Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Who Is Aari McDonald, the Newly Signing Guard for Indiana Fever on WNBA Emergency Hardship Contract?

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Aari McDonald has carved out a notable career in the WNBA as she has showcased her dynamic skills playing for the Atlanta Dream for three seasons and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. She signed a three-year $220K rookie contract with the Dream, however, after the contract expired she went on to sign a one-year deal with the L.A. Sparks in 2024.

Playing for the Dream, she averaged 6.3 points, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds per game, and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting, earning WNBA All-Rookie Team honors. She improved in 2022, posting 11.1 points on 41.1 percent shooting from the field. However, since 2022, McDonald’s numbers took a hit and she averaged 7.9 points and 8.7 points in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Internationally, in August 2024, McDonald signed with the Perth Lynx in Australia for the 2023-24 season after failing to make the final roster with the Los Angeles Sparks. She led the WNBL with 19.8 points, and earned All-WNBL Second Team honors.

Also Read: When will Caitlin Clark be back to WNBA ? When will Caitlin Clark be back to Indiana Fever?

Why Are the Indiana Fever Signing Her?

Aari McDonald joined the Indiana Fever via an emergency hardship contract, stepping in because of injuries to the Fever’s key guards including Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. Clark is currently dealing with an injury to her quads which will keep her out for at least two weeks, and Cunningham is dealing with a right ankle injury and she looked to be in a lot of pain recently.

we have signed Aari McDonald via emergency hardship exception.

welcome to Indy, Aari 👋

more info: https://t.co/w4mpT6JOSy pic.twitter.com/MXynOzsa2s
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 2, 2025

What Draft Pick Was Aari McDonald and When Was She Drafted?

Aari McDonald was drafted by the Atlanta Dream as the third overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft.

What is Hardship Contract in WNBA?

Aari McDonald was signed as by the Indiana Fever through an emergency hardship contract. This contract allows the Fever to fill the required number of minimum players on a short-term basis. Since their Fever are currently lacking players due to injuries, signing McDonald was a no-brainer.

Aari McDonald tonight — ELECTRIC ⚡️

• 23 points
• 5 rebounds
• 2 steals

pic.twitter.com/pKQS9RCxGg
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) July 6, 2024

Also Read: Caitlin Clark Suing ESPN? Caitlin Clark and ESPN’s Ongoing Dispute Explained

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Aari McDonald

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.