NBA Draft Scouting Report: NC State's Paul McNeil

Scouting Report: Paul McNeil

North Carolina State Wolfpack cheerleaders face the crowd after the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, April 6, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Purdue Boilermakers won 63-50. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. Player Info
2. Prospect Profile
3. Highlights
4. Draft Projection
5. 2025 Big Board

Player Info

Paul McNeil

Guard | NC State

Height: 6'5” | Weight: 180 lbs 

2025 Draft Age: 19.18

Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of the basketball going through the hoop during the second half at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Prospect Profile

An NC State freshman who isn’t getting enough attention, McNeil has the talent to make things happen at the next level. He’s a natural scorer with good size on the wing and checks many of the boxes that NBA teams are looking for. 

McNeil is incredibly smooth on the offensive end. He moves with fluidity and craftiness, rather than explosiveness and power. He’s extremely creative at getting to his spots and has a natural feel for how to generate points. The freshman wing is extremely confident in his midrange game and is lethal in that area. McNeil will need to improve his range and 3-point shooting consistency to become an even better scorer and more intriguing prospect, but there’s reason to believe he can get to that point.  

McNeil’s length allows him to be a good positional rebounder and versatile defender. It will be interesting to see how that end of the floor translates at the college level, especially as it relates to the ability to stay in front of quicker guards and stronger forwards. If he’s able to reach his defensive upside, expect someone who can guard at least three positions well. 

A former four-star recruit and Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year, McNeil is now playing college ball in his home state. He could end up being a multi-year college player, but his archetype and skillset meet what NBA teams are after in young prospects.

Highlights

Draft Projection

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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2025 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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