Megan McConnell’s unexpected call leads to Fever opportunity — and a family reunion
After a rookie season cut short by injury, McConnell returns healthy, leans on her brother T.J., and competes for a roster spot with the Indiana Fever.
Megan McConnell was past the halfway point of her drive home to Pittsburgh when her phone rang.
It was the Indiana Fever. They wanted to sign her to a training camp deal.
She had no expectation of hearing from the Fever. She had talked with her agent about a few teams — but the list did not include the WNBA’s most popular team.
Ironically, McConnell’s drive began in Indiana. Having recently returned from playing overseas in Australia, she was in town visiting her oldest brother, T.J., and his family. He’s now the longest-tenured Pacer — beloved for his relentless play, team-first mindset, and willingness to do whatever it takes.
“He’s been my biggest rock these past two weeks,” Megan said of T.J. “I am so grateful that he’s in Indiana. He’s just helping me find my way.
“He texts me every single day, asks me if I need anything. And when I need emotional support or advice, I feel like he’s been through so much and is living proof of a lot of things. So his advice is what I value most because I’ve always looked up to him.”
Megan was heading home to Pittsburgh, but soon she would be returning to the city her brother has called home — and signed multiple NBA contracts — since 2019.
“He didn’t believe me,” Megan said of telling T.J., laughing. “He was like, ‘Are you serious?’ And I was like, yeah. So it was just super awesome, and he was super happy for me.
“When I got told that I was coming here, I couldn’t believe it, honestly.”
Rookie Season Cut Short
McConnell enters her second season as a pro. She impressed WNBA evaluators one year ago at the Lilly Women’s College All-Star Game, held during Women’s Final Four weekend in Tampa.
The 24-year-old guard then went undrafted but received a training camp invite — sound familiar? — from the Phoenix Mercury. She was waived, then brought back a month later.
McConnell made her WNBA debut on June 3 against the Minnesota Lynx. She knocked down a 3-pointer and recorded three assists and one steal before suffering a serious injury: a tibial plateau fracture in her right knee.
After five years of injury-free basketball at Duquesne — including earning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in her final season — this was all new for her.
“You work so hard to make it to the WNBA and in my first game, I fractured my knee, unfortunately,” she said. “But I just believe that everything happens for a reason. And I’m super grateful just to be back on my feet and get a training camp here.”
She’s fully healthy now after a successful recovery.
“Rehab was hard,” she admitted.
That was her focus for three months. Then, she signed to play overseas in Australia with the Bendigo Spirit — an opportunity to play again and feel like herself. McConnell averaged 11.2 points, 3.9 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The team reached the final four.
“It was awesome,” she said of her first overseas experience. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better. My teammates and coaches welcomed me with open arms. I could literally call that place a second home, even though it was 10,000 miles away. The people there were amazing. And for my first year, I did not know what to expect at all.
“I think I adjusted well and I grew a lot from going over there — personally and as a basketball player, so I’m really grateful for Australia.”
In mid-April, she returned to Indianapolis to begin her second professional season.
“I’m super grateful for the organization for giving me a chance and believing in my capabilities,” she said.
The Fever are coming off an unusual 2025 season, derailed by injuries, yet still pushed the Las Vegas Aces to a decisive Game 5 in the semifinals.
With that in mind, guard depth was a priority entering camp. The Fever selected defensive standout Raven Johnson, who spent five years at South Carolina and reached the Final Four each season, with their first-round pick.
The backcourt already features two All-Stars: Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.
“Coming here and having the talent that this team has, it’s been so surreal,” said McConnell. “And I’ve watched Caitlin Clark for her whole college career, so to be on the same floor as her and learn from her has been amazing.”
With the McConnells — both T.J. and Megan — you know what you’re getting every night: a high motor, relentless mindset, unselfishness, and excellent court vision.
Megan did not score in the Fever’s preseason finale, but she finished with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She handled the ball, attacked the rim, and found open teammates.
“She’s a great person,” said guard Lexie Hull. “She brings a lot of energy. She’s aggressive on the defensive end. I think she’s done a really good job being vocal at the point guard position. I’ve been impressed with her for sure, and she’s definitely fun to be around.
A Family Built on Basketball
When Megan called T.J. about the opportunity in the city where he has signed three NBA contracts and built a family, he offered simple advice — the same approach that’s defined his career. Next season will be his 12th in the NBA.
“Outwork people, just be me, and everything will work itself out,” Megan said.
The McConnells are a basketball family. Their life revolves around it.
Their father, Tim, was a highly successful high school coach. Aunt Suzie McConnell-Serio played in the WNBA for the Cleveland Rockers and later coached the Minnesota Lynx. Kathy McConnell-Miller is a women’s college coach, and uncle Michael McConnell is a college basketball official.
