By ADAM ZAGORIA
Following the Nike EYBL Session 1 in Atlanta over the weekend, five-star Montverde (FL)_ Academy forward Liam McNeeley visited his home state school of Texas.
“They just wanted me to know how much they want me to be a Longhorn and what they were going to do to help me achieve my goals,” he told ZAGSBLOG.
McNeeley, a native of Richardson, Texas, averaged averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game for the Eagles last season. He met with Texas coach Rodney Terry, who on Tuesday was named the Clarence “Big House” Gaines College Basketball Coach of the Year. The Gaines Awards which began following the 2010-11 season are presented to the head coach in NCAA Division I and II who may not earn recognition from mainstream outlets.
McNeeley had established a bond with previous coach Chris Beard and his relationship with the school was in flux after Beard was fired. But he is now re-establishing a relationship with Terry.
“Oh, of course,” he said.
The No. 3-ranked power forward in the Class of 2024 per 247Sports.com, he previously broke down some of his other top options. Alabama: “Coach [Nate] Oats talked to me [Thursday] night and he said they run an NBA style and that’s true. Brandon Miller, he’s going to be a very high lottery pick and that’s what I’m trying to be.” Oklahoma: “Coach [Porter] Moser just beat Alabama by a lot, and he’s obviously a great coach. He was at Loyola, took that team deep in the [NCAA] Tournament, so I like what he does.” Arkansas: “I love their energy, they’re always a Top 25 team and coach [Eric] Musselman, his energy is crazy.” Indiana: “I talk to Indiana almost every day. I’ve gotten really close with their coaches. They’re in a little slump right now but I think they’ll pick it back up.” Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookClass of 24 @liammcneeley30 on his @TexasMBB visit https://t.co/7o6d97fkAs pic.twitter.com/VAouueMFjw
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 25, 2023
