2025 Player Evaluation: Aari McDonald

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00:00Let's dive into the incredible journey of Ari McDonald, a player who refused to be overlooked.

00:06Ari McDonald did not start the season on a WNBA team roster, yet she quickly established

00:11herself as a key player for the Fever. Initially, McDonald was part of the training camp with the

00:16Los Angeles Sparks, where she participated in 26 games during the 2024 season. However,

00:22she was released by the Sparks before the regular season commenced. Early in the season,

00:26she signed with the Fever on an emergency hardship contract due to injuries affecting

00:31Kaitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. Upon joining the Fever, McDonald made a significant contribution,

00:37averaging 11 points and 3 assists in 25.3 minutes per game over her first 3 games with the team.

00:44This performance demonstrated that she had quickly earned the trust of head coach Stephanie White.

00:49At the time of her signing, White expressed her admiration for McDonald's defensive skills

00:53and her active presence on that end of the court. She highlighted McDonald's ability to penetrate

00:59the paint and make effective decisions once there. White noted, she is a true point guard,

01:04so she brings that energy, she brings the ability to dictate. And, she has been really good so far.

01:12There was a significant amount of information to take in quickly, and she managed to handle it

01:16exceptionally well. The Fever had to release McDonald when players returned to the lineup.

01:22However, just under two weeks later, a position became available after the Fever decided to waive

01:28Dewana Bonner, leading them to promptly re-sign McDonald for the remainder of the season.

01:33In her first game, back, McDonald contributed 14 points off the bench, and the following night

01:38she started and recorded 13 points along with 6 assists in a victory against Dallas.

01:44On July 1, McDonald was also a starter in the Commissioner's Cup Championship game,

01:48where she scored 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, along with 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal,

01:54contributing to the Fever's win in Minnesota. As Clark continued to deal with injuries,

01:59McDonald became an essential component of the Fever's offensive strategy.

02:04She recorded 10 games with 5 or more assists, achieving a season-high of 9 assists in a win

02:09against Seattle on August 3. McDonald played a crucial role in creating scoring opportunities for

02:15All-Stars Kelsey Mitchell and Aaliyah Boston, while also demonstrating her own scoring ability.

02:20He was also capable of scoring effectively. McDonald's standout performance occurred on July 30,

02:26when she led her team to a 107-101 victory against Phoenix. In that game, she achieved a personal best

02:35by scoring 27 points, shooting 7 for 11 from the field, 3 for 4 from beyond the arc,

02:41and a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line. Reflecting on her impressive game, McDonald stated,

02:47I think tonight I really was like, OK, this is my time to shine. Everyone's encouraging me so I have

02:52to believe. Just staying in the gym, staying locked in, and just staying aggressive. That's been the key

02:59for me. Unfortunately, McDonald's season was cut short on August 7 in Phoenix, when she suffered a

03:05broken bone in her right foot, coinciding with veteran point guard Sidney Coulson's torn ACL in

03:11the same game. Despite the abrupt end to her season, McDonald demonstrated throughout the 2025 season

03:18that she possesses the skills of a talented point guard who can start for a playoff-caliber team.

03:23Whether she remains in Indiana or moves to another team, she is likely to secure a position on a WNBA

03:29roster in 2026. Doesn't Aerie McDonald's story prove that resilience and talent can redefine a player's

03:36career path.

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