MSHSL History Capsule: Brett McNeal

It was next to impossible to not see the beauty that Minneapolis North’s Brett McNeal brought to the game of basketball.

The 6-foot-3 guard was a smooth, authoritative floor leader that could score at will, yet thread passes in the tiniest of crevices to create scoring plays during Minneapolis North’s dominance in the Polars’ three consecutive seasons that ended with three state tournament runs from 1983-85. His play and leadership drew the respect and praise of teammates and opponents as he guided the Polars to a state tournament appearance as a sophomore in 1983 and consecutive runner-up finishes to White Bear Lake the following two seasons.

McNeal was an All-America selected while playing collegiately at Western Kentucky University. In 120 games for the Hilltoppers, he averaged 15.5 points per game. He returned to Minnesota to guide his alma mater to the state tournament in 2002, and then a state crown the following season.

 He gives back to the community by serving as an activities director in the Minneapolis Public Schools. He currently serves in that capacity at Minneapolis Edison High School. McNeal is a common figure at Minnesota State High School League state tournament events where he serves in various administrative service roles.