UConn’s Liam McNeeley declares for NBA draft after freshman season.

Freshman wing Liam McNeeley is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 UConn standout is a projected lottery pick and ranked No. 14 in ESPN’s draft projections. He was named Big East Freshman of the Year and earned All-Big East Third Team honors after averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game this season.

“It’s been a dream of mine to play in the NBA,” McNeeley said. “I’m thankful for my time at UConn, playing with great coaches and teammates. Although we didn’t win a national championship, I learned so much.”

McNeeley had several standout performances, including a 38-point, 10-rebound game at Creighton and a 26-point effort against Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. He finished strong with 22 points in UConn’s NCAA tournament loss to No. 1 seed Florida. A midseason ankle injury sidelined him for eight games but didn’t derail his draft stock.

He credited UConn coach Dan Hurley for pushing him out of his comfort zone and helping him grow. “NBA teams saw that I compete hard. I bring toughness, can space the floor, make plays, and do the dirty work,” he said.

While he shot just 32% from deep this season, McNeeley was a 46% 3-point shooter at Montverde Academy, where he played alongside top prospects Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen.

Now focused on preparing for the NBA Draft and Combine, McNeeley said, “The next few months will be all work—head down, in the gym, getting better.”