Aari McDonald

Last updated

Aari McDonald
Aari McDonald (52921268261) (cropped).jpg
McDonald with the Atlanta Dream in 2023
No. 15–Beijing Great Wall
Position Shooting guard / point guard
League WCBA
Personal information
Born (1998-08-20) August 20, 1998 (age 26)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Listed weight141 lb (64 kg)
Career information
High schoolBrookside Christian
(Stockton, California)
College
WNBA draft 2021: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Dream
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2023 Atlanta Dream
2021Uni Gyor MELY-UT
2023–2024 Perth Lynx
2024–present Los Angeles Sparks
2024–2025 Beijing Great Wall
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball Reference  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Aarion Shawnae McDonald (AIR-eeon; born August 20, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Beijing Great Wall of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). She was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA draft after playing college basketball at the University of Washington and the University of Arizona. [1]

Contents

Early life

McDonald grew up in Fresno, California as the youngest of six children. After initially playing at Bullard High School in her freshman year, she transferred to Brookside Christian High School in Stockton, California. At Brookside, she compiled nearly 1,500 points scored in her two years with the school, recording multiple triple-doubles and even a quadruple double. [2] A four-star recruit, she committed to playing college basketball at Washington.

College career

University of Washington

After missing the first seven games due to injury, McDonald played in 28 games, starting 21 of them. She was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team after averaging 9.8 points on the season, third on the team behind Kelsey Plum and Chantel Osahor. [3]

McDonald announced that she would leave the program and transfer after one season. [4] She cited departures of Plum, Osahor, head coach Mike Neighbors, assistant coach Morgan Valley, and the passing of her grandfather as reasons for her transfer. [5]

University of Arizona

McDonald decided to transfer to play at Arizona for Adia Barnes, a former Washington assistant who was heavily involved in recruiting her to play for the Huskies. [6] [7] She spent her first season with the program sitting out due to transfer rules and was a member of the scout team. [8]

Redshirt sophomore year

McDonald made an immediate impact in her first year on the court for the Wildcats, tying the school's single game scoring record with 39 points against Loyola Marymount in the second game of the season. [9] She finished the season with 890 points scored, breaking a single-season record set by her coach Barnes, and was the second player in Pac-12 history to have 800 points and 150 assists, joining her former teammate Plum. [5] She was named to the All-Pac-12 first team and defensive team at the end of the season. [10]

Redshirt junior year

After tying the single-game record for scoring in the previous season, McDonald broke the record with a 44-point performance against 22nd-ranked Texas on November 17, 2019. [11]

McDonald racked up awards, being named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and United States Basketball Writers Association, a first-team All-American by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pac-12 and on the Pac-12 All-Defensive team. [12] She was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award and named the 2020 recipient of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given to the top shooting guard in the country. [13] [14]

Although she was eligible for the WNBA draft, McDonald announced that she would return for her senior season at Arizona. [15] [16]

Redshirt senior year

McDonald was named the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year, becoming the first Arizona player to win the award since her head coach Adia Barnes. [17] She was also named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, the second consecutive year she was named the winner.

McDonald excelled during Arizona's 2021 NCAA tournament run. After leading the Wildcats past Stony Brook and BYU, she scored 31 points against Texas A&M in the Sweet Sixteen, sending Arizona to the Elite Eight for the first time. [18] She scored 33 points in the Wildcats' Elite Eight match against Indiana, despite suffering an ankle injury with more than two minutes remaining in the game. [19] In their next game against UConn, she scored 26 points en route to earning the first championship appearance in program history, as well as praise from UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. [20]

In the national championship game, McDonald scored a game-high 22 points and was able to get the final shot of the game off, but could not get it to fall as the Wildcats lost to Stanford 54–53, ending their historic run. [21] She ended her college career after scoring double-digits in 93 consecutive games, which was the longest active streak.

