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Big Shots Spotlight: Paul McNeil, Jr 6’6 2024 SG Richmond Senior, NC

By Frank Bennett, 12/11/23, 8:30PM EST

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Paul is a 5 star wing who has committed to play his college basketball at NC State University.  A “do-it-all” type talent he impacts in every phase of the game.  A walking double/double with triple double potential on any given night.  Paul has a tight, crafty handle featuring quick, knee buckling crossovers.  He creates a lot of separation from his defender with  his length and ball handling wizardry.  Paul plays off hesitations and dribble pause action effectively followed by the ability to quickly bury the jumper at the blink of an eye or use a blow by burst and rangy strides to explode to the rim leaving defenders in his wake.  His dribble pullup is downright lethal!  He hits the step back and side step jumpers at a high percentage and is also a serious threat from behind the arc.  Highly efficient from all levels and out of a variety of actions, he shot over 53% over the last two seasons while averaging over 25ppg a year ago and currently averaging 33.5 points per contest.  He’s also averaging 14 rebounds per game for Richmond Senior!  Paul has textbook shot mechanics complete with a high release, nice lift, silky smooth mechanics.  He’s quick off the bounce with the ability to shift into another gear as he makes a move to the rim.  Explosive leaper and dynamic finisher both with the dunk and on non dunk finishes showing creativity and touch, excellent body control, stays on balance.  Paul is a very good passer and does a nice job finding the open man when frequently met with multiple defenders.  A heady and skillful playmaker productive as both a shooter and as a primary ball handler with his ability to create for others, his timely and pinpoint passing accuracy.  He provides valuable defensive versatility with his rebounding prowess, his anticipation in passing lanes and his lockdown on ball defensive play.  He’s a ball hawkish defender and plays with great energy, regarded among the nations top two way talents.  Paul is the reining North Carolina High School Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year!  In 2021-2022 he earned NC Gatorade Player of the Year honors  becoming only the second sophomore to ever win the coveted award.  Paul enjoyed a huge 78 point, 32 rebound effort in two games during Big Shots Basketball’s coverage of the 2023 Good Guys vs Cancer Showcase!  Paul scored a career high 50 points and added 17 rebounds in their opener and followed that up with 28 points and 15 rebounds against nationally ranked John Marshall HS (VA)!  All the while adding an average of 5 assists and 3 steals in an absolutely eye popping exhibition for the five star guard.  Paul committed to NC State back in February after narrowing from a lengthy list of offers from schools such as Tennessee, Indiana, Georgetown, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Miami.  North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, Ohio State, Florida State and Kansas also among those who were lobbying for his services.  A high academic student/athlete Paul is also the President of the  Richmond Senior African-American Studies Club.