McNeeley has an opportunity to change the culture in Charlotte and a chance at significant minutes in year one.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel in an unsurprising but well-received move early Wednesday night. He was the fourth overall pick, a perhaps uninspiring pick, but one that has received praise for Knueppel's high floor and excellent fit in Charlotte.

Liam McNeeley sat and watched as, one by one, his friends were picked in the NBA draft. Cooper Flagg, his illustrious teammate at Montverde Academy, went first. Then Tre Johnson, McNeeley’s friend since third grade,