Why Liam McNeeley’s blue-chip commitment for Mike Woodson is different, what that means.

BLOOMINGTON – Mike Woodson received exceptional recruiting news on Sunday when Liam McNeeley committed to Indiana University (IU) over Kansas, marking the first commitment for IU’s 2024 recruiting class. McNeeley, a highly regarded five-star prospect, has the potential to surpass his top-20 ranking. His decision to join IU follows in the footsteps of other high-caliber players like Jalen Hood-Schifino and Mackenzie Mgbako. The IU coaching staff hopes that additional blue-chip recruits, including five-star guard Boogie Fland and five-star forward Derik Queen, will choose to join McNeeley.

This commitment is significant as it showcases Woodson’s ability to rebuild the IU basketball program and attract top-level players despite competition from other well-established programs. The objective is to establish IU as a program that can offer players a legitimate path to the NBA. Woodson’s hiring was met with skepticism two and a half years ago, but his success in recruiting challenges this criticism. McNeeley, in particular, has been a top priority for IU, demonstrating the dedication of the coaching staff.

Recruiting is a constantly evolving business that requires continuous effort. In addition to traditional recruitment, IU has also focused on building a robust NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) setup and proving its mettle in the transfer portal. However, one of Woodson’s key tests was to enter a player’s recruitment from the beginning, go through the entire process, and secure a commitment. This goes beyond simply joining late or capitalizing on fresh hires.

IU offered McNeeley a spot 14 months ago, indicating their early interest in his recruitment. Woodson has consistently emphasized his desire to return IU to the top table of college basketball recruiting, reminiscent of the program’s success under Bob Knight. Despite skepticism from others who believed starting at the top was not feasible, Woodson believed in going after the best players from the start.

Woodson’s strategy paid off with Hood-Schifino, who performed exceptionally well in his freshman year and became a first-round draft pick. This success propelled Woodson and IU to secure a commitment from Mgbako, a highly sought-after prospect who had initially signed with Duke. Despite strong competition from Louisville, St. John’s, and Kansas, IU managed to convince Mgbako that Bloomington was the best choice for his one-and-done ambitions. Now, IU hopes Mgbako will follow in Hood-Schifino’s footsteps.

While these achievements are significant, IU’s recruitment of McNeeley was more traditional. IU had to consistently prove itself throughout the vigorous recruitment process to ensure McNeeley chose IU over other schools. Establishing a strong relationship with McNeeley from the beginning was crucial. Indiana dedicated considerable effort to prevent any other school, whether local or prestigious, from persuading McNeeley to choose elsewhere.

In recruiting, there is always a need to continually prove oneself. Woodson’s clout in the basketball world increased significantly with the success of Hood-Schifino, but Mgbako’s progress this season will also be closely watched. The same is true for McNeeley, who brings a unique skillset with his athleticism, 3-point shooting ability, and overall basketball skills. IU’s hopes for future success will depend on the development of these players and the ability to attract more top-tier recruits. Woodson aims to secure commitments from at least two more five-star players, including Fland and Queen.

Woodson took on this job seeking the opportunity to work with talented players who have the potential to make it to the NBA. Having experience rebuilding from the ground up in Atlanta and coaching during the one-and-done era in the NBA, Woodson was excited to work with promising college basketball talents. McNeeley’s commitment ensures that Woodson will have another opportunity to develop a high-level recruit. The more players Woodson convinces to join IU, the smoother the path becomes for future recruits.

This commitment by McNeeley is a significant achievement for Mike Woodson. It proves that he can start from the ground floor of a high-level recruitment and come out on top. The reverberations of this commitment could have a lasting impact on IU basketball beyond this weekend.

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Laura Davis

Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.