Latest news with #LiamMcNeeley
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hornets' Summer League championship win breaks embarrassing franchise curse
The post Hornets' Summer League championship win breaks embarrassing franchise curse appeared first on ClutchPoints. On Sunday evening, the Charlotte Hornets won the NBA Summer League championship with a narrow victory over the Sacramento Kings. Kon Knueppel was named the Summer League championship game MVP for his performance in the contest, which included a three-pointer down the stretch which essentially put the game on ice for the Hornets. Championships of any kind have been hard to come by for the Hornets' organization over the years–in fact, Sunday's Summer League championship victory was the first championship of any sort for the Hornets in their entire history. That includes NBA titles, conference titles, divisional titles, and Summer League titles, per FanDuel on X, formerly Twitter. Overall, fans of the Hornets have to be happy with what they saw from their team during their time in Las Vegas. The Hornets' two first round draft picks, Liam McNeeley and Kon Knueppel, both largely performed well in their time during Charlotte's Summer League run. The Hornets are desperately hoping that 2025-26 is the year they will be able to turn their franchise's fortunes around and finally end their postseason curse–Charlotte hasn't appeared in a real NBA playoff game since the 2016 season unless you count a couple of play-in game appearances, both of which ended in the nine vs ten game. In theory, Knueppel and McNeeley will be able to provide point guard LaMelo Ball with some much-needed floor spacing this season, which has been a major issue for the Hornets in recent years. Furthermore, Ball will need to show that he can stay on the court consistently this year, as injury concerns have become a large concern for the talented point guard over the last few seasons. Still, Hornets fans for the first time in a while have something to be excited about, and clearly, they will take any championship they can get, even if it's just in Summer League. Related: Kyle Filipowski, Kings headline 2025 NBA Summer League's biggest winners Related: Check out Hornets' bonkers Summer League championship rings
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Richardson celebrates hometown NBA rookie Liam McNeeley's debut and rising stardom
Just weeks after making his NBA debut, the City of Richardson is recognizing rookie Liam McNeeley. He's just getting his start in the NBA but is already making headlines. "I'm just staying focused," he said. "I know I've got to do it every game and every game just play my best." He was drafted in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets and made his Summer League debut with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a win over the Utah Jazz. A "Mr. Ref" moment went viral on social media. "You know I have always called the refs 'Mr. Ref,'" he said. "I feel like it brings a level of professionalism to it. It's a job. I'm working, he's working." The City of Richardson is now celebrating his NBA success with an official proclamation as his entire family cheers him on. "It's such an incredible honor for the City of Richardson to recognize Liam in this way," his mom, Ashley Elsey, said. "I mean he's lived here his entire life. The City of Richardson is our community here." "You got to remember where you're from and where you started," Liam said. Liam got his start at the Richardson Family YMCA at just 3 years old and said coming home now feels full circle. "It's where I first picked up a basketball and basketball is now taking me across the world," he said. "He's worked really hard, he cares so much about winning and I think that just becomes infectious," Elsey said.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Hornets' Liam McNeeley to sign shoe endorsement contract with Nike
Charlotte Hornets rookie Liam McNeeley has reportedly agreed to sign a multiyear shoe and apparel endorsement contract with Nike, according to Nick DePaula on X. McNeeley was the Big East Freshman of the Year, averaging 14.5 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists on 38.1% shooting from the field at UConn. He is the seventh player in program history to win the award, joining the likes of Stephon Castle, Rudy Gay and Khalid El-Amin. The 29th pick joins a talented roster of players signed to Nike, headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Devin Booker. Others, like Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher and Chet Holmgren, also represent the Swoosh. McNeeley is the latest first-year player to sign with an apparel company. Cooper Flagg (New Balance), Dylan Harper (Nike), VJ Edgecombe (Adidas), Kon Knueppel (Jordan Brand), Ace Bailey (Nike) and Jeremiah Fears (Adidas) have all previously signed with brands. The 19-year-old debuted with the Hornets in the NBA Summer League, averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds and four assists on 42.9% shooting from 3-point range in two appearances. He produced a double-double on July 11 with 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. McNeeley is part of a stacked draft class for the Hornets, along with Knueppel (No. 4 pick), Sion James (33rd pick) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th pick). The group won the summer league championship and will look to carry that momentum into next year.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Hornets' Liam McNeeley reacts to double-double debut in summer league
