Charlotte Hornets rookie Liam McNeeley has reportedly agreed to sign a multiyear shoe and apparel endorsement contract with Nike, according to Nick DePaula on X.
McNeeley was the Big East Freshman of the Year, averaging 14.5 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists on 38.1% shooting from the field at UConn. He is the seventh player in program history to win the award, joining the likes of Stephon Castle, Rudy Gay and Khalid El-Amin.
The 29th pick joins a talented roster of players signed to Nike, headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Devin Booker. Others, like Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher and Chet Holmgren, also represent the Swoosh.
McNeeley is the latest first-year player to sign with an apparel company. Cooper Flagg (New Balance), Dylan Harper (Nike), VJ Edgecombe (Adidas), Kon Knueppel (Jordan Brand), Ace Bailey (Nike) and Jeremiah Fears (Adidas) have all previously signed with brands.
The 19-year-old debuted with the Hornets in the NBA Summer League, averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds and four assists on 42.9% shooting from 3-point range in two appearances. He produced a double-double on July 11 with 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
McNeeley is part of a stacked draft class for the Hornets, along with Knueppel (No. 4 pick), Sion James (33rd pick) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th pick). The group won the summer league championship and will look to carry that momentum into next year.