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Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Health
- Indianapolis Star
‘Here for a reason.' Aari McDonald reminds herself she belongs in Fever 'audition'
INDIANAPOLIS – Aari McDonald meditated to calm her nerves before her first game with the Indiana Fever on Tuesday. The former third overall pick took slow breaths and told herself, 'You're here for a reason.' McDonald's debut performance vindicated her pregame affirmation. McDonald finished with seven points, five assists with zero turnovers and three steals in 27 minutes to help end the Fever's three-game losing skid with an 85-76 home victory over the Washington Mystics. 'It felt good tonight to finally get back. The team, the fans and the staff were all very welcoming and made sure I had everything to be very successful tonight. And shout out for the win,' McDonald said postgame. 'When your number is called, you have to be ready to deliver, and I felt like I did just that. 'The best I've seen it.' Fever snap skid, show signs of adapting to Stephanie White's system 'The team made me feel comfortable. They know what I can do, and just taking that and applying it to the court made me feel better. No pressure at all tonight, just going out there and playing my game." Indiana signed McDonald on Monday on an emergency hardship contact following injuries to Fever star Caitlin Clark (left quad strain) and guard Sophie Cunningham (right ankle). McDonald spent three seasons with the Atlanta Dream before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in early 2024. The Sparks waived McDonald in March. The former Pac-12 Player of the Year said the past few weeks without being on a roster was 'tough' and called it 'weird' to watch WNBA games from home. However, the time away makes McDonald value her return to the court. 'Being away taught me not to take anything for granted,' McDonald said. 'I didn't do that with my previous team, but being away for a couple of weeks makes me appreciate this more and when you go out on the court, it's all or nothing. You just have to leave it out there.' The Fever held a 14-point lead entering the fourth but found themselves only up by five with under two minutes left. With 1:28 remaining, McDonald drove to the basket and found a cutting Kelsey Mitchell under the rim. Mitchell made the layup, drew a foul and completed a three-point play to extend the Fever lead to 81-73. After practice Monday, Fever coach Stephanie White said she was impressed by McDonald's defensive prowess and ability to make wise decisions in the paint. The late game play validated why White signed the 26-year-old. "Aari was terrific," White said. "She was the ultimate point guard. She got us settled when we needed to. Five assists and zero turnovers, that's huge. Not just that, but she set the tone on the defensive end, and that was big time for us." McDonald acknowledged the anxiety associated with watching film to learn about players and a system she wasn't familiar with. McDonald said she was a "sponge" and wasn't afraid to ask questions about the Fever's play style, which helped her quickly acclimate. White credited McDonald for absorbing information quickly and Mitchell called her the 'ultimate pro,' praising McDonald for doing an 'unbelievable job' at learning the plays. 'Someone said in the locker room, 'We feel like you know the plays more than us already,'' Mitchell told reporters after the game. 'She's on it, and it goes to show what pros are and how they are supposed to operate. She did everything amazingly and with such grace. I think for us, we can use what she brings to the table offensively and defensively.' Mitchell added McDonald was 'fun to play with' and credited her with creating shots for the team. Mitchell believes McDonald also offers the Fever a 'scrappy' defensive presence. McDonald's first points of the game Tuesday came off a steal that turned into a transition layup. 'On the defensive end, I'm hungry. I don't like my person to score on me,' McDonald said. 'It happened a couple of times (Tuesday) and was frustrating, but it's just next-play mentality. I'm in survival mode, so I got to be hungry, and I've always had that in me, so you can't take it out. It was definitely brought out tonight. McDonald said it's imperative to maintain confidence in her game and remember the Fever has faith in her. McDonald knows nothing is promised in the WNBA and called her stint with the Fever an 'audition.' Before tip off on Tuesday, the former Arizona standout addressed mentally balancing the uncertainty that comes with playing in the league and staying positive when an opportunity arises. 'I have to constantly remind myself with the uncertainty that these moments don't define me,' McDonald said. 'You could easily crumble or keep working on your game and getting better. I stayed humble and grounded and the Fever called. I'm ready to rise to the occasion.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever's Newest Addition Makes Strong Statement After First Game
Indiana Fever's Newest Addition Makes Strong Statement After First Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With Caitlin Clark still out due to a strained quad, the Indiana Fever took a three-game losing streak into Tuesday's game against the Washington Mystics, needing to stop the bleeding. Advertisement They did just that with an 85-76 victory in their first game of Commissioner's Cup play. Guard Kelsey Mitchell carried them offensively with 24 points, while guard Lexie Hull added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. They also got some help from newcomer Aari McDonald, whom they signed on Monday. She shot just 2-of-7 from the field on Tuesday, but she contributed five assists and three steals in 27 minutes off the bench. Afterward, she talked about playing in her first WNBA game since last September. "It felt good tonight to finally get back... The team, the players and the fans -- they all were very welcoming to make sure I had everything to be successful tonight," she said. "... When your number is called, you gotta be ready to deliver, and I felt like I did just that. ... Grateful we got the win." McDonald, a 5-foot-6 guard, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Atlanta Dream. She had been a big-time scorer in three years at Arizona, where she won the Pac-12 Player of the Year award in 2021. Advertisement After three years with the Dream, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks prior to last season. But after she didn't make the Sparks' final roster for this year, she was waived a few weeks ago. LA Sparks guard Aari McDonald (15).Kirby Lee-Imagn Images McDonald was signed under the WNBA's emergency hardship exception. The Fever are not only without Clark but also guards Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson, and those injuries have left them very thin in the backcourt. Tuesday's win improved their record to 3-4. Clark, who suffered her injury roughly a week ago, is expected to miss about two weeks, possibly a little longer. Related: Indiana Fever Had Words After Snapping Three-Game Losing Streak This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Indianapolis Star
