Gary Neal Named to NBA All-Rookie Team

A year ago, Gary Neal was an unknown in the NBA world.

Today, the Havre de Grace resident is one of the league's top up-and-coming talents.

The NBA named Neal to its All-Rookie First Team Wednesday, capping a whirlwind year for the Harford County native and former Towson University standout.

Neal, who has played overseas after graduating from Towson in 2007, became just the second player in NBA history to have made the first team after going undrafted. 

Neal was joined on the first team by Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins, Wizards guard John Wall and Knicks guard Landry Fields.

Neal averaged 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 80 games. Signed to a three-year deal after a standout performance in the NBA's summer league, Neal was expected to serve as a long-range shooter off the bench. He has lived up to his reputation, shooting 41.9 percent from three-point range, but his role expanded as he averaged 21.1 minutes per game. His three-point shooting percentage and his 129 three-point field goals set Spurs rookie records. He also shot 80.8 percent from the free-throw stripe.

Neal participated in the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities as a member of the Rookie Team in the Rookies-Sophomores game.

He made the national highlight reel in Game 5 of the Spurs' playoff series with Memphis, nailing a desperation three-pointer as the buzzer sounded at the end of regulation. The miraculous shot sent the game into overtime, and the Spurs prevailed, 110-103.

He led Aberdeen High to the 2000 state title, and transferred to Calvert Hall for his senior year.

He spent two years at LaSalle, being named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, before joining Towson University, where he set a single-season scoring record and finished his senior year fourth in the nation in scoring at 25.3 points per game.

Neal was married last summer, signed a free agent contract and settled on a home in Havre de Grace.