Who is Megan McConnell? TJ McConnell's sister and rising WNBA star
You might already know T.J. McConnell as the tenacious guard for the Indiana Pacers, but there's another McConnell making her mark on the hardwood: his younger sister, Megan McConnell.
Megan's journey to the WNBA didn't begin with glitz or viral mixtapes. It started in the gyms of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her family name was already legendary. Her father, Tim McConnell, built a reputation as one of Pennsylvania's most respected high school coaches. Her aunt? None other than Suzie McConnell-Serio—Olympic gold medalist, WNBA standout, and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee since 2008.
Basketball didn't just surround Megan—it practically raised her. Growing up in that kind of environment, the game wasn't a choice so much as a calling. But Megan never leaned on her last name. She earned her stripes the hard way.
After five standout seasons at Duquesne University, Megan left behind a legacy that's hard to miss. Despite standing just 5-foot-7, she racked up eye-popping numbers: 1,795 career points (second in school history), a record-breaking 660 assists, 370 steals, and a whopping 1,079 rebounds. She was the kind of player who did everything—and then some.
Her accolades speak volumes. Four triple-doubles. Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Three-time All-Academic team selection. And perhaps most impressively, she became only the third Duquesne women's basketball player ever to make a WNBA roster, following in the footsteps of Korie Hlede (1998) and Candace Futrell (2004).
In June 2025, Megan signed a rest-of-season contract with the Phoenix Mercury—her second stint with the team after turning heads during training camp earlier that year. It was a big moment for her and for the McConnell family.
Mike White, a Pittsburgh sportswriter, summed it up perfectly on X:
'Another chapter to the McConnell family story. It just keeps going. Last night, T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers earned a spot in the NBA Finals. This morning, T.J.'s sister, Megan, signed with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.'
Megan didn't wait long to make her debut. Facing the Minnesota Lynx, she checked into her first official WNBA game and made it count—scoring 3 points, dishing out 3 assists, and hitting 50% from deep off the bench. For a moment, it felt like the beginning of something big.
But just as the buzz began, a knee sprain late in the fourth quarter paused her momentum. Cruel timing, to be sure. Still, the Mercury kept her on the roster—a clear sign of belief in what she brings to the table. Because players like Megan don't coast on hype or pedigree. They claw for every second on the floor.
Megan McConnell isn't just 'T.J. McConnell's sister.' She's a fierce competitor, a Duquesne legend, and a rising pro with the kind of grit that's impossible to ignore. Her debut may have been brief, but the impact? Undeniable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has a stern message for Tyrese Haliburton and company he dubbed OKC Thunder as a "daunting challenge'
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has a stern message for Tyrese Haliburton and company he dubbed OKC Thunder as a "daunting challenge' (Image Source: Getty) Indiana Pacers' coach Rick Carlisle has been facing intense pressure to create history as the heated NBA Finals are on. The team is up against the Oklahoma City Thunder and none of them are baking down. For Carlisle, this is his sixth NBA Finals, and he believes his team needs to focus only on how they're performing now, and it doesn't matter how they performed in the past. The Pacers have put their heart and soul into the game, and it can only get exciting from here. Carlisle praised Oklahoma City Thunder and how they have been great historically. Coach Rick Carlisle says Oklahoma City Thunder is a daunting challenge for Indiana Pacers Rick Carlisle has had a fantastic career. He made it to the NBA Finals as a player, as an assistant and also as a head coach. Now, his entire focus is on the Indiana Pacers and how he could strategize the team better, and focus on maintaining a solid score. — sixfivelando (@sixfivelando) On Thursday, according to Carlisle said, 'There's no looking forward, We study some of the things that have happened leading up to this. Beyond that, I'm not talking about anything having to do with series standings or any of that kind of stuff. It would be foolish.' The Indiana Pacers are pretty strong, nevertheless. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Even as coach Carlisle doesn't address previous games, his ability to ensure the team feels confident is impressive. The team knows how to bounce back. He said, 'The magnitude of the challenge with Oklahoma City is daunting because of the kind of year that they had and how great they are. They're historically great in so many different areas…It takes nothing less than everything we possibly have together. But we need everybody. We need everybody to put everything they have into it. That's how we've gotten to the Finals.' Also Read: Pascal Saikam Sends Inspiring Message To Indiana Pacers To Seize Rare NBA Finals Opportunity Ahead Of Game 3: 'Don't Know When You're Going To Get The Opportunity Again' The Indiana Pacers' game has been a brilliant example of what teamwork looks like. Each player has been able to contribute wholeheartedly to the brilliant scores the team has managed to maintain.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Australian Olympic Equestrian Heath Ryan Suspended Over Horse-Whipping Video
