Q&A: Aari McDonald talks 'prankster' Caitlin Clark, Commissioner's Cup win
After joining the Fever on a hardship exemption contract in early June, McDonald has shined and eventually earned a rest-of-season deal with the franchise.
FTW talked with McDonald for a feature story about how she and the Fever have been such a perfect fit for each other. However, we have even more intel from McDonald about playing with Indiana and her story."Every day, I still try to process this," McDonald said about her unexpected path to joining the Fever. "I'm in disbelief every day. Like, dang, everything happens fast... I'm happy, and I'm present. I want to be where my feet are and just enjoy everything that's come my way and just be myself and just try to make an impact on and off the court with [my Fever teammates]."
From playing with superstar guard Caitlin Clark to Indiana's surprise Commissioner's Cup victory over the Minnesota Lynx, let's dive in with McDonald on some takeaways we couldn't fit into our feature story.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Is there something about the way that you were raised -- maybe it was coaches you had growing up -- that helped you be able to navigate the spontaneity of being a professional athlete?
I've always been adaptable to any type of situation that I've been in, and I think that comes with maturity. Dating back, just, I went away for high school my last three years. I'm from Fresno, but I went to a private school from Stockton, and so, I finished my three years there... Just being away from my family, I think that helped me mature more and just be very adaptable to my situation and my environment. So, I mean, I feel like I always had that maturity growing up and just adapted to any situation.
Was there a certain player that you had growing up, maybe in college, high school, maybe when you first got to the W, that really was a mentor for you?
My rookie season [with the Atlanta Dream], Odyssey Sims took me under her wing, and I know that we didn't have the best season there, and I didn't have the best rookie season as well... [Odyssey] helped me keep my mental really right because it was hard, like you're coming from college where you're like the main player, and you just had a great senior year, and then, you come to the pros, and you're barely playing. You're not really on a good team. [We] just had so many coaching changes. [Odyssey] made it easy for me, and she made it fun, so I really do appreciate her for that.
What was the key to the Fever getting the Commissioner's Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx?
I think the key was our defense. When you look back, we held them to a season low I want to say, and then, we made things tough for [Napheesa Collier]. Coming in, Phee is number one on everyone's scouting report, [but] she wasn't efficient that game. So, I mean, that gives credit to our intentionality to the scouting details. We knew that coming in, Minnesota, they're a great team. [They're] disciplined. They run their sets with pace and a purpose, so I mean... we have to make it hard. Are we going to stop them every time? No, but we've got to make it and contain them. And, I think we did that, and on the other end, our defense dictated our offense. We did go through some lulls, but I think still we executed and got what we wanted.
What do you think the secret is to building team chemistry?
For one, just being selfless. I think that factors into the team chemistry. You just got to give more of yourself, and no egos... none of that. So, I feel like that's what we have [in Indiana]. There's no egos. Everyone wants to win. We're all competitive, and we all have one goal in the end. So, I mean, I think that's why we're clicking right now.
Have you enjoyed playing for Fever coach Stephanie White?
I have. Coach White, I haven't known her for that long. I played against her last year, but just coming in... she told me to be myself... being a coach and giving me that confidence that I've been needing and lacking throughout my career, I mean, that meant a lot to me, and so, that's why I'm able to go out there and just be myself and be more poised for the team.
How is it playing with Caitlin Clark?
It's been good. She's funny. I didn't know what to expect, me and her, or just being around her on her team. But, she's a great basketball player [and an] even better human being. I got to know her and just see how... on the court, it's all business, but off the court... she's funny, a little prankster. [She's] always cracking jokes. So, I mean, that's been good to see.
Was there something about your journey to joining the Fever that was a little surreal?
