ROCKINGHAM — Paul McNeil Jr. will play in a pair of all-star basketball games later this spring.
The senior wing at Richmond Senior High School, who is signed to play at North Carolina State University, was recently named a nominee for the McDonald’s All American Games.
But he was snubbed by the Selection Committee despite breaking two NCHSAA records in a single game (most points — 71 — and most made field goals — 28) in the week leading up to the release of the rosters.
Even though the initial sting was tough, McNeil Jr. said he’s moving past that with his chin held high.
“I felt like I was a little overlooked for the McDonald’s All American Games,” McNeil Jr. said. “I know that I’m a great player and think I’m better than some of the guys who made the roster.
“It definitely hurt a little bit, but not being picked really motivated me to still want to put the work in,” he continued. “Since then I’ve been going hard in the gym and grinding more. I just have to keep living life and keep moving forward.”
Part of keeping the basketball bouncing in the right direction, the four-star recruit was recently named to the 51st Capital Classic All American Game and the 25th Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Game.
McNeil Jr. will compete for the North Carolina team at the Carolinas Classic, which was established in 1998. The event is sponsored by the North Carolina Coaches Association and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association.
This year’s edition will be played at Hoggard High School in Wilmington, N.C., on March 23.
The Capital Classic, which is put on by Hoop Culture, will be played at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., on April 13. McNeil Jr. is on the United States All-Star team, coached by former 10-year NBA player Dennis Scott.
According to its website, the Capital Classic has been around since 1974 and “has been a beacon in the Washington, DC community, showcasing some of the nation’s top high school basketball talent.
“The game has become a stepping stone for many college All-Stars, NBA All-Stars and Basketball Hall of Fame recipients.”
“It feels good knowing that I’m getting the opportunity to play in two all-star games,” McNeil Jr. shared. “Since it’s my senior season, this is the first time I’ll get to participate in something like this.
“I want to enjoy myself and I’m thankful and grateful,” he added. “It’s definitely a blessing and I want to show everyone why I should have been a McDonald’s All American.”
McNeil Jr. said he hopes that both all-star events will help him get “more exposure” against top-tier talent. He noted he enjoys scouting other players to try and “understand their game” to make himself better.
“These are two big games and if I play well, that will help get my name out there,” he explained. “And these will be great opportunities to put on my resume. My goal is to have fun but also boost my confidence before getting to N.C. State.”
According to MaxPreps, McNeil Jr. has scored the most points of any North Carolina player in any classification this season (660). His 31.4 points per game are second in the state behind LJ Smith IV of Lincolnton (32.2 PPG).
McNeil Jr. is fourth in the 4A East with 9.6 rebounds per game and has made a 4A East best 128 free throws this season (83%).
As his career as one of Richmond’s most prolific student-athletes enters its final stretch, McNeil Jr. reflected back on the past four seasons.
His freshman campaign (2020-21) was limited to just 12 games due COVID-19 restrictions.
Since then he’s been named the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore, led the Raiders to a 4A state runner-up as a junior and recently surpassed the 2K point mark of his career, among many other accolades.
He knows his successes aren’t all his own and looked back on his time the past four seasons.
“The most exciting part of this whole journey has to be where I’m at now,” McNeil Jr. smiled. “It’s just being here with my guys and playing basketball. These are the same guys I grew up with and we’ve gone to war together and we’ve cried together.
“I really love Bootsie (Pettigrew) as a coach, and everything he’s helped me with has built me into the player I am today. I had no idea all this would happen. I thought I was just going to play for Richmond and be done after four years. But God had a plan for me.
“And the guys I played with earlier in my career like Nygie Stroman, PJ McLaughlin and Dylan Lewis, they all helped me a lot,” he closed. “They taught me how to be a better basketball player and how to listen. I took all of that in and put it into my own game.”
