ThePortland Trail Blazers’ predraft workouts have picked up the pace with more high-end prospects starting to visit the team’s Tualatin practice facility. The Oregonian/OregonLive is producing mini profiles on most of the top prospects the Blazers could target in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25-26.
Prior posts: Illinois forward Will Riley; Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming.
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Connecticut | 6-7 | Small Forward |19
Background: McNeeley was a five-star recruit out of Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, where he played with former Georgia forward Asa Newell, who also worked out for the Blazers on Thursday.
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Raleigh
Liam McNeeley #30 of the Connecticut Huskies puts up a shot against the Florida Gators during the second round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)NCAA Photos via Getty Images
2024-25 statistics: McNeeley started 26 games as a true freshman and averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He shot 38.1% from the field and 31.7% from long distance.
McNeely was named Big East Freshman of the Year and third-team All-Conference.
Mock drafts: McNeeley is widely expected to be selected in the middle of the first round. The Blazers have the No. 11 pick in the draft.
YahooSports.com: No. 14, San Antonio Spurs.
Bleacher Report: No. 15, Oklahoma City Thunder.
USA Today: No. 16, Orlando Magic.
HoopsHype.com: No. 18, Washington Wizards.
The Ringer: No. 21, Utah Jazz.
CBSSports.com: No. 22, Atlanta Hawks.
SBNation.com: No. 24, Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBADraft.Net: No. 27, Brooklyn Nets.
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Strengths: Some regard McNeely’s shooting form as exceptional, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. He moves well without the ball to get open, and his size and instincts make him a passable defender.
His feel for the game has been praised, and he has a versatile offensive game that could allow him to develop into a consistent scorer.
Weaknesses: McNeely’s shot might look nice, but his accuracy wasn’t there last season, although some of the problem stemmed from playing out of position at times.
He shot 86.6% from the free-throw line, indicating the potential for future improvement for such a young player.
What likely won’t change is his lack of NBA-level athleticism and explosion, which will limit him as a shot creator and on defense, especially early in his career.
Fit with Blazers: Just like with Illinois’ Will Riley, the Blazers don’t need a project with suspect shooting and questionable defense at this point in the team’s development.
McNeely would only fit with the Blazers should he be expected to shoot 38% from three-point range right away, given that shooting is an area of need for the Blazers. That figure could be attainable down the line, but likely not in the near future.
A young player who is a suspect shooter and, at least early on, will likely be a defensive liability against more athletic wings wouldn’t see much playing time next season, given that reaching the postseason is now the goal over player development.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)