There are countless instances in grassroots basketball where a player can be undeniably productive in various settings for a prolonged period of time, yet receive little to no attention from college coaches. That appears to be exactly the case with Lamont McNeill of Piedmont Classical and NLPB/Carolina Rising Stars, who shined throughout the summer and seamlessly transitioned into a leadership role during the current season. This article will highlight some of the glowing remarks that were written throughout the previous months and then attempt to understand why it hasn’t resulted in offers…
We watched McNeill countless times over the summer, including at our Phenom LIVE, where we stated, “Uncertainty has continued to swirl throughout the last month about the possibilities surrounding an upcoming high school season, but it hasn’t seemed to affect Lamont McNeill at all. Arguably no player has kept their foot pressed on the gas quite as aggressively as the undersized, quick-as-lightning lead guard. He’s purely destructive in transition, especially with the ball in his hands, and understands how to turn transition play into easy fast break opportunities. Between his craftiness and underrated strength, McNeill actually finishes majority of his attempts around the basket. He’s also proven to be a quality three-point shooter and capable passer. However, as effective as McNeill is in all those aforementioned areas, he truly lives in the midrange. Every player has their go-to spots on the floor, and McNeill’s comes in the form of an incredibly lethal pull-up jumper from anywhere within 15-18 feet. His size, or lack thereof, actually benefits him in accessing these shots, as his balance combined with the ability to stop and rise up often leaves defenders in the dust. Additionally, McNeill draws a ridiculous number of fouls and has shown the scoring consistency to burden an efficient offensive attack. He should definitely have a variety of options at the next level.”
Fast-forward a few months, and it’s still difficult to try and understand the lack of attention from college coaches. Sure, McNeill is somewhat undersized, but that shouldn’t take away from the obvious production and leadership he provides on a given night. He’s lightning-quick, which causes problems for opponents on both ends of the floor, given his ability to get downhill and force turnovers at the point of attack. McNeill possesses a tight handle and is capable of setting up others when attacking. It should be somewhat apparent at this point, but McNeill will carve out a quality role at the next level.