Short-handed Fever sign Cats star Aari McDonald

UA’s 2nd all-time leading scorer joins third WNBA team

INDIANAPOLIS (IN) — The Indiana Fever signed former lottery pick Aari McDonald on Monday via an emergency hardship exception.

The UA 2021 star immediately made an impact during her debut Tuesday night, scoring 7 points, dishing out 5 assists and heisting 3 steals in 27 minutes of an 85-76 Fever win over the Washington Mystics.

REACTION: Fever head coach Stephanie White impressed with McDonald’s performance in her 1st game

The 5-foot-6 guard was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream and was runner up for the WNBA’s 2021 Rookie of the Year honor.

She averaged 9 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in 116 games (29 starts) for the Dream (2021-23) and Los Angeles Sparks (2024). McDonald spent training camp with the Sparks, but she was placed on waivers two days before this season began.

McDonald, 26, arrives as star Fever guard Caitlin Clark remains sidelined with a left quadriceps injury.

Veteran guards Sydney Colson (leg) and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) also are dealing with recent injuries for Indiana (2-4), which takes a three-game losing streak into Tuesday’s home game against the Washington Mystics.

PREGAME: Aari McDonald meets the Indianapolis media before her 1st game with the Fever

–Field Level Media