MONTVERDE, Fla. — In a historic night for Lake County basketball, four Montverde Academy players were selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. These were all graduates of the Montverde Academy class of 2024. They would go on to play college basketball for one year as per the rules but they are remembered for putting together one of the greatest high school basketball teams ever assembled in history.

(From left to right Liam McNeeley, Cooper Flagg, Asa Newell and Derik Queen. Photo Credit – Montverde Academy.)

Cooper Flagg, a generational talent and the projected No. 1 pick for months, heard his name called first by the Dallas Mavericks. The Maine native, who transferred to Montverde for his final two years of high school, led the Eagles to a flawless 34-0 season and a national championship title.

Joining Flagg in the first round were Derik Queen, selected 13th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans; Asa Newell, chosen 23rd by the Atlanta Hawks; and Liam McNeeley, who rounded out the night at pick No. 29 to the Charlotte Hornets.

(The four Montverde Academy teammates of the class of 2024 who got picked in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Credit – ESPN.)

All four players were integral pieces of Montverde Academy’s undefeated season and national title run in 2024.

Although Montverde Academy head basketball coach Kevin Boyle is moving on from the Montverde program, he has coached so many talented players who are currently in the NBA. Boyle moves onto Spire Academy in Ohio. Boyle won eight national championships for Montverde Academy and some of the best players in the world have come through Lake County.

(Amazing memories these four shared with their teammates and coaches in 2024. It was an incredible season for the Eagles. Photo Credit – Montverde Academy.)

The Montverde Academy program is based in Lake County, they play a national schedule and play among the best teams in the country. While the players may not have been born in Lake County, they chose to come here in hopes of earning this moment. They could have played anywhere in the United States including some great programs in Ohio, New Jersey, California and Chicago. But they chose Montverde Academy. That says a lot about the school, the teachers, coaches and everyone who puts so much hard work to making Montverde Basketball and all the athletics programs the best it can be.

As they begin their professional journeys, Flagg, Queen, Newell, and McNeeley carry with them the legacy of Montverde’s storied program. We are very proud of them for representing our county with respect and look forward to following along with their NBA careers.