Liam McNeeley Bio: Net Worth, Salary, and Professional Career

One of such talented and promising stars on the horizon is Liam McNeeley. The UConn product was declared for the 2025 NBA draft and was the 29th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He is one of the few stars in the 2025 NBA draft who declared for the selection in the NBA after completing just one collegiate season.
Here’s a detailed, descriptive profile of Liam McNeeley, covering his personal life, family background, high school and college stats, honors, career highs, and more.

Liam McNeeley's Early Life

Born on October 10, 2005, in Richardson, Texas, Liam Thomas McNeeley hails from a deeply athletic family. Many of his family members, including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and uncles, played basketball. His mother also played basketball, providing an athletic environment to young Liam McNeeley. His Mother played Division I basketball while his uncles, Chad Elsey (SMU and Baylor, 1997-2001) and John Inde (SMU, 1998-2001), as well as his grandfather, Chuck Elsey (TCU, 1971-73), also played college basketball. His great-grandfather, Gordon Elsey, played at Tulsa (1949).
He started his basketball journey with J. J. Pearce in Texas, and moved to John Paul II in his sophomore year. After securing a title with John Paul, McNeeley turned to the Montverde Academy, where his talents and gameplay earned him numerous personal accolades. He later played his first collegiate season with UConn before declaring for the NBA Draft. His family supported him throughout his career, guiding and encouraging the youngster to reach new highs. Check out Liam McNeeley Stats, personal and professional life below.

Liam McNeeley Personal Information

UConn prodigy, Liam McNeeley, showcased his capabilities from a young age and developed into a star player with the help of his coaches and family’s guidance. His family members, mother, uncles and grandfather, and even great-grandfather played basketball, instilling the athletic genes in the star.
Raised by his mother along with an older sister, Ava, Liam developed a fierce competitive spirit early, often shooting hoops with his mother and his grandfather. The family surrounding helped Laim to quickly capture the basketball knowledge and execute the same to perfection. Check out Liam McNeeley parents. net worth, salary.

Liam McNeeley's Personal Life

19-year-old Liam McNeeley is not very active on social media and has not shared much information about his personal likes in public forums. While Liam has expressed a desire to be known for his helpfulness to others and his academic achievements, his mother sometimes provides updates on Liam’s achievements and work via social media. Liam himself keeps his personal life away from the public eye and is focused on his game at the moment.

Liam McNeeley's Parents

Liam McNeeley parents have a massive influence on his career, with many of his family members already playing basketball at a high level. His mother, Ashley Elsey, played Division I basketball at Rice, and his uncles were also basketball players at the college level. While details about his father are not available in the public domain, the star grew up with his siblings, and his mother took care of the family. Her profession is also under wraps, with Liam McNelley opting to keep his personal life away from the media.

Liam McNeeley Girlfriend

It is common for young sports stars to attract a massive fan following and even be open about their romantic life. Though Liam has a sizable fan following, the star has never spoken about his romantic life. From his instgram post of his prom, we get an idea about Liam McNeeley Girlfriend is Ryann Gleason. As she was seen during his NBA draft festivities, watching the festivities from the stands. Currently looking to play in the NBA, Liam is focused on his goal and often shares his work-related posts on social media. His family members or close associates haven’t confirmed about Liam McNeeley Girlfriend but it is clear from the pictures that something is going on.

Liam McNeeley Contract

Liam McNeeley was selected as the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets (via a reported trade with the Phoenix Suns). As a first-round pick, Liam McNeeley Contract is a guaranteed rookie scale contract.

According to the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), rookie contracts for first-round picks are tied to the NBA salary cap. For a player drafted 29th overall, Liam McNeeley Contract is expected to have a value of around $14,194,138 over four years, with the first two years fully guaranteed. The team will hold options for the third and fourth years of the contract. This guaranteed contract provides McNeeley with financial security as he begins his NBA career with the Charlotte Hornets.

Liam McNeeley's Salary

In 2025-26, Liam McNeeley Salary is $2,763,960, while carrying a cap hit of $2,763,960 and a dead cap value of $2,763,960. As per his 4-year contract, Liam McNeeley Salary on average is $3,548,535. Over the course of his four-year rookie deal, the total value is expected to be approximately $14,194,138. The first two years of this contract are fully guaranteed, with team options for the third and fourth years, which is standard for first-round draft picks under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. This structure provides him with immediate financial stability as he embarks on his professional basketball career. We have presented Liam McNeeley Salary breakdown in the table below as per Spotrac contract details:

Liam McNeeley Net Worth

Liam McNeeley net worth is not publicly available. There is no information about his financial assets or income sources in the provided search results. The search results focus on his basketball career and measurements, but do not mention anything about Liam McNeeley net worth or financial details.
Looking to get into the NBA via the 2025 NBA draft, the player will earn massive paychecks as salary, which would provide him with financial stability to build on. Liam McNeeley's net worth is expected to rise after joining the pro league.

