As a senior in 1983, he earned all-American[1] and all-state honors, averaging 27.6 points per game and leading his 25-2 Washington High School team to the semi-state finals.

[4] During Neal's time at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets made the 1984 NIT and subsequent NCAA Tournaments the following four years, including trips to the Elite Eight in 1985 and Sweet Sixteen in 1986.

[7] In his rookie NBA season, Neal played 21 games for the Portland Trail Blazers before being waived on January 11, 1989.

[6] Neal later played for the Florida Jades of the World Basketball League in 1991 and he was the Most Valuable Player in the 1991 WBL All-Star Game.

[9] In 1996, Neal joined the Toronto Raptors of the NBA as a scout before becoming an assistant coach for the team under Lenny Wilkens in 2000.

[4][1] For three years, Neal coached the Raptors' summer league team and led pre-draft workouts for prospects.

[4] In August 2004, Craig Neal joined long-time friend and head coach Steve Alford at the University of Iowa.

[10] With Neal as Associate Head Coach, Iowa posted a 63–35 record, including consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2006.

"[12] In Neal's first season as head coach, New Mexico finished 27–7, including 15–3 and second place in the Mountain West Conference.

[17] By the end of the season, four players who had eligibility remaining decided to leave the program, including leading scorer Elijah Brown.

[17] Acting university president Chaouki Abdallah stated: "The decision made late tonight comes after lengthy consideration in light of recent developments that cannot be ignored.