Liam McNeeley earned a spot on the NBA Summer League Second Team after a dominant performance in Las Vegas this month [2].

This breakout stretch marks a significant shift in McNeeley's trajectory with the Charlotte Hornets. After spending much of his first professional year on the sidelines, the young player is now positioning himself for a larger role in the team's primary rotation.

McNeeley averaged 21.7 points per game throughout the 2026 Summer League [2]. His scoring was fueled by efficient long-range shooting, as he hit 52.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc [2]. These figures stand in stark contrast to his initial rookie season in 2025-26, where he averaged only 4.3 points per game [1].

The surge began early in the tournament. In the Summer League opener, the Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic with a final score of 86-74 [3]. McNeeley's ability to stretch the floor provided the Hornets with a consistent offensive threat throughout the series of games in Nevada.

Because sources differ on his specific role, McNeeley is listed as both a guard and a forward [1, 2]. Regardless of the designation, his versatility in the scoring column has drawn attention from league observers. The Second Team honor recognizes him as one of the top performers among the rookie and sophomore cohorts participating in the Las Vegas events [2].

His performance this July suggests a rapid adaptation to the speed and physicality of the professional game. By combining high-volume scoring with elite three-point accuracy, he has transitioned from a depth piece to a focal point of the Hornets' developmental strategy [1, 2].

“Liam McNeeley averaged 21.7 points per game throughout the 2026 Summer League.”

McNeeley's jump from 4.3 points per game in his rookie season to over 21 points in the Summer League indicates a significant leap in confidence and offensive integration. For the Charlotte Hornets, this performance provides a blueprint for utilizing his shooting gravity to open up the floor, potentially shifting him from a reserve role to a regular contributor in the 2026-27 season.