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
With injuries piling up, Fever sign guard who scored 33 vs. IUWBB in NCAA tournament
With injuries piling up to its backcourt, the Indiana Fever signed Aari McDonald via emergency hardship waiver. Caitlin Clark is out until at least June 9 with a quadriceps strain, while Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson picked up injuries in the Fever's loss to Connecticut on Friday. That left the Fever with no true point guards and just two healthy guards: Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull. The WNBA emergency hardship exception allows any team to sign a player, with immediate effect, if a team drops below 10 game-eligible players at any time. The Fever were down to eight healthy players due to the injuries, but also because they opened the season with one roster spot open because of salary cap restrictions. McDonald has averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game over her four-year WNBA career. She played the 2024 season with Los Angeles and was drafted No. 3 overall by Atlanta in 2021. McDonald played for the Perth Lynx in Australia and led the league in scoring in 2023-24. The 2021 Pac-12 Player of the Year out of Arizona, she scored 33 points in the Wildcats' Elite Eight win over IU in the 2021 NCAA tournament. The Fever host Washington on Tuesday, and McDonald will be eligible to play against the Mystics. 'We're down in numbers, but we're looking at adding another player, a replacement player, to help us with our numbers, and we'll try to get people healthy and try to get back to a full roster together,' Fever president Kelly Krauskopf said Sunday. 'I mean, games are still coming, so it's gonna be an adjustment, but we have a good group, and we have good depth, thankfully.' Cunningham and Colson's MRIs were encouraging, and coach Stephanie White said they are 'day to day.' Neither participated in practice Sunday, but Colson was on the stationary bike during it and put up some shots after. Cunningham didn't practice at any portion, wearing slides as she came up to the court after practice was over.
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Are Gabriela Jaquez, Jaime Jaquez related? What to know of UCLA basketball guards
Are Gabriela Jaquez, Jaime Jaquez related? What to know of UCLA basketball guards Show Caption Hide Caption You don't need a NCAA championship to excel, according to Lisa Leslie A former USC Trojan, Lisa Leslie never won a NCAA tournament championship herself, and believes players don't need it to be great in the WNBA. Sports Seriously Can another Jaquez reach the Final Four with UCLA? Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez, a few years after her brother Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Bruins from the First Four to the Final Four, looks to help UCLA women's basketball to its first-ever Final Four appearance in the women's NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Bruins will take on No. 3 seed LSU. REQUIRED READING: LSU vs. UCLA women's basketball live updates: Elite Eight prediction, where to watch UCLA last made the Final Four in 1979, when the women's tournament was still under the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). The Bruins secured the No. 1 overall seed this season, with Gabriela Jaquez playing a large role. Jaime Jaquez Jr., the No. 18 overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft, was an All-America selection at UCLA, and plays a key role for the Miami Heat in 2025. Here's everything to know about Gabriela and Jaime Jaquez as the brother-sister duo look to become a pair of UCLA players to make the Final Four: Are Gabriela Jaquez, Jaime Jaquez Jr. related? Yes. The UCLA women's basketball guard is the younger sister to Jaime Jaquez Jr., a former Bruins All-American and Miami Heat guard. The two overlapped at UCLA for one season, when Gabriela Jaquez was a freshman and Jaime Jaquez Jr. was a senior in 2022-23. Jaime Jaquez Jr. helped lead UCLA to the Final Four of the 2021 men's NCAA Tournament alongside another future NBA guard in Johnny Juzang. He later became the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2023 as a senior, averaging 17.8 points with 8.2 rebounds per game. Gabriela Jaquez is quite the player herself, averaging 9.6 points with 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 53% from the field in 31 starts this season. Their parents, Angela and Jaime Jaquez Sr., both played basketball at Concordia University. REQUIRED READING: Women's March Madness bracket breakdown: Best players to watch in Elite Eight Gabriela Jaquez stats Here are Gabriela Jaquez's year-by-year stat averages in college: 2022-23: 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game on 45.5% shooting 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game on 45.5% shooting 2023-24: 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game on 47.8% shooting 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game on 47.8% shooting 2024-25: 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game on 53% shooting Jaime Jaquez Jr. college stats Here are Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s stat averages in college:
USA Today
04-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Real challenge for Evan Mobley will come in 2025 NBA playoffs
Real challenge for Evan Mobley will come in 2025 NBA playoffs Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers brace for their prove-it moments in the NBA While the current USC men's basketball team is making strides on the court, the program's alumni are also making names for themselves in the NBA. Last week, the NBA announced its selections for this year's All-Star Game. Included on the list was former USC star and current Cleveland Cavaliers anchor Evan Mobley. Now in his fourth season in the NBA, Evan Mobley is having the best season of his career to date. Through 43 games, he is averaging 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per contest. After a stellar freshman campaign at USC, Cleveland took Mobley with the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. In his lone season wearing Cardinal and Gold, Mobley averaged 18.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.7 assists per game. He led the Trojans to their first Elite Eight appearance in 20 years. He was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year all in the same season. As well as Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers have played this season, though, we all know the NBA playoffs will be a true revealer of how good the Cavs and their stars actually are. If the Cavaliers can't at least make the Eastern Conference Finals -- likely to face the presumptive favorite in the East, the Boston Celtics -- this season will be viewed as a disappointment. The large stack of NBA regular-season wins the Cavaliers are currently accumulating will ultimately be forgotten.
