Liam McNeeley, one of the Charlotte Hornets’ first‑round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, just delivered the kind of postseason run that should make the organization feel great about its rookie class. After helping lead the Greensboro Swarm to a G League championship, the Hornets have every reason to feel confident that their late first‑round gamble is already paying off.
The Swarm closed out the Stockton Kings 119-104 on Friday night, with McNeeley posting 21 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 31 minutes. He attacked the rim with poise, knocked down two clutch threes in the fourth quarter, and looked completely in control throughout the championship game.
Yes, the G League is a step below NBA competition, but the flashes he showed are exactly why Jeff Peterson believed in him on draft night. His development timeline appears to be right on schedule, especially when compared to Charlotte’s other first‑round selection in another year.
A promising long‑term piece for Charlotte
McNeeley was drafted to be a versatile, sizeable wing who could shoot, rebound, make smart decisions, and offer defensive upside. In the G League playoffs, he checked every one of those boxes. He looks far more comfortable than he did in his early NBA minutes, suggesting he simply needs time and reps to adjust to the pace and physicality of the league.
His talent was never in doubt, as he drew lottery buzz from some evaluators before the draft. Not only that, he remains one of the youngest players on the roster. His development was always going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Getting real minutes and real responsibility in Greensboro is far more valuable than sitting on the end of the Hornets’ bench hoping for spot opportunities.
Both McNeeley and Tidjane Salaun have now been recalled for the Hornets’ regular‑season finale against the New York Knicks. Even though McNeeley didn’t crack the rotation early like some of his fellow rookies in a franchise draft class, his trajectory is clearly trending upward, and he’s positioning himself as a player to watch heading into next season.
Some argued he should have stayed another year at UConn, but in reality, he’s performing right in line with expectations for a late first‑round pick, and arguably exceeding them with his late surge in the G League. On a $14 million dollar rookie contract, the Hornets should feel very good about the investment they’ve made so far.