After a month recovering from an ankle injury, UConn’s standout freshman, Liam McNeeley, made a triumphant return on the court. In his second game back, he achieved an impressive career-high of 38 points against Creighton, leading his team to a 70-66 victory. UConn coach Dan Hurley praised McNeeley, saying, “He’s going to be a top 10 NBA Draft pick. No freshman has had a more impressive performance in this type of environment against a team like that.”

McNeeley has been crucial for the reigning national champions, averaging 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his 17 games this season.

Tweet from B/R Hoops: “Liam McNeeley GOES OFF on the road against Creighton 🔥 38 PTS | 12-22 FG | 5-10 3PT | 10 REB” - February 12, 2025

Freshman of the Week: Liam McNeeley, UConn

In a list of top freshman players, Cooper Flagg from Duke remains the frontrunner for the ACC Player of the Year, while Dylan Harper of Rutgers and Ace Bailey also make appearances. In ongoing discussions and rankings, Tre Johnson of Texas is also recognized for his scoring prowess.

For further reading, check out the previous weeks’ top five freshmen and how they compare to McNeeley’s recent success.