Professional career

WNBA

Atlanta Dream (2021–2023)

After being projected to be a top-five draft pick, [22] [23] McDonald was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA draft. [1] She averaged 6.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30 games in the 2021 WNBA season. [24] She was subsequently named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. [25]

McDonald returned to the Atlanta Dream for the 2022 WNBA season and averaged 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 36 games. [24] She returned to the Dream in 2023 for a third season. [24]

Los Angeles Sparks (2024–present)

On February 1, 2024, McDonald was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks alongside the 8th pick in the 2024 WNBA draft in exchange for Jordin Canada and the 12th pick. [26]

Overseas

In October 2021, McDonald had a four-game stint in Hungary with Uni Gyor MELY-UT. [24]

On August 25, 2023, McDonald signed with the Perth Lynx in Australia for the 2023–24 WNBL season. [27] [28] On December 29, 2023, she was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury. She suffered a torn medial collateral ligament two days earlier against the UC Capitals but avoided a knee reconstruction. [29] She returned to the line-up for the final two regular-season games, scoring 24 and 26 points to help the Lynx clinch a playoff spot. [30] She finished as the league's scoring champion with 19.8 points per game [31] and earned All-WNBL Second Team honors. [32] She scored 26 and 27 points in two semi-final games to lift the fourth-placed Lynx over the first-placed Townsville Fire to reach the WNBL grand final series. [33] [34] [35] In game one of the grand final series against the Southside Flyers, McDonald had 15 points and 10 assists in a 101–79 win. [36] [37] They went on to lose game two 97–95 despite McDonald's game-high 26 points. [38] [39] McDonald had 21 points in a 115–81 loss in game three. [40] [41]

McDonald signed with the Beijing Great Wall of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024–2025 season. [42]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold Career best°League leader

WNBA

Regular season

Stats current through end of 2024 season

WNBA regular season statistics [43]
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2021 Atlanta 30416.4.322.308.8821.62.00.80.21.26.3
2022 Atlanta 36624.3.411.338.8712.32.61.40.02.111.1
2023 Atlanta 24923.5.402.321.7622.03.00.60.01.67.9
2024 Los Angeles 261021.8.403.319.8432.03.70.90.21.88.7
Career4 years, 2 teams1162921.6.389.323.8492.02.81.00.11.78.6

Playoffs

WNBA playoff statistics
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2023 Atlanta 2018.0.273.2500.01.02.51.00.02.53.5
Career1 year, 1 team2018.0.273.2500.01.02.51.00.02.53.5

College

NCAA statistics
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2016–17 Washington 282124.1.473.330.6672.71.41.40.11.69.8
2017–18 Arizona Did not play (NCAA transfer rules)
2018–19 Arizona 373735.7.452.281.7556.54.62.60.13.824.1
2019–20 Arizona 292931.8.458.278.7885.63.62.30.03.820.6
2020–21 Arizona 272733.6.407.345.7655.44.02.60.13.120.6
Career5 years, 2 teams12111431.6.444.305.7565.13.42.30.13.119.1

Personal life

McDonald is the daughter of Aaron and Andrea McDonald. Her brother Tre'von Willis played basketball at UNLV. [44]

McDonald is currently engaged to former Arizona defensive back Devon Brewer, who proposed to her after the Wildcats were eliminated from the Pac-12 Tournament in 2020. [45]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perth Lynx</span> Western Australian womens basketball team

The Perth Lynx are an Australian professional basketball team based in Perth, Western Australia. The Lynx compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and play their home games at Bendat Basketball Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Northern Star Resources Perth Lynx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayla Steindl</span> American basketball player

Kayla Maria Steindl is an American professional basketball player for the Hobart Chargers of the NBL1 South. The Ellensburg, Washington native played four years of college basketball for Gonzaga before moving to Australia to play in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Whitcomb</span> American-Australian basketball player (born 1988)

Samantha Allison Whitcomb is an American-Australian professional basketball player for the Bendigo Spirit of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Washington Huskies before making a name for herself in Australia with the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL) and the Perth Lynx in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She made her debut in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2017 and won championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. She became an Australian citizen in 2018 and made her debut for the Australian Opals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Davis (basketball)</span> Canadian basketball player (born 1994)

Ruth Davis is a Canadian professional basketball player. She was drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2016 WNBA draft. Born in Smithers, British Columbia, she played college basketball for Oregon State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Williams</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Courtney Monae Williams is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Williams completed her high school basketball career at Charlton County High School. She signed with the University of South Florida and enrolled at the school in the fall of 2012.

Imani Trishawn McGee-Stafford is an American professional basketball player. She played college basketball for University of Texas at Austin.

