NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Is Kansas or Indiana the best spot for 5-star Liam McNeeley?
5-star NCAA Basketball prospect Liam McNeeley is reportedly down to just Kansas and Indiana. Does one stand out in terms of being the best potential fit?
One of the key class of 2024 NCAA Basketball prospects that’s been in the headlines this Summer has been Liam McNeeley, a 6’7 small forward and top-20 overall recruit. A few months ago, the five-star prospect announced a list of six teams in the mix, including Michigan, Texas, and Alabama.
However, none of those teams made the final cut for McNeeley. Just two are left, Kansas and Indiana. Both programs have been after him and are two of the most well-known teams in NCAA Basketball.
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A decision is just hours away and both programs have selling points to make for the five-star prospect. Here’s a closer look at how he’d fit with each option.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is trying to get a major 2024 class, with McNeeley a top target. They’re also after five-star target Boogie Fland, hoping to pair the two. The Hoosiers only have one small forward on the roster (Kaleb Banks) and also has five-star freshman, Mackenize Mgbako. Assuming he decides to go pro after next season, that would open things up for McNeeley to start out the gate.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks already have a trio of commits in the 2024 class. That includes five-star center Flory Bidunga and top-30 PG Labaron Philon, along with recent top-50 wing, Rakease Passmore. His presence shouldn’t have an impact on McNeeley but assuming Australian freshman Johnny Furphy is the real deal, there are some wings on board that this target would have to deal with in terms of extended minutes.
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Operating under the assumption that Mgbako is a “one and done”, both teams could allow McNeeley to start on the wing. Kansas has the more recent winning history but the chance to be a featured part of Indiana’s rise back up as a national power is just as appealing. We’ll see on Sunday where he ultimately ends up.