 As a senior in 1987–88, Neal set the ACC single-season record with 303 assists while averaging a league-best 9.5 assists per game in addition to 7.7 points.During Neal's time at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets made the 1984 NIT and subsequent NCAA Tournaments he following four years.In the 1988 NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers picked Neal in the third round, 71st overall.