UConn Daily Digest: The Hurley Era Return to NBA (Draft) Prominence

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Headlines

McNeeley goes to Charlotte 

Liam McNeeley had to wait longer than expected, but the Hornets acquired him with the No. 29 pick. McNeeley slipped past his initial mock draft rankings but the former five-star recruit joins a young team that will present an opportunity to earn some playing time.

The Hornets had a busy draft, pairing No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel with McNeeley in the first round before grabbing Knueppel’s Duke teammate Sion James and UConn enemy Ryan Kalkbrenner with consecutive picks early in the second round. Knueppel and McNeeley both fill a void that Charlotte desperately needed at the shooting guard position.

McNeeley has much to prove after slipping in the draft. He and Knueppel represent a similar player mold, with the earlier pick believed to have more upside. McNeeley can shoot lights out, though he didn’t showcase that as best he could in his lone year at UConn, where he overcame a mid-season leg injury.

Read: Breaking down Liam McNeeley’s fit with the Charlotte Hornets

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was 5 years old,” McNeeley said on draft night. “This is all I’ve ever wanted, (but) this is where the work really begins.”

We’ll get our first glimpse of him in a Charlotte uniform when the Hornets’ 2025 NBA Summer League action gets underway on July 11.  

Oh, and he’s wearing No. 33... shades of Larry Bird, anyone?

Since Dan Hurley took over at UConn, the Huskies have returned to their proud tradition of producing NBA draft picks. When Hurley started in Storrs in 2018, the Huskies hadn’t had a first-round pick since Shabazz Napier in 2014, and their last draftee was Daniel Hamilton in the second round in 2016.

James Bouknight broke through as the first first-rounder since Shabazz in 2021, going 11th overall. He was the first of eight Hurley players to be drafted since then.

The success is expected to continue in next year’s draft, where Alex Karaban and perhaps one or two others will be draft prospects at this time in 2026.

Samson Johnson signs with Indiana

Samson Johnson’s draft chances were slim heading into Wednesday night. Though he was not picked, Johnson made his way onto an NBA roster through an Exhibit 10 contract, which he signed with the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers on June 27.

An Exhibit 10 is a one-year, non-guaranteed, minimum-salary contract that includes a bonus for Johnson if he is cut, re-signed, and joins a new team with its G League affiliate. It’s meant to incentivize players to stay stateside instead of joining a league overseas. Still, Johnson has a long way to go if he hopes to realize his professional dreams in the NBA.

He’ll start that journey in Summer League, like McNeeley. The Pacers already have two solidified centers in veterans Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant, though both are impending free agents looking to secure high-value contracts following the team’s run to the NBA Finals.

MBB recruits shine on global stage

Jacob Furphy is balling out in the FIBA U-19 World Championships. His debut for Team Australia was a sight to behold, as he poured in 24 points in 33 minutes despite the loss to Team USA. 

He hasn’t even stepped foot on campus yet this summer.

Just wait until he gets into the gym and starts to build chemistry with this year’s group. UConn’s 2025 rotation could rival, or even outmatch, some of the nation’s best if the depth and incoming recruiting class pans out in ideal fashion.

Versatile center Erice Reibe is also thriving for Germany in the same tournament.

Shabazz and Niels win another title

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault isn’t the only former Husky hoisting a championship trophy this summer. Shabazz Napier and Niels Giffey won the 2025 Basketball Bundesliga Championship with FC Bayern this past week, 11 years after the two won the 2014 National Championship as teammates in Storrs. 

In the 81-77 win over Ratiopharm Urm, Napier posted 15 points, two rebounds and one dime. Giffey grabbed three boards and added seven points himself. 

Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Dayton transfer Malachi Smith suffered a knee injury in team workouts. He will be sidelined for the remainder of June and all of July while he recovers from an operation to correct the issue and is expected to return sometime in August. 

UConn men’s basketball to host Bryant in Nov. 23 non-conference game – Don’t sleep on this showdown — Bryant has been taunting UConn into a matchup for quite some time now. 

Liam McNeeley Picked 29th Overall and Traded to Charlotte Hornets – The Suns held the pick, but traded it to Charlotte for center Mark Williams. 

Samson Johnson signs Exhibit 10 contract with Indiana Pacers – Johnson averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a starter for the Huskies in his senior season.

Breaking down Liam McNeeley’s fit with the Charlotte Hornets – Can McNeeley help turn around a historically troublesome franchise?

Liam McNeeley after landing in Charlotte: “This is where the work really begins” – McNeeley felt no disappointment despite his draft slip. 

June Scholastic Live Period: UConn Recruiting Round-Up – Breaking down a few of the players the UConn coaching staff has had its eye on during the June Scholastic live recruiting period. 

Scouting Reibe, Furphy, and Future Opponents at the FIBA U-19 World Cup – Eric Reibe and Jacob Furphy represent their home countries in Germany and Australia. 

Women’s Basketball

UConn WBB Media Availability 6.26.25 – Caroline Ducharme, Ayanna Patterson, Ashlynn Shade, Kelis Fisher, and Gandy Malou Mamel all spoke on the current state of the team and more. 

Azzi Fudd, KK Arnold, Serah Williamd & Kayleigh Heckel: Offseason Media Availability – Watch the Huskies’ top rotation players give their thoughts as summer sessions continue. 

Newsletter: Why UConn didn’t necessarily need to use the transfer portal this season – Geno Auriemma and staff viewed the portal as more of a want than a need this offseason. 

Hockey

How a program reset led UConn to its best season ever – The Huskies captured more success in its most recent season than any other year in program history. How did they do it?

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