Anneli Maley is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She is also contracted with the Perth Redbacks of the NBL1 West. She made her WNBL debut in 2016 and then spent two seasons in the United States playing college basketball for the Oregon Ducks and TCU Horned Frogs. With the Bendigo Spirit in 2022, she was named the WNBL Most Valuable Player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Schwagmeyer</span> American basketball player

Alison Renee Schwagmeyer is an American former professional basketball player. She played college basketball for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers and the Quincy Hawks before playing in Germany, Australia, Romania, Spain, and Serbia. In Australia, she helped the Lakeside Lightning win the SBL championship in 2018 and earned three consecutive SBL Most Valuable Player awards. She also played in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) for the Perth Lynx, Sydney Uni Flames and UC Capitals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordin Canada</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Jordin Elizabeth Canada is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected by the Seattle Storm with the 5th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Canada played collegiately with the UCLA Bruins. She is known for her playmaking, speed and crossover skills. In her rookie season with the Storm, she won her first WNBA championship as they swept the Washington Mystics. In 2020, after winning her second WNBA championship, she signed an endorsement deal with Air Jordan.

Jacquelyn Young is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2019 WNBA draft. A graduate of Princeton Community High School, she played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, reaching two NCAA finals and winning one in 2018. She won a gold medal in Women's 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and a national WNBA championship in 2022. In 2024, she won the gold medal in 5x5 basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marina Mabrey</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Marina Mabrey is an American professional basketball player for the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Mabrey was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2019 WNBA draft. She previously played with the United States women's national under-19 basketball team and the University of Notre Dame.

Shyla Jade Heal is an Australian professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Petrik</span> Australian basketball coach (born 1981)

Ryan Petrik is an Australian basketball coach who currently serves as head coach of the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). Prior to becoming head coach of the Lynx in 2020, Petrik led the Rockingham Flames women's team in the State Basketball League (SBL) to two championships in 2014 and 2015 and earned SBL Coach of the Year honours in 2012. Between 2015 and 2020, he served as an assistant coach with the Lynx, and between 2019 and 2024, he served as head coach of the Flames men's team. In 2022, he was named the WNBL Coach of the Year and guided the Flames men to the NBL1 West championship and NBL1 National championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laeticia Amihere</span> Canadian basketball player (born 2001)

Laeticia Amihere is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She is also contracted with the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Catherine Reese is an American professional basketball player for Kangoeroes Mechelen of the Belgian Women's Basketball League. She played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats. A four-time All-Pac-12 selection, Reese helped the Wildcats advance to the national championship game as a junior and win the Women's National Invitational Tournament as a freshman. She attended Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas, where she was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and named a McDonald's All-American, and joined Arizona as the highest-rated recruit in program history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Atwell</span> Australian basketball player (born 1998)

Amy Atwell is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, where she won the Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2022. She had briefs stints in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2022 with the Los Angeles Sparks and in 2024 with the Phoenix Mercury.

Miela Elizabeth Sowah is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). After winning a championship in the WNBL as a development player with the Townsville Fire in 2018, she played four seasons of college basketball in the United States for the Duke Blue Devils. She returned to the WNBL in 2022, playing a season for the Melbourne Boomers before joining the Perth Lynx in 2023.

Teige Morrell is an American professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack before playing professionally in Australia. She won the NBL1 Central MVP in 2019 with the Woodville Warriors and then spent a season with the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL. In 2021, she helped the Southern Tigers win the NBL1 Central championship behind another MVP season. She joined the Joondalup Wolves in 2022 and earned All-NBL1 West First Team honors in 2022 and 2023. After a season with the Perth Lynx in the WNBL, she joined the Lakeside Lightning in 2024 and earned NBL1 West MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betnijah Laney-Hamilton</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Rutgers University.

Melissa Sinfield is an Australian former professional basketball player. She played 13 seasons in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), including 11 with the Perth Breakers/Lynx. She also played in the State Basketball League (SBL), where she won five championships with the Perry Lakes Hawks.

