Arizona fans have reason to celebrate: former Wildcats standout Aari McDonald is back in the WNBA, signing with the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx sit atop the league standings with a 31‑9 record and have four games left before the regular season concludes.
McDonald’s comeback journey
McDonald missed most of last season after being waived by the LA Sparks in training camp. She later joined the Indiana Fever, where she became a fan favorite and posted career‑high numbers: 9.8 points per game on 42.9% shooting, 4.7 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 26.3 minutes. Over her career she has averaged 8.8 points, 3.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game.
Injuries sidelined her in August 2023 while with Indiana, and a subsequent stint in the Unrivaled 3×3 league also ended prematurely. Despite those setbacks, McDonald announced she would return this season, and the Lynx have given her the opportunity to do so on a championship‑contending roster.
What the Lynx gain
The Lynx, currently first in the WNBA, are looking to add McDonald’s playmaking and defensive tenacity as they head into the final stretch of the season. With the league resuming play on September 18 after a break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, Minnesota hopes McDonald can contribute immediately.
McDonald’s résumé
Drafted third overall in 2021 by the Atlanta Dream, McDonald helped lead Arizona to its first national championship appearance in 2020. She earned the Ann Meyers Drysdale award, back‑to‑back Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Year honors (2020‑21) and the 2021 Pac‑12 Player of the Year award. She was also inducted into Arizona’s Ring of Honor after turning pro.
Beyond the WNBA, McDonald has played internationally, most recently in China (2024‑25) and Australia, where she was the WNBL scoring champion with 19.8 points per game and helped the Perth Lynx reach the Grand Final.
Looking ahead
McDonald’s addition marks her third playoff‑team experience, though she missed Indiana’s 2023 postseason run due to injury. She previously appeared in two playoffs with the Atlanta Dream in 2023. As the Lynx aim to secure another title, her veteran presence and community‑focused attitude could prove valuable both on and off the court.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
