Liam McNeeley spent a significant amount of his childhood at the YMCA of Richardson, but he also enjoyed attending Dallas Mavericks games.
The Charlotte Hornets rookie, fresh off celebrating his 20th birthday, made his first visit to American Airlines Center as a professional basketball player. The 29th pick in the NBA draft had the opportunity to blend those two childhood experiences at Saturday’s preseason game against the Mavericks.
McNeeley hosted a meet-and-greet with 100 children from the YMCA of Richardson, as part of the Mavs Community ticket program. He also had the chance to catch up with Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who he spent two years with as high school teammates at Montverde Academy.
Cooper Flagg and Liam McNeeley, who were teammates at Montverde, are catching up before they play against each other for the first time as pros. pic.twitter.com/nqKi3wPdwJ
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) October 11, 2025
Mavericks
“It’s a crazy coincidence that my first NBA birthday, I get to spend it where I grew up in Dallas,” McNeeley told The Dallas Morning News. “Great to be with family and friends on my birthday. It’s a blessing.”
McNeeley celebrated his 12th birthday in 2017 by attending a Dallas Mavericks preseason game and received the opportunity to sit inside Dirk Nowitzki’s locker, according to his mother, Ashley Elsey.
Elsey told The News that McNeeley’s homecoming was a full-circle moment.
“This is the achievement of a huge life dream, which really was in some ways was sparked by getting to come to NBA games here in Dallas and being here,” Elsey said.
“For him to be able to be home on his birthday, I was so grateful. I couldn’t believe the schedule worked out like it did.”
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
Myles Turner says Finals experience with Indiana adds to motivation in MilwaukeeAfter injury ravaged season, Mavericks’ new medical staff looks to turn team’s fortunes
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.