I think, for me, that moment when I was like, "Oh, this is surreal," when I checked in against D.C. for the first game, and just hearing like the fans are up. When I subbed in, I was like, "This is for me?" I got the chills, and then I was like, alright, let me snap out of it. Like, I've got to start playing. The environment, the fan experience, it's something that I've never experienced before. They are die hards, and they go hard for their team and their players.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Aari McDonald talks Caitlin Clark, Fever's Commissioner's Cup win
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
MLB trade deadline rumors: Latest news, updates from around baseball
Major League Baseball's 2025 trade deadline is just days away, set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31. A few deals have come together in the past week, notably Josh Naylor (Mariners) and Ryan McMahon (Yankees) finding new homes. Some of the other top players who have surfaced in trade rumors are Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez and Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Suárez is in the midst of a spectacular season, on pace for 55 home runs and 133 RBIs, while former Cy Young winner Alcantara has struggled after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery. Top contenders will be jockeying to add to their lineups, rotations and bullpens for the stretch run with the ultimate goal of playing deep into October. Follow along on Monday for the latest news and rumors: DIamondbacks trade rumors continue 'Do I think there's a chance we make more trades? Yes, I do,' Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said. 'I think there's going to be enough interest that we probably will have to look at — think long and hard about what we're doing. I just don't know the extent to which that's going to happen and how many that's going to be.' He said interest in his veterans on expiring deals — namely right-handers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen and third baseman Eugenio Suarez — has been strong, though he admitted his group has not yet focused its attention on those players. – Nick Piecoro, Arizona Republic Yankees add depth with Amed Rosario trade The New York Yankees acquired Amed Rosario in a trade with the Washington Nationals, providing depth as a player who has the versatility to play all around the infield. Rosario has started 20 games at third base and 13 games at second base for the Nationals this season. He's also proven to be trouble for left-handed pitchers. He's batting .299 with an .816 OPS against lefties in 2025. Rosario joined the Nationals this season after spending time with five other teams over the first eight seasons of his major league career. He signed a one-year deal worth $2 million during the offseason and will become a free agent after the season concludes. – James H. Williams Should Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal this winter? Sandy Alcantara trade interest picking up? After tossing seven strong innings in his last start, Sandy Alcantara's name is back atop deadline wish lists, with USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reporting that trade interest has soared. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner has struggled this season after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery. When is MLB trade deadline 2025? Major League Baseball's trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline rumors 2025: Latest news and updates
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Find out when Notre Dame football will start its fall camp for the 2025 season
As we are heading towards the end of July, we know Notre Dame football is right around the corner when fall camps starts. Typically teams have about a month from when they report to begin really preparing for the season and when the opener is, which is exactly the case for the Irish. They'll start camp this coming Thursday, July 31st, with the first game being played against Miami on the road on Aug. 31st according to On3. There is plenty of hype surrounding the Notre Dame program at the moment, fresh off an impressive run to the College Football Playoff championship game, followed up by arguably the best recruiting class ever in the 2026 cycle. Head coach Marcus Freeman is also getting plenty of national attention, and big things are expected from this team once again as the season rapidly approaches. Notre Dame does have more than a few questions surrounding its team, but many of the other tops teams are also facing the same issue. The Irish should enjoy another successful regular season, one that propels them once against into the CFP. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame football's fall camp set to start later this week


USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Storm vs. Sun odds, tips and betting trends - 7/28/2025
Tina Charles and the Connecticut Sun (4-20) play the Seattle Storm (15-11) on Monday, July 28, 2025 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will start at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3, NBCS-BOS, and CW Seattle. In its previous game, Seattle fell on the road to Washington 69-58, with Nneka Ogwumike (18 PTS, 42.9 FG%) and Erica Wheeler (12 PTS, 6 AST, 35.7 FG%, 2-7 from 3PT) leading the way. In its most recent game, Connecticut beat Golden State 95-64 at home, with Charles (24 PTS, 2 STL, 72.7 FG%) and Marina Mabrey (15 PTS, 46.2 FG%, 2-8 from 3PT) leading the way. Here is everything you need to prepare for Monday's action. Watch the WNBA on Fubo! Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun odds and betting lines WNBA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 6:05 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Storm moneyline insights Sun moneyline insights Storm vs. Sun: Game time and info Watch the WNBA on Fubo!