Liam McNeeley shined under the Las Vegas sun!☀️ 22 PTS☀️ 12 REB☀️ 6 AST☀️ 3 3PM Liam McNeeley registered a double-double on Friday to tip off the NBA Summer League, helping the Charlotte Hornets defeat the Utah Jazz in Las Vegas, Nevada. McNeeley produced a team-high 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the 111-105 victory at the Thomas & Mack Center. He went 7-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, in 28 minutes of work off the bench. The 29th pick showcased each element of his game in the contest, from his floor spacing to his ability to make plays for others. He crashed the glass hard and immediately looked to push the pace off each missed shot by the Jazz throughout his time on the court. "I know I can only control two things, and that is my attitude and my effort," McNeeley told Dave McMenamin of ESPN after the game. "But if I have a great attitude and I give all my effort, that is all I can do." McNeeley is part of a crowded draft class for the Hornets, joining Kon Knueppel (five points, four assists), Sion James (eight points, three rebounds) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (10 points, five rebounds). The group contributed well in its first action together in a competitive setting. The Hornets will play at least four more games after beginning their stint on Friday. The exhibition serves as an excellent opportunity for their incoming rookies to begin building chemistry with current roster players like Tidjane Salaün, KJ Simpson and Damion Baugh. The organization was impressed with each player during the predraft process and believes they can play pivotal roles for coach Charles Lee, beginning next season. McNeeley is aiming to help the group improve upon its 19-63 record from a season ago. "Winning every game that I can, that's the goal every game to get a win," McNeeley said. "Play together with the guys and then hopefully make the playoffs, that's my goal."
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
LaMelo Ball watches courtside as Liam McNeeley scores 22 to lead Charlotte Hornets past Utah Jazz
(Image Source - Getty Images) LaMelo Ball was right there in Las Vegas and got to see the game between Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz. First-round selection Liam McNeeley came off the bench and scored 22 points, collected 12 boards, and provided six assists, energizing a balanced attack from the Charlotte Hornets. With his lively presence and support from the sidelines, the Hornets secured a thrilling 111–105 win in their Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz. And you can bet: this is just the start of a captivating rookie season. Liam McNeeley delivers dominant bench performance for Charlotte Hornets Liam McNeeley, the Hornets' 29th overall pick and a UConn star, was absolutely electric. In just 28 minutes, he racked up 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting, pulled down 12 rebounds (five of which were offensive), and handed out six assists—all from the bench. He wasn't the only one shining: second-year guard KJ Simpson added 21 points, and Tidjane Salaün hit a vital corner three in the closing minutes, finishing with 20. All nine players from Charlotte who played scored at least five points, leading to a strong 50.6% shooting effort. Utah put a lot of pressure on Kyle Filipowski, particularly since they were without rookie Ace Bailey. He delivered with a game-high 32 points, six rebounds, and five assists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Cody Williams and Walter Clayton Jr. also contributed 21 points each. Charlotte had a solid 13-point lead in the first half but faced a tough 36–27 third quarter from the Jazz, yet they still went into the fourth with an 87–84 advantage. When the score was tied at 103 with under three minutes to go, Ryan Kalkbrenner's alley-oop led to Salaün's game-winning shot—one of several key plays that changed the game's momentum. The young Hornets were on fire on the boards, out-rebounding their opponents 40 to 34, with 14 of those being offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. They kicked off the game with a quick tempo, thanks to Simpson, and only committed two turnovers in the first quarter and 15 in total—a great effort for Summer League play. Also Read: Cooper Flagg's unpolished shooting mechanics spark concern after debut struggles in Dallas Mavericks LaMelo Ball showed up and with him came everything that Charlotte fans wished for in their future — depth, energy, and tons of potential. Thanks to some standout bench scoring, disciplined play, and key moments from McNeeley, Simpson, Salaün, and Kalkbrenner, the Hornets made a striking first impression. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
