Liam McNeeley was thrilled for his friends and high school teammates, Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen and Asa Newell, who were getting drafted.
But he kept on waiting for his turn. It was past 11 p.m., and the Connecticut star still hadn’t heard his name called.
Then it finally happened.
With the 29th selection in the first round of Wednesday’s NBA draft, the 6-foot-7 wing was off the board.
He was taken by the Suns, but the pick was reportedly dealt to the Hornets.
“Ever since I was five, I’ve been dreaming of the moment I just experienced,” McNeeley expressed shortly after stepping onto the Barclays Center stage to shake hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “This has been my ultimate goal, and now the real work begins. The tears came from all the memories and the people who’ve supported me along the way.”
“It requires immense sacrifice, dedication, and passion. I’ve missed countless hangouts with friends and precious time with family. Yet, it was all worthwhile because I love basketball.”
McNeeley enjoyed a standout lone season in college with UConn.
He averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists, helping the Huskies win an NCAA Tournament game for the third straight season.
He became the fifth Connecticut first-round pick in the past five years.
There were questions about his ability to defend at the next level, along with his 3-point percentage of 31.7.
Ultimately, those issues contributed to the Texan falling to the bottom of the first round.
But McNeeley insisted he wasn’t upset afterward. He was more relieved.
“You know, there’s no reason to have disappointment,” McNeeley said. “I just got drafted to play in the NBA.”
McNeeley was one of two Big East players drafted in the first round.
Thomas Sorber of Georgetown was the other.
He was taken 15th by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
When asked which players he was eager to compete against in the league, McNeeley quickly mentioned his former teammates from Montverde Academy (Fla.), Flagg, Queen, and Newell.
“Getting to play against them is going to be amazing,” he said.
