Liam McNeeley’s mother, Ashley Elsey, recently shared a clip of her son reuniting with his former high school teammate Cooper Flagg on her Instagram story. The footage shows McNeeley and Flagg sharing a light-hearted moment during a photoshoot.
Both players, who rose to prominence at Montverde Academy, are on the verge of entering the professional world, with Flagg projected as the No. 1 overall pick and McNeeley a likely first-round selection.
Here’s the video of their reunion:
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Here’s the screenshot of Ashley Elsey’s Instagram story:
Flagg and McNeeley first met at Montverde Academy, a Florida prep powerhouse, and spent two seasons together. Together, they led Montverde to a perfect 34-0 record and a national championship in 2024 with a game that ended in a 79-63 defeat for Paul VI. This couldn’t have happened without the chemistry between the two youngsters.
Flagg, a 6’9” forward with great versatility, received the National Player of the Year honors, while McNeeley stood out with great shooting and rare playmaking. Their time under coach Kevin Boyle improved their games and forged what would be a lasting friendship beyond Montverde.
Liam recently shared his thoughts on going through the draft journey with Flagg, saying (via Mike Curtis’ X handle):
“That’s my brother. We played two years together. We stayed connected. Been to a bunch of camps and All-Star games together…It’s an amazing experience and feeling to see them go through this process as well as me.”
After high school, Flagg played at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four and winning the Wooden Award as a freshman. Meanwhile, McNeeley gained attention at UConn with an average of 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds, helping the Huskies reach the NCAA Tournament.
Their journeys highlight their growth since those high school days. At Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, per ESPN. McNeeley, meanwhile, shot 31.7% from three-point range at UConn, which shows how much value he holds as a floor-spacing wing.
“I miss playing with him” – Cooper Flagg on Liam McNeeley
Speaking to the media on his bond with McNeeley, Flagg recently said (via Sam Gannon’s X handle):
“Liam’s great. I miss playing with him a lot. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. I miss playing with him.”
For Flagg, expected to shoulder immense expectations as the top pick, and McNeeley, vying to solidify his draft stock, their connection will serve as a mental reset.
Their viral embrace says a lot about their bond, a strength that goes beyond statistics. Regardless of draft position, their connection will go a long way in their handling of rivalries or setbacks.
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