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Ole Miss lands New Mexico transfer Cullen Neal

Neal

New Mexico guard Cullen Neal reacts during the final moments of an NCAA college basketball game against Fresno State, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Albuquerque, N.M. Fresno State won 92-82. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

AP

Ole Miss has landed a commitment from New Mexico transfer Cullen Neal, a source told NBCSports.com.

Neal, the son of New Mexico head coach Craig Neal, averaged 12.3 points and 3.7 assists for the Lobos as a sophomore. He got a medical redshirt for the 2014-15 season, and, after graduating in three seasons from UNM, he’ll be eligible immediately for the Rebels.

The 6-foot-3 lead guard will be paired in the back court with Miami transfer Deandre Burnett, as head coach Andy Kennedy looks to replace the production he got from Stefan Moody last season.

Neal transferred out of the New Mexico program after dealing with quite a bit of backlash from the fan base in Albuquerque. He’s a shot-first lead guard that played a major role on a team where he may have ended up being the third-best player on the roster. He did have some success, but the fan base viewed him similarly to how UCLA fans view Bryce and Steve Alford -- ‘Daddyball’ if you will -- and at one point Craig Neal told reporters that his son had received death threats from fans.

ESPN.com was the first to report the news of Neal’s commitment.