UConn frosh McNeeley (ankle) to miss ‘weeks’

Jeff Borzello, ESPN

• Staff WriterJan 4, 2025, 05:13 PM ET Close Basketball recruiting insider.
• Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.UConn star freshman Liam McNeeley

will miss”weeks”with a high-ankle sprain, coach Dan Hurley revealed Saturday.McNeeley suffered the injury in the 2nd half of the Huskies’81-68

win over DePaul on Wednesday. He took an uncomfortable fall after going after a loose ball, hitting DePaul guard Layden Blocker. He went to the locker room, going back to the bench in the final minutes of the 81-68 win with a boot on his ideal foot.After the game, Hurley stated McNeeley was going to get an MRI on the ankle.Editor’s Picks On Saturday, Hurley told reporters that he could “perhaps” return by the end of January.

“Weeks, not days,” Hurley said.McNeeley, a former first-class possibility and a forecasted lotto pick in June’s NBA draft, has been among the very best freshmen in the nation this season. He’s balancing 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, shooting nearly 38% from 3-point range.The 6-foot-7 wing had actually been playing the very best basketball of his season in recent weeks, highlighted by 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a win over Gonzaga.Without McNeeley, Hurley will need to lean on sophomores Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart for more minutes. Ross has actually emerged as a protective asset for the Huskies, while Stewart has seen his role vary however brings the size and shooting UConn will need.The Huskies host Providence on Sunday.