References

  1. 1 2 "UA's Aari McDonald taken third overall in WNBA Draft; teammate Trinity Baptiste goes in second round". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Meet The Husky Freshmen: Aarion McDonald". University of Washington Athletics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Kelsey Plum Named Pac-12 Player Of The Year". University of Washington Athletics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Freshman basketball star Aarion McDonald leaving Washington". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "The rise of Aari McDonald, Arizona's star hungry for more". The Athletic. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Top Transfer Aarion McDonald Signs with Arizona". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ "The special bond between Arizona's Adia Barnes and Aari McDonald, who believed in each other". The Athletic. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Confidence, Speed and Shooting of Aari McDonald". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  9. ↑ "McDonald Ties School Record with 39 Points, LMU Wins 66-64". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Wildcats star Aari McDonald wins pair of Pac-12 awards, loses out on player of the year". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Aari McDonald breaks the Arizona record by scoring 44 points". KGUN9. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Arizona's Aari McDonald named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year; Oregon coach gets award over Adia Barnes". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ "2020 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalists Announced". Naismith Trophy. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Aari Mcdonald wins Ann Meyers Drysdale Award". The Daily Wildcat. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Aari McDonald will be back for her senior year". The Daily Wildcat. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  16. ↑ "This Is For Them by Aari McDonald". The Players Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Aari McDonald Named Pac-12 Player of the Year". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Sweet 16: McDonald propels Arizona over Texas A&M 74-59". Associated Press. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Aari McDonald's 33 points leads No. 3 Arizona to first Final Four in program history". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Aari McDonald's Electric Night vs. UConn Lifts Her Arizona Program to New Heights". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Stanford defeats Arizona to win its first NCAA women's title since 1992". Washington Post. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  22. ↑ "WNBA mock draft 2021, version 4.0: Arizona guard Aari McDonald jumps into top five". ESPN. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  23. ↑ "WNBA mock draft: Charli Collier holds top spot; Aari McDonald makes splash". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Aari McDonald" . usbasket.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Aari McDonald Named to WNBA All-Rookie Team". dream.wnba.com. October 5, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Sparks Acquire Guard Aari McDonald". WNBA.com. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  27. ↑ "ATLANTA DREAM #3 DRAFT PICK AARI MCDONALD JOINS LYNX FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON". wnbl.basketball/perth. August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  28. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (August 25, 2023). "Perth Lynx sign WNBA number three draft pick Aari McDonald after gaining backing from Marina Mabrey". The West Australian . Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  29. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (December 29, 2023). "Perth Lynx import Aari McDonald to miss six weeks with knee injury but will be back for WNBL finals". The West Australian . Archived from the original on December 29, 2023.
  30. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (February 25, 2024). "Perth Lynx finish fourth and will play against Townsville Fire in WNBL semi final series". The West Australian . Archived from the original on February 25, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Stats". wnbl.basketball. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  32. ↑ "WNBL 2023/24 Second All-Star Team". twitter.com/WNBL. February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  33. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 3, 2024). "Perth Lynx import Aari McDonald holds the key to a WNBL grand final berth ahead of clash with Townsville Fire". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 3, 2024.
  34. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 3, 2024). "Perth Lynx beat Townsville Fire to qualify for WNBL grand final as Aari McDonald and Amy Atwell star again". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 3, 2024.
  35. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 10, 2024). "Perth Lynx import Aari McDonald is built for big occasions like the WNBL grand final against Southside Flyers". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 10, 2024.
  36. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 10, 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx thrash Southside Flyers in game one as Amy Atwell stars". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 10, 2024.
  37. ↑ "LYNX SCORCH FLYERS IN AMAZING GAME 1 SHOWING". wnbl.basketball/perth. March 10, 2024. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024.
  38. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 14, 2024). "Perth Lynx defeated by Southside Flyers after buzzer beater in game two of grand final series". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 14, 2024.
  39. ↑ "FLYERS PREVAIL AFTER LYNX ALMOST PULL OFF FIGHTBACK". wnbl.basketball/perth. March 14, 2024. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024.
  40. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (March 17, 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx smashed in game three by Southside as championship dream gets shattered". The West Australian . Archived from the original on March 17, 2024.
  41. ↑ "LYNX FALL IN GAME 3 BUT PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF". wnbl.basketball/perth. March 17, 2024. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Beijing signs Aari McDonald". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Aari McDonald WNBA Stats". Basketball Reference.
  44. ↑ "Meet the next leader for the Washington women's hoops team: Aarion McDonald". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  45. ↑ "'McDonald time': Ranking Aari McDonald's timeless performances with the Wildcats". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.