIAMOND VENCES
Knowing what was ahead and the pinch-me-like moment unfolding not far from places where childhood memories got created, Liam McNeeley’s excitement level rose.
The anticipation of being back in Dallas the day after his birthday produced a slight smile.
“Yeah, it’ll be great to be home,” the Hornets’ rookie said leading into Saturday night’s game, “have my family, friends come to the game, see them.”
Charlotte Hornets forward Liam McNeeley (right) chats with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg before Saturday’s preseason game at American Airlines Center. Photo courtesy @hornets
Just consider it another notable occasion for McNeeley, something to add to his digital scrapbook. Factor in McNeeley was on the same court as high school teammate Cooper Flagg — the Duke product and No. 1 overall pick in last June’s NBA Draft — during Saturday night’s 120-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center, and it probably felt like an emotional overload.
“He’s got a lot of happy energy,” coach Charles Lee said. “He’s been really good so far during training camp. I think that the goal for him is just to continue to build consistent habits. He’s still got to learn to finish things defensively and how to bring an edge and a physicality on that side of the court. He’s super competitive, so I know when we have challenged him he responds.”
McNeeley’s return home came four months after the Hornets selected him late in the first round, jumping back in to pluck him off the board at No. 29 overall following his lone season at Connecticut, and mere days after being named in the NBA.com annual GM survey as one of the steals of the draft based on where he was picked.
Projected by some pundits to land higher in the draft, the 6-foot-7 big man’s fall was the Hornets’ gain. Acquired from Phoenix along with a 2029 first-round pick for Mark Williams to Phoenix, McNeeley’s season with the Huskies caught Charlotte’s attention.
He led UConn in scoring and finished second in rebounding en route to garnering 2024-25 Big East Freshman of the Year honors and a third-team all-conference selection.
But now he’s in the transition phase, adjusting to a variety of things. And among the primary challenges is learning new defensive principles.
“I would say we’re heavy in the gaps, we protect the paint, and we put more focus on protecting the paint here in Charlotte than we did at UConn,” McNeeley said. “So, just staying in the gaps and doing something that I’m not used to doing.”
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) works on Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) in the first half of Saturday’s game at American Airlines Center. Raymond Carlin III Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
At least he has company there, given he’s only one member of the Hornets’ spirited crop of rookies highlighted by Kon Knueppel. In grabbing McNeeley in the same class as Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte wanted to infuse its roster with youthful players boasting an old school mentality.
And Lee is eager to tap into McNeeley’s potential.
“Offensively, he’s really got the total package to him,” Lee said. “I’ve been able to watch him catch-and-shoot, I’ve been able to see him drive the ball and facilitate to guys. He offensive rebounds, and so he’s just another one of our core young guys that I think has this mindset of I just want to impact winning at all costs.”
It’s part of the reason why Lee doesn’t want to slap McNeeley with a label. Call him a small forward, power forward. Whatever.
McNeeley’s position should probably be listed as “B.” He’s just a baller. That’s it.
“He’s a playmaker for himself and for his teammates,” Lee said. “He offensive rebounds and competes. He’s a Swiss Army knife, and so I don’t think that we need to put a number position on him. He’s just a player and he’s a winner.”
Charlotte Hornets forward Liam McNeeley (right) poses with friends and family before Saturday’s preseason game at American Airlines Center. Photo courtesy @hornets
Along with being someone who refuses to be pigeonholded. McNeeley intends on performing wherever Lee places him on the court, tapping into his gritty demeanor, and nodded in virtual appreciation when Lee’s words were relayed to him.
“I agree,” McNeeley said. “I take pride in being versatile and doing whatever it takes to get a win. I practice that. I’ve practiced that from a young age and now it’s paying off. And I’ll continue to do whatever it takes, play whatever position for a win.”
In the meantime, he’ll also focus on something else: firming up things on the mental side of the game, allowing him to gain more conviction in what he’s doing. That’s another key step in the growth process.
“I would say just have supreme confidence,” McNeeley said. “I feel like I’m a good decision maker and I got good size and I have confidence on both sides of the ball. I’ll be good.”