Aari McDonald, a WNBA star who previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks, has recently made headlines by signing with the Indiana Fever.
On June 2, 2025, the Indiana Fever announced the signing of guard Aari McDonald via emergency hardship exception.
The exception permits any WNBA team to sign a player immediately if, at any point during the season, the team has fewer than 10 game-eligible players available.
With Caitlin Clark out due to a left quadriceps strain and both Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson also sidelined, the Indiana Fever were left with only two healthy point guards, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, which led to the signing of Aari McDonald.
"When I got the call I was very excited, very blessed," said McDonald on Monday. "It's a humbling experience to join a team like the Fever, and I'm excited, ready to compete and just win."
As soon as Aari McDonald joined the team, she helped lead the Indiana Fever to an 85–76 victory over the Washington Mystics in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, contributing 7 pivotal points, one rebound, and five assists.
Furthermore, with her recent victory, Aari McDonald not only made her parents, family, and fans proud but also captured the attention of many who are curious to learn more about her personal life, including her family background and ethnicity.
The WNBA star Aari McDonald was born Aarion Shawnae McDonald on August 20, 1998, in Fresno, California, as the youngest of six children to parents Aaron Sean and Andrea McDonald.
While Aari McDonald hasn’t shared any information about her ethnicity, she comes from a family with an athletic background, with both her parents, Aaron and Andrea, being former athletes.
Aari McDonald’s Mother, Andrea McDonald, Is A Former High School Basketball Star
Andrea McDonald is not just an amazing mother to Aari McDonald, but also is her first basketball coach.
Andrea McDonald, who showcased her amazing basketball skills playing for the high school’s girls’ basketball team, first noticed her daughter’s interest in ball during family pickup games at Aari’s grandparents’ driveway.
When Aari was only a few months old, Andrea would place her in a baby bouncer while playing basketball.
"Wherever that orange ball was, that's where she was looking, If you didn't have the ball, you were of no importance to her," said Andrea McDonald in an interview.
Furthermore, seeing her daughter Aari’s interest in sports, just like her own, Andrea decided to guide and support her in her sports journey from a very young age.
Andrea brought the then 7-year-old Aari onboard with her Amateur Athletic Union team for children 10 and under, where she was the youngest player on the court.
Aari McDonald shared that her mother, Andrea, was very strict during her games, but Andrea explained that she was ensuring her daughter made those baskets.
Likewise, Aari McDonald often expresses her love and appreciation to her mother, Andrea, and credits her mother for her confidence.
“Every game, throughout my whole career, my mom has always told me to be feisty competitor and leave everything out on the floor, Me being small, I had to do things that other players didn’t want to do, whether that was diving on the floor for loose balls or taking charges.”
Via NY Times
While very little is known about Andrea McDonald’s current profession, she previously served as the campus security manager at Washington Unified School District in Fresno, California.
Aari McDonald’s Father, Aaron Sean McDonald, Is a Bakersfield High School Hall of Famer
Like her mother, Andrea McDonald, Aari McDonald’s father, Aaron Sean McDonald, also showcased his amazing athletic skills playing football at high school and college.
Furthermore, Aaron Sean McDonald, who began his sports journey from a very young age, played football at Bakersfield High School, leading his team to several victories.
Aaron played tailback and running back all four years (1987-1991) at BHS and won several awards as a Driller.
He was the All-Area Player of the Year, SYL Player of the Year, Northern California Player of the Year, Second Team All-State, Bakersfield Californian’s Back of the Year, and was selected to the North/South Shrine Game.
Similarly, he scored five touchdowns in a single game, recorded four 200-plus yard games, rushed for 300 yards in a game, and was on an undefeated BHS team his senior year, winning three section titles in a row (1988, 1989, and 1990).
After graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1991, Aaron McDonald continued his football journey, attending Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, California, for two years, where he was a First Team Western State Conference running back.
Moreover, Aaron was inducted into the 13th Annual Driller Football Hall of Fame at Bakersfield High School in 2018.
Although Aaron Sean McDonald hasn’t shared much about his current profession, he once won the hearts of many with his impressive athletic skills and inspired his daughter, Aari McDonald, to pursue a career in sports with passion and dedication.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Aari McDonald’s elder brother, Tre’Von Willis, played basketball at the University of Nevada, leading his team in several victories. He also played for the University of Memphis and Washington Union High School.
- She tied the knot with former Arizona defensive back Devon Brewer on September 23, 2021.
