UAlbany men's basketball: Justin Neely ready to play after two years of rehab from knee injury

After undergoing a lengthy rehabilitation process following his injury sustained in November 2022 during the first half of the Albany Cup against Siena, he played only short periods last season, in just six games, before being sidelined for the remainder of the year. Now, just under 20 months after his fall to the floor of MVP Arena, Neely is full of optimism.

“I’m back to 1,000 percent,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m blessed and I’m ready to have a great year.”

The 6-foot-6 forward was an effective backup in his freshman year, averaging 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16 minutes per game, a performance that seemed to promise a larger role on the team before the Miami, Fla., native’s sophomore campaign was cut short after three games.

“It’s a long process, there are ups and downs,” he said. “Some days you feel good, some days you don’t. One day you’re training hard, the next day you can’t. That’s just the way it is. But I’m at the point now where we’re fully recovered.”

Neely believes his time on the bench taught him to move with more purpose on the field.

“After my first year, I was moving 1,000 miles an hour, things were moving fast,” he said. “But after watching the game for two years, the pace slowed down a lot.”

Fellow fourth-year Aaron Reddish, Neely’s only remaining Great Dane teammate from his freshman year, is happy to see him back healthy.

“I’m happy for him. I got to see the whole process he went through because of his injury up close,” Reddish said. “It’s nice to see him happy on the field.”

Head coach Dwayne Killings hopes Neely’s long road to recovery can make him a key leader for the team this season.

“He’s played at a very high level, we’ve had some frustrating moments, but I appreciate that he’s persevered,” Killings said. “He’s an elder statesman now, so to speak, so we need him to be able to come through with the group.”

Despite the obstacles in his career due to injuries, Neely always felt Albany was the place he was meant to be.

“I came here because Coach Killings believed in me. He gave me a great opportunity and I believe in him,” Neely said. “We have guys that are transferring or whatever, but I believe in what he’s doing and what this program can become.”

The healthy Miami native is part of a Great Danes team that just finished 13-19, which saw them finish eighth in the America East with a 5-11 record. Neely and Reddish are two of five returners on a team that features seven transfers and three freshmen.

“We’re a team that has a lot more pace,” Neely said. “We’re going to get up and down the field, we’re going to run, we’re going to defend, so I’m excited to see what we can do. We’ve got a lot of talent.”

While Neely’s workload and teammates could be very different in 2024-25, for him, it’s just another chapter.

“Every year has been a different experience for me, and I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “This is my fourth year in college, which is crazy for me, but I love it every day, so I’m excited to win with these guys.”