Arizona's Aari McDonald Eager For Thursday's WNBA Draft To Begin

TUCSON, AZ — History will likely be made Thursday in Arizona college basketball guard Aari McDonald's Fresno living room.

That's because McDonald, who led the Wildcats to the school's first NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four appearance in 2021, will be one of 36 players picked in Thursday's WNBA draft.

The 2021 Pac-12 player of the year laid out her plans for Thursday's draft, which will take place virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more with members of the media Tuesday afternoon.

McDonald said she plans on watching Thursday's draft from her parent's Fresno house.
She also said she'll be thrilled to enter the league, joining the likes of her childhood heroes on the hardwood.

McDonald said there's an extra jolt of motivation because her expected rookie season in 2021 will be the WNBA's 25th, which she believes speaks to the league's longevity.

"Just to see how far the league has come, it’s crazy," McDonald said. "I’m really excited to join this league. This is a league with very talented women, very passionate women. They also speak up about topics that they’re really passionate about. And I’m really excited to join these women. They’re very talented, and I just can’t wait to compete with them."

McDonald expressed how happy she is that she decided to forgo entering the WNBA draft in 2020 as it allowed her to enjoy the team's remarkable run to the championship game of the 64-team NCAA tournament.

McDonald added that her decision to return for an extra season in 2021 was worthwhile from a personal perspective because it allowed her to earn her second degree in Tucson.

"Despite all that I’ve accomplished as a player, I think getting my masters degree is better than any accomplishment that I have," McDonald said. "Nobody can take that away from me. I worked extremely hard, so I’m really excited about that."

McDonald also reflected on likely being the highest-drafted Wildcat in school history. The honor means a lot to her, given the newfound heights to which she's seen head coach Adia Barnes take the program.

"This is a great program, and just for me to do that, it’s crazy," McDonald said. "And it lets upcoming players that are coming to Arizona or deciding on whether or not to come to Arizona, that you can do anything here. Just pretty much believe in yourself, believe in your teammates, believe in your coaches. I mean, I set the bar pretty high, but I want the younger ones in the program, people coming in, to outdo me."

The 2021 WNBA draft will take place at 4 p.m. Arizona time Thursday. ESPN will carry the draft in its entirety.