After showcasing immense potential as a 3-and-D wing, Liam McNeeley has risen up the draft boards and is a consensus top-20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. McNeeley’s dead-eye free-throw shooting (86.6% on 4.7 attempts per game) has highlighted his game.
Basketball hasn’t just been a part of McNeeley’s life. His entire family, starting from his great-grandfather, have been hoopers, with his mother also having played Division I basketball. So, let’s get to know them in detail and explore their influence on him.
Meet Liam McNeeley’s Parents, Matthew and Ashley Elsey McNeeley
Liam was born to parents Matthew McNeeley and Ashley Elsey on October 10, 2005, and was raised in Richardson, Texas.
“Basketball has always been a part of my life and part of my family’s life, we’ve always been around it, and one of those things we 100% know,” he told Draft Digest.
While no information about Matthew is in the public domain, Liam’s mother, Ashley, played Division I basketball for the Rice Owls from 1994-96. While basketball wasn’t her first love growing up, it became a priority in high school, and she eventually made it to Rice on a scholarship.
“I didn’t start taking basketball seriously until eighth grade,” Ashley said. “I was on JV my freshman year at Marcus High School in Sugar Land, Texas, and then varsity as a sophomore. We ended up being 31-3 my senior year and the first team from our school to make the playoffs. I was not heavily recruited but did have some opportunities and ultimately chose to play on scholarship at Rice because of their academics.”
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Ashley later started her own business, a communications consulting firm named Minerva Consulting, which she’s been running for over two decades. But she’s been equally invested in Liam’s career and has described him as someone who can find a million different ways to score.
“He wants to make winning plays and be a great teammate,” Ashley said. “He has a million different ways to score, and when you absolutely need a rebound and the game is on the line, he will come down with it.”
Ashley called Liam the unquestioned best basketball player in the family, which has been playing the sport since the late 1940s. “No question, hands down,” said Ashley. “He’s the best one,” said his grandfather, Chuck Elsey.
Liam’s great-grandfather, Gordon Elsey, played two seasons at the University of Tulsa before getting drafted into the military. The tradition was continued by his son, and Liam’s grandfather, Chuck, who played for a season at TCU. His basketball career was cut short by an ACL injury, but he still made the most of his opportunities and averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game as a freshman.
While Liam’s father apparently didn’t play Division I basketball, Liam’s mother did, and the combo forward continued the tradition last year with the Huskies. He averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, and is now set to become the first from the family to make a jump into professional basketball.
Liam also has an older sister named Ava, who recently graduated from Texas University. However, she doesn’t play basketball.
Matt McNeeley. Liam’s dad, is a very good athlete who played football. His strength is what he adds to the gene pool. You need that to reach the next level . God bless the Elseys but it would be nice if Matt got a little recognition.
Matt McNeeley. Liam’s dad, is a very good athlete who played football. His strength is what he adds to the gene pool. You need that to reach the next level
.