The Charlotte Hornets enter the second round of the 2025 NBA draft with the radar buzzing. Not after the typical “best available” gambles, but following a whirlwind first round that included trading Mark Williams for a second time.

The Charlotte Hornets have selected Liam McNeeley with the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. McNeeley racked up accolades in his one season at Connecticut, earning Big East Freshman of the Year, third-team All-Big East honors and a spot on the conference's All-Freshman Team.

Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson is ‘very excited' about the addition of Duke's Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley but one scout was befuddled by Charlotte's draft approach.