All three siblings — T.J., Matty, and Megan — earned college scholarships. Now, two are playing professionally in Indianapolis.
Before his first NBA Finals appearance last June, T.J. arrived at the arena in Oklahoma City wearing Megan’s No. 16 Phoenix Mercury jersey.
“I love my sister dearly,” he told me during the Finals. “I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished. So when she made the team, I was at a loss for words, almost cried.”
A few days later, Megan returned the gesture, arriving in his No. 9 Pacers jersey.
“We just have this grittiness to us,” Megan said. “Just this never-quit mentality and outworking people. And I think that’s how he’s made 10 years in the league, and that’s what I’m trying to start to do. That’s just what it’s all about.”
Megan credits her defensive edge to growing up with two older brothers.
“We would be outside and they wouldn’t take it easy on me,” she recalled. “So I think just watching them in the gym and just seeing how they play defense and seeing T.J. pick up 94 feet, he was a great role model for me and I just tried to follow in his footsteps.”
Coaching is in the DNA
T.J. has already expressed interest in coaching after his playing career. Megan sees a similar path for herself.
“I definitely think I wanna get into coaching after I’m done playing,” she said.
During her time at Duquesne — including playing alongside her cousin Kellie in her senior season — McConnell realized how much she wanted to stay connected to the game long-term.
“It came down to having to pick a major and I really want to get into coaching because I don’t want to walk away from the game of basketball no matter where my professional life takes me,” she said. “I graduated with my education degree, so I could be a teacher if I wanted to. But I definitely think I’d rather go into coaching.”
It’s in her blood — she grew up watching her dad do it for so long.
Now, when she watches games, she sees everything. Decisions race through her mind in real-time.
“When I watch basketball games, I watch it in a different aspect,” she explained. “And so I think that’s where it’s like, I would have done this instead of this. Or if I’m examining a practice on the sidelines, I’m always thinking — and I feel like that’s what a coach does. So it’s just like it feels right.”
She has former WNBA players to learn from daily in head coach Stephanie White and assistant Briann January, a five-time WNBA All-Defensive First Team selection, and Karima Christmas-Kelly.
All three played for the Fever.
Now out of college, McConnell’s coaching family has shifted into a more supportive role.
“My dad’s definitely taken more of a supportive dad role,” she said, smiling. “And my aunts and uncles, I think they’re all just very supportive. They love seeing me do what I love so it’s really nice to have that support.”
Competing Every Day
McConnell didn’t know what to expect entering camp, but she’s been one of the first players on the court each day — staying ready for when her name is called.
The Fever played two exhibition games in three days at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a building McConnell has visited often over the past several years — including for playoff games.
This time, the roles were reversed. Megan played while T.J. watched from the stands.
“I know that the fans are great and I’m super excited to get to be able to play in front of the best fans in the league,” she said.
She’s spent time getting shots up with rookie Justine Pissott, a second-round pick out of Vanderbilt. The two connected through mutual friends, and McConnell is happy to provide guidance — just as she was learning herself one year ago.
There were 17 players in camp, with cuts looming ahead of opening day. One player development spot remains available, likely for a combo guard.
White has been impressed with how the guards have pushed each other in camp.
“I think they’re tough,” White said of the guards. “I think they know how to play. They get the ball moving, they attack, they’re not afraid of the moment. In practice every day, they’ve been battling.
Added McConnell: “It is super fun, everyone’s just super helpful. I think that’s the biggest thing. No one feels lost or confused because you have great vets on this team. And then just all the rookies sticking together and helping one another. It doesn’t really feel like a competition, everyone’s wonderful.”
Making a WNBA roster isn’t easy — it’s the most competitive women’s basketball league in the world. It does help, however, that there were 54 spots added this season with two expansion franchises (24) and two player development positions per team (30).
McConnell is taking it day by day, following the same formula that’s helped her brother carve out a long career: work hard, be a great teammate, and do what you do best.
“I’m super excited for this opportunity that I’m able to play for the Indiana Fever,” she said. “My brother being here, it’s just very full circle and it gives me a sense of home. So I’m super happy.”
The unexpected call changed her direction. Now, in Indiana, McConnell is trying to make it last.
Seems like whenever there’s a nice feature story on a player in preseason camp they get released. Sorry at this point. Maybe something will open up soon.
Thank you for this feature about Megan. I very much hope she gets that second development slot, partly because of how amazing it would be to have her and TJ both here. But also it seems to me that she has the most upside of the three players, for the reasons you outlined. I wish we could keep all three!