Former Wildcat: Aari McDonald makes AP All-Rookie team, in WNBA

[Carnac]

Following a respectable start to her WNBA career, former Wildcat basketball star Aari McDonald earns All-Rookie honors from Associated Press.

It is playoff time in the WNBA, and while Aari McDonald and the Atlanta Dream may not be participating this time, the future is bright for the former Wildcat and her squad.

As you all hopefully recall, Aari was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, following a spectacular and historic career in Arizona.

Former Wildcat: Aari McDonald makes AP All-Rookie team, in WNBA

Following a respectable start to her WNBA career, former Wildcat basketball star Aari McDonald earns All-Rookie honors from Associated Press.

zonazealots.com

 

[willtalk]

Ari was not a McDonald AA although she should have been. Goes to show how HIgh School AS teams do not always predict how well a player will do in College. Onyenwere also was named All rookie team. Both did not have one of their better season their last year although McDonald picked it up during the playoffs.

 

[JellyBean]

Congrats, Aari McDonald and to the rest of the All Rookie Team.

 

[Carnac]

Ari was not a McDonald AA although she should have been. Goes to show how HIgh School AS teams do not always predict how well a player will do in College. Onyenwere also was named All rookie team. Both did not have one of their better season their last year although McDonald picked it up during the playoffs.

Aari started off the season slowly, but gained momentum as the season progressed. She finished strong. She should blossom next year with a full season of overseas competition under her belt. She's a heady player and very quick, and she's coachable. We know she can shoot. I think she's a "keeper".

 

[GoChips20]

Aari McDonald will develop into a solid pro. She was the player of the NCAA tournament this year (feels like most years have one — Steph Curry, of course, might be the most noteworthy example).

Just for fun, can anyone name others from the women’s side? Chantel Osahor had a breakout tourney for UW in 2016 although they got bounced in the F4 and Aari was one point away from a title.

 

[nwhoopfan]

How many rounds deep does a player have to go to be dubbed the player of the tournament? Kinda feel like Vandersloot putting up 30 pts/10 assists/7 reb/4.5 steals per game in 2011 while leading her team to the Elite 8 would qualify, unless not getting to the Final 4 is a deal killer.

Osahor kinda has to share the honor w/ teammates Talia Walton and Kelsey Plum. They took turns going off that year.