Olympian Heath Ryan has been suspended by an "extremely alarmed" Equestrian Australia after a video showed him whipping a horse more than 40 times. The 66-year-old, who represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said in a statement he had been acting in the animal's "best interests". The video, originally shared to US-based Facebook account Dressage Hub, showed him striking the stallion repeatedly with a narrator saying the horse was "traumatised in every state". Equestrian Australia said it was "extremely alarmed and concerned". "Equestrian Australia has imposed a provisional suspension of this person's membership of Equestrian Australia and their rights, privileges and benefits associated with their membership," it added. The ban will remain in place pending an investigation by its integrity unit. Ryan, a former three-time Australian three-day event champion, defended his actions, saying it had been a "life or death moment" for the horse, named Nico. He said the six-year-old had always been a "problem child" and was destined for the knackery after an incident with a family friend that left her in intensive care. "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable," he said. "That video was a life or death moment for Nico and I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. "All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably, it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video." He claimed the video was two years old and posted by a disgruntled ex-employee, with Nico now thriving in a new home. Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin missed the Paris Games last year following a different horse-whipping controversy. The British rider was banned just days before the start of the Olympics after a video emerged showing her repeatedly striking a horse on its legs. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Stephen A Smith gets special shout-out from Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson after his appearance on First Take
NBA icon Magic Johnson lit up ESPN's 'First Take' set in New York this week, joining longtime friend Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim for a spirited conversation during the ongoing NBA Finals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fresh off Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers showdown, Johnson delivered strong takes on key basketball storylines. The Los Angeles Lakers legend also shared his appreciation for his media colleagues. Magic Johnson praises Stephen A. Smith and ESPN hosts Magic Johnson made a dual appearance Thursday morning, first on Get Up! with Mike Greenberg and Jay Williams, then on First Take. The Lakers legend relished every minute of it. 'I always have the best time when I'm on First Take with my great friend Stephen A. Smith and the super talented Molly Qerim! We covered a range of topics this morning and it was such an amazing time! @FirstTake,' Magic wrote on X. His shout-out didn't end there as the NBA Hall of Famer went on to extend his appreciation to the Get Up! crew as well, tweeting, 'It's always great to visit my boy Mike Greenberg and Jay Williams on Get Up! I want to thank them both for having me on this morning to talk the NBA Finals OKC vs. Indiana, the Lakers, and my championship mindset. @GetUpESPN.' Johnson brought championship knowledge and an unmistakable presence to both ESPN platforms. During his First Take moment, Smith asked Johnson to define a 'superstar,' and the response was classic Magic. 'A person who can go on the road and sell the building,' Johnson declared. 'You gotta be box office… Larry Bird — people running home. Charles Barkley — people running home. Shaq — people running home. Kobe — people running home. And of course, the greatest to ever play — . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now People running home to see him, or doing everything they can to get into the arena to watch him play. That's a superstar.' T hough Johnson has long been an admirer of LeBron James, especially since the King joined the Lakers, he didn't hesitate when naming Michael Jordan as the GOAT. Johnson and Jordan famously faced off in the 1991 NBA Finals, a series that marked the passing of the torch as the Bulls began their dynasty. Beyond legacy debates, Johnson also gave his take on the New York Knicks' disappointing postseason exit. On Get Up, he pointed to one trade that, in his view, shifted the team's identity. 'The swagger left the Knicks when [DiVincenzo] got traded, and they don't have that swagger again,' he said, referring to Donte DiVincenzo's move to Minnesota as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. Also Read: 'See, they got nice guys, but they don't have tough, mean guys, and that's what Donte brought to the table.' Johnson highlighted DiVincenzo's grit and scoring touch, noting his 22.7 points per game in last season's playoffs as a critical missing piece. 'New York Knicks fans loved him because he was tough, he was mean, but also he could score,' Johnson added.
