By ADAM ZAGORIA
UNION, N.J. — It was supposed to be a classic battle between two teams ranked No. 1 nationally in different polls, but Liam McNeeley and his Montverde (FL) Academy teammates had other ideas.
Behind junior forward Derik Queen’s dominant play in the paint and game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, McNeeley’s inside/out game and some stellar outside shooting from Curtis Givens (13 points), Montverde, ranked No. 1 by ESPN, routed Link Prep (MO), No. 1 on MaxPreps, 84-58, in the Metro Classic at Kean University.
“We had something to prove,” the 6-foot-7 McNeeley said after scoring 15 points while making 3-of-6 from deep in the win. “They were No. 1 on MaxPreps, and we knew that wasn’t the case. We knew we were the No. 1 team in the country when we play together, so we just wanted to come out and show people what we can do. “
Liam McNeeley showed out today💯 The #10 junior put up 29 points and 5 rebounds in Montverde's 62-45 win over La Lumiere 🔥@liammcneeley30 @MVABasketball pic.twitter.com/ECxivLSiNY
— NIBC (@NIBCOfficial) February 2, 2023
After the game, McNeeley, a native of Richardson, Texas, updated his recruitment. Texas had long heavily involved but with the recent firing of Chris Beard, his relationship with the school is in flux while others have entered the picture, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Indiana.
The No. 3-ranked power forward in the Class of 2024 per 247Sports.com, he broke down some of his top options.
Texas: “I was pretty close with Texas before. I still talk to coach [Chris Ogden] but we gotta rebuild that relationship.”
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.”
McNeeley is focused on the regular season — including Saturday’s matchup with Roselle Catholic, the No. 1 team in New Jersey — and then GEICO Nationals.
“I’ll take official visits after the season during the summer,” he said.
Photo: @dfritzphotos
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