Jeremy McNeil
Encyclopedia
Jeremy McNeil is an American basketball player who played college basketball for Syracuse University during their first National Championship in 2003. He played 135 games spanning from 1999–2004, which included 21 starts. He had career averages of 3.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
All-American and ranked as a top-35 prospect.
McNeil earned the starting center job in his first full year at Syracuse, taking the spot from Billy Celluck. However, due to foul trouble, McNeil would be limited to around 15 minutes per game. In his sophomore year, McNeil lost his starting position to Craig Forth
. Still, he managed to set a career high in points (3.4).
McNeil would play a key role in Syracuse's first National Championship in the 2002-03 season. Although he still could not win the starting role back from Forth, McNeil proved to be a valued shot blocker off the bench, often being the last line of defense when Syracuse decided to use its full court press. In an upset of then-No. 2 Pittsburgh, McNeil, a career 49.1% free throw shooter, hit two key free throws, and added a game-winning tip.
In his final year, McNeil was the lone senior. McNeil set a career high for field goal percentage (75.5%). He finished his career at Syracuse fifth on the career shots blocked list with 260 and fifth in games played with 135.
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Following his Syracuse career, McNeil played with the Kentucky Colonels
in the American Basketball Association in the 2004-05 season, averaging 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 16 games.
McNeil was taken with the fifth in the second round (13th overall) of the 2005 NBA Development League Draft
by the Roanoke Dazzle
. He was subsequently waived by the Dazzle before signing with the Florida Flame
. In two games with the Florida Flame he averaged 4.0 points and 0.5 rebound. However, his season was cut short by a torn patella tendon.
McNeil then joined the Fort Worth Flyers
in the 2006-07 season. He would play in nine games with the Flyers, averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds before being waived on March 30, 2007.
High school
He averaged close to 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks a game as a senior center with Coach Wayne Dickey at Sam Houston High School. He was named an AdidasAdidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
All-American and ranked as a top-35 prospect.
College career
As a freshman, McNeil suffered a knee injury and was granted a medical redshirt for the season.McNeil earned the starting center job in his first full year at Syracuse, taking the spot from Billy Celluck. However, due to foul trouble, McNeil would be limited to around 15 minutes per game. In his sophomore year, McNeil lost his starting position to Craig Forth
Craig Forth
Craig Forth is a former college basketball player for the Syracuse Orange from East Greenbush, New York who was a member of Syracuse's 2003 NCAA National Championship team...
. Still, he managed to set a career high in points (3.4).
McNeil would play a key role in Syracuse's first National Championship in the 2002-03 season. Although he still could not win the starting role back from Forth, McNeil proved to be a valued shot blocker off the bench, often being the last line of defense when Syracuse decided to use its full court press. In an upset of then-No. 2 Pittsburgh, McNeil, a career 49.1% free throw shooter, hit two key free throws, and added a game-winning tip.
In his final year, McNeil was the lone senior. McNeil set a career high for field goal percentage (75.5%). He finished his career at Syracuse fifth on the career shots blocked list with 260 and fifth in games played with 135.
Professional career
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
in the American Basketball Association in the 2004-05 season, averaging 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 16 games.
McNeil was taken with the fifth in the second round (13th overall) of the 2005 NBA Development League Draft
2005 NBA Development League Draft
-Round 1:* 1. Florida Flame: Andre Barrett* 2. Fayetteville Patriots: Nigel Dixon* 3. Fort Worth Flyers: Ime Udoka* 4. Arkansas Rimrockers: Harvey Thomas* 5. Roanoke Dazzle: Will Bynum* 6. Albuquerque Thunderbirds: Chuck Hayes* 7. Tulsa 66ers: Bernard King...
by the Roanoke Dazzle
Roanoke Dazzle
The Roanoke Dazzle were an NBA Development League team based in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A.. In operation from the inaugural D-League season of 2001-02 through the 2005-06 season, the Dazzle marked the return of professional basketball to Roanoke since the Virginia Squires called Roanoke home in the...
. He was subsequently waived by the Dazzle before signing with the Florida Flame
Florida Flame
The Florida Flame were a NBA Development League team based in Fort Myers, Florida. Its logo represents a basketball on fire moving at high speed....
. In two games with the Florida Flame he averaged 4.0 points and 0.5 rebound. However, his season was cut short by a torn patella tendon.
McNeil then joined the Fort Worth Flyers
Fort Worth Flyers
The Fort Worth Flyers is the name of a now defunct team of the NBA Development League minor league basketball expansion team based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005-06 season. The decision was made by the NBADL to not operate this team for the 2007-08 season.- Franchise history...
in the 2006-07 season. He would play in nine games with the Flyers, averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds before being waived on March 30, 2007.