 During his senior season, he averaged 11.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and led the Wildcats to Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned first team All-Big Eight and honorable mention All-America honors.After his college career ended, Nealy was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the eighth round of the 1982 NBA draft.In 10 NBA seasons with the Kings (1982–1985), San Antonio Spurs (1986–1988), Chicago Bulls (1988–1990; 1993), Phoenix Suns (1989; 1990–1992) and Golden State Warriors (1992), Nealy averaged 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.