Who is Megan McConnell? TJ McConnell's sister and rising WNBA star

Hindustan Times

12-06-2025

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.