Angelina College’s La’Neique Nealey was well on her way to an All-American caliber year when she went down with a season-ending injury back in January.
That didn’t stop the collegiate scouts from campaigning for her services.
A virtual double-double machine throughout most of her two years with the Lady Roadrunners, Nealey recently signed to play the remainder of her collegiate career at Prairie View A&M University beginning in the fall of 2017.
Nealey said she didn’t just drop in for a campus visit. She also watched the Tigers – and their coaching staff – in action on game night. What she saw convinced her the campus nestled just outside Houston was the perfect location for her new basketball home.
“I felt I fit into the environment there, and when I went to watch them play and saw how (head coach Ravon Justice) coaches, I felt I fit in with the style of play,” Nealey said. “I felt the players stick together like a family. I love basketball, and this decision came down to the game, but being on the campus and the environment it creates was more than basketball.”
The Madisonville product leaves AC as one of the program’s all-time greats after averaging double figures in both scoring and rebounds while she was on the floor. Nealey played in 17 games before her season ended, scoring in double figures in 16 of those. She notched 12 double-doubles in that span, including a streak of eight straight games with 10 or more points and rebounds. Nealey’s numbers at the end of the 2016-2017 campaign would have had her near the top of every All-American list – she earned Honorable Mention honors for her freshman season – had she been able to compete in enough games. Nealey nevertheless averaged 16.7 points. 12.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 2.1 steals and 2.4 assists for the past year.
Her all-around skill set is a big reason she believes she’ll make an immediate impact with the Panthers.
“I feel I’ll definitely be able to add to the scoring and rebounding,” Nealey said. “I feel I can bring a lot to the table. I’m just ready to get back on the court. I’ve been out almost six months, and that’s way too long.”
Nealey credits her head coach at AC, Byron Coleman, with helping her mature into a Division I-level athlete.
“I’d have to say the way Coach Coleman’s coaching style made me push myself further, and it made me become more independent,” Nealey said. “I feel I grew as a leader. His style is all about teammates helping teammates and pushing each other. He treats us like adults, and I think he helped me to grow up faster and stop depending on someone else.”
Nealey in 2015-2016 earned 1st Team All-Conference honors and was a JUCO All-Star Game selection.
Her parents are Susan and Lamar Nealey.
