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Former Arizona star Aari McDonald to miss beginning of WNBA season
TL;DR
Aari McDonald, former Arizona women's basketball star and No. 3 WNBA draft pick, will miss the start of the 2026 WNBA season due to ongoing injury issues. She confirmed her intention to play in the season but is not ready for the beginning.
TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats alumni Aari McDonald after a women's basketball game between the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and the Arizona Wildcats on November 21, 2025, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Don’t be surprised if former No. 3 draft pick and Arizona women’s basketball star Aari McDonald isn’t active on a WNBA roster when the season starts. McDonald commented on social media this week that she would be playing in the 2026 season, but she would not be ready when it starts.
McDonald has battled injuries several times since turning pro, but she has fought to return at each juncture. Last season, she went into the year without a team when the LA Sparks cut her in training camp. She didn’t let it defeat her.
McDonald kept ready and she was eventually added to the Indiana Fever when that team suffered multiple injuries. She earned a rest-of-season contract and became a fan favorite. McDonald loved the team and the fans right back, commenting on how it was the happiest she’d been since joining the WNBA.
Then, it went south again. McDonald was injured in a game against Phoenix in August. The broken bone in her right foot put her on the sidelines after 20 games. She contributed 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists to the Fever’s efforts.
She intended to play for the Breeze in the 3×3 Unrivaled league during the WNBA offseason. She said it fit her recovery timeline while allowing her to stay in basketball shape.
She played just six minutes in one game before suffering another injury to a “lower extremity.” She did a podcast during the season, but she was unable to play.
The pandemic and a foot injury kept McDonald from leaving Arizona after the 2019-20 season. When the NCAA Tournament was cancelled, she opted to return to college. She led the team to the 2021 national title game where the Wildcats lost by one point to the Stanford Cardinal.
Q&A
Why is Aari McDonald missing the start of the WNBA season?
Aari McDonald is missing the start of the WNBA season due to ongoing injury issues that have affected her since turning pro.
What team did Aari McDonald play for before the 2026 season?
Before the 2026 season, Aari McDonald was cut by the LA Sparks during training camp last season.
When did Aari McDonald announce her plans to play in the 2026 WNBA season?
Aari McDonald announced her plans to play in the 2026 WNBA season on social media earlier this week.
