From WPIAL dominance to the WNBA, TJ McConnell’s sister Megan proves she’s a star in her own right.
Timothy John “TJ” McConnell Jr. has established himself as one of the NBA’s most reliable point guards through sheer determination and basketball intelligence.
The Pittsburgh native carved out his professional career despite going undrafted in 2015, joining the Philadelphia 76ers and later finding his home with the Indiana Pacers in 2019.
McConnell’s journey began at Chartiers Valley High School, where he played under his father Tim’s coaching, averaging an impressive 34.2 points per game as a senior.
He continued his collegiate career at Duquesne University before transferring to Arizona, where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
His NBA career reached new heights when he broke the league record for most steals in a half with nine steals in 2021.
McConnell has consistently proven his worth as a backup point guard, signing a four-year, $45 million extension with the Pacers in 2024. His defensive prowess, court vision, and leadership have made him an invaluable asset to Indiana’s championship aspirations.
TJ McConnell’s Sister Dominates The Basketball Court
While TJ McConnell commands attention on NBA courts, his younger sister Megan McConnell has blazed her own trail in women’s basketball, establishing herself as one of the most dominant players in Duquesne University history.
The McConnell siblings share more than just DNA – they possess an unwavering commitment to basketball excellence that has propelled both to professional success.
Megan McConnell’s basketball journey began at the same institution where her brother first made his mark: Chartiers Valley High School.
Under the guidance of their father, Tim McConnell, one of Western Pennsylvania’s most successful coaches, Megan achieved unprecedented success.
She earned Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State recognition in all four years of her high school career, a rare accomplishment that highlighted her consistent excellence.
Her junior and senior seasons proved particularly remarkable, as she received Class 5A first-team all-state honors both years.
Megan led Chartiers Valley to an extraordinary 57-game winning streak to close her career, setting a WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) record.
The pinnacle of her high school career came during her junior year when she guided the Colts to a perfect 30-0 season, culminating in both WPIAL and PIAA state championships.
Playing under her father’s coaching created a unique dynamic that proved incredibly successful.
Tim McConnell’s expertise in developing basketball talent became evident through both his children’s achievements.
Megan finished her high school career with 1,521 points while maintaining impressive averages across multiple statistical categories throughout her four years.
When college recruitment arrived, Megan McConnell chose to stay close to home, joining Duquesne University’s women’s basketball program.
This decision would prove transformative both for her personal development and the university’s basketball history.
Over five seasons with the Dukes, Megan systematically rewrote nearly every significant record in program history.
Her statistical dominance tells the story of a player who impacted every aspect of the game.
She ranks second in program history with 1,795 career points and 1,079 rebounds.
Her four career triple-doubles represent another program record, showcasing her versatility and all-around impact.
Her senior season proved particularly spectacular, as she led the Atlantic 10 in multiple categories, including points per game (18.4), total points (626), assists per game (5.0), and steals per game (4.1).
Nationally, she ranked first in NCAA Division I in total steals (138) and second in steals per game, establishing herself as one of college basketball’s most disruptive defensive forces.
Following her record-breaking collegiate career, Megan McConnell entered the 2025 WNBA Draft with legitimate professional aspirations.
Although she went undrafted, the Phoenix Mercury recognized her potential and extended a training camp invitation.
Her impressive showing during camp earned her a contract for the remainder of the 2025 season, signed on June 1, 2025.
Megan made her WNBA debut on June 3, 2025, immediately demonstrating the skills that made her a collegiate standout.
Unfortunately, she suffered a right knee injury in the fourth quarter of that debut game, requiring a 3-4 week recovery period.
The timing of her injury created an unexpected opportunity for family support, as her brother TJ and the Indiana Pacers were competing in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This coincidence allowed Megan to support her brother during his biggest professional moment while recovering from her own setback.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- TJ McConnell married his high school sweetheart, Valerie, at Holy Child Parish (now Corpus Christi Parish) in September 2017, with his teammate Nik Stauskas and college roommate Gino Palmosina serving as groomsmen.
- On December 18, 2024, McConnell became the 34th Arizona Wildcat to have his name inducted into the Arizona Basketball Ring of Honor, achieving this honor by playing 10 years in the NBA.
- TJ shares a notable distinction with his brother Matthew as the only two players in Chartiers Valley High School basketball history to score over 2,000 points in their high school careers.