Playing in the prestigious college program, Liam McNeeley’s NIL deals are expected to be on the higher side. The Texas native is currently valued at $988k, just shy of hitting the million-dollar mark. His growing influence off the court has led him to sign deals with brands that include JBL Audio and UConn’s own collective, Bleeding Blue For Good. He is ranked 25th on the On3 NIL list, making him one of the top earners from the 2024 college-athlete group. He is ahead of notable figures like Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal, who sits at number 33.

Liam McNeeley Career

Texas-born Liam Thomas McNeeley has a very impressive career, allowing him to make a mark in his very first season with UConn. The forward was a key member for his high school team, and led the side to the state championship. He even won an MVP award for his performance, highlighting Liam McNeeley’s impact on the games. With his impeccable skills and athleticism, Liam McNeeley delivered many memorable performances during Liam McNeeley college career. Some of Liam McNeeley Stats in the games were 38 points, 10 rebounds vs. Creighton on February 11, 2025. During the NCAA tournament, Liam McNeeley played a crucial role in putting up a fight against the eventual winners, Florida Gators, scoring 22 points.
His most efficient performance came against a defensively strong Gonzaga side, scoring 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, without a turnover. These performances made Liam McNeeley a sensation and boosted his chances in the upcoming NBA draft. At the collegiate level, Laim also showcased his offensive gameplay, delivering some memorable performances for the UConn team. Even though the side failed to win the NCAA championship, Liam McNeeley was praised for his efforts and output on the court. Check out Liam McNeeley Stats in detail below,

Liam McNeeley High School Career

Born in Texas, Liam McNeeley started his basketball journey with a Texas-based team. Liam’s high school career spanned three schools and has been very successful on each side. He starred for J. J. Pearce High School in his first year and gained some basketball techniques he moved to John Paul II (Plano, Texas). As a sophomore, he averaged 17 PPG, 9 RPG, 5 APG, 2 SPG, 2 BPG, helping secure the Texas 6A state championship
Later, he took his talents to Montverde Academy in Florida. As a junior, he averaged 13.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG; as a senior, 12.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, also earning MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic and selection to the McDonald’s All American Game. McNeeley also dominated the AAU Nike EYBL circuit with over 24 PPG during the summers

Liam McNeeley College Career

After a successful high school career, Laim was one of the top prospects for college recruitment. Initially committing to Indiana, Liam decommitted in March 2024 and signed with UConn in April 2024. As a true freshman in 2024–25, he quickly established himself as a great all-around player in his very first season. In Liam McNeeley college career, he averaged 14.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 2.3 APG.

The star was efficient from the field, scoring at .381 FG%, and .317 from the range. His free-throw percentages were also steady, converting 86.6% of shots from the charity line. He had 4 double-doubles, back‑to‑back in the first two games. Liam McNeeley was the first UConn freshman since 1978 to achieve the feat.

Liam McNeeley Professional Career

The Phoenix Suns selected Liam McNeeley 29th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, but his rights were immediately traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the Suns and Hornets pick swap deal on draft day. Liam McNeeley college basketball impressed at the NBA Draft Combine with elite agility and shooting numbers. McNeeley did slip a bit on draft night, likely due to his overall shooting consistency and defensive athleticism, but Charlotte picked up a high-IQ wing shooter to add to their backcourt. With the 29th pick, he will be the third one-and-done Husky under Dan Hurley, who was selected in the first round, and Charlotte is hopeful that he can carve out a rotational opportunity early in his NBA career.

Liam McNeeley Shoes

As a first-round NBA draft pick, Liam McNeeley will likely secure an endorsement deal with a major athletic shoe company soon, if he hasn't already. Throughout his amateur career, particularly during his time in high school at Montverde Academy and in the Nike EYBL circuit, McNeeley has been seen wearing Nike basketball shoes. There's also a past TikTok video from March 2022 where he states his favorite shoes to play in are Nike KD 13s, specifically mentioning their ankle support.

He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic in 2024, which often features top high school prospects who have ties to the Nike/Jordan Brand family. While it's not a direct confirmation of a signature shoe deal, it indicates his association with the brand. Once he officially begins his professional career with the Charlotte Hornets, it is anticipated that he will continue to wear Nike or Jordan Brand shoes, potentially leading to a more formal endorsement agreement as he establishes himself in the league.

Liam McNeeley Jersey

Liam McNeeley, recently drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will be wearing jersey number 33 for his new team. Prior to his NBA career, McNeeley wore number 30 during his collegiate season with the UConn Huskies. In high school, he also wore number 30 for Montverde Academy. The consistency in his number choices throughout his career suggests a personal connection or preference for it. Now, as he begins his professional journey with the Hornets, fans will see him sporting the Charlotte teal, purple, and white colors with the number 33 prominently displayed on his back.

Liam McNeeley Awards and Achievements

Liam McLeeney was a standout performer for his high school teams and even at the UConn program. Earning a starting role in his first season with the UConn team highlights his impact on the team. Although the team failed to win the NCAA Championship, Liam McNeeley was rewarded with multiple individual accolades. Check out Liam McNeeley's awards and achievements during his high school and college career below,