TJ McConnell’s Family Celebrates Major Win after Undrafted Sister Signs with Phoenix Mercury

Megan McConnell follows her brother and Indiana Pacers star TJ McConnell's footsteps of getting into the league despite going undrafted.

TJ McConnell’s Family Celebrates Major Win after Undrafted Sister Signs with Phoenix Mercury

Megan McConnell and her brother and Indiana Pacers star TJ McConnell (Image via FirstSportz)

Indiana Pacers guard TJ McConnell is about to play in his first NBA Finals. It is a surreal moment for the undrafted star who, at one point, did not know if he had a future in the NBA. His sister, Megan McConnell, had a similar dilemma after the Phoenix Mercury cut her from their training camp roster.

McConnell came off a season where she averaged 18.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Duquesne Dukes. However, her most notable stat was the 138 steals she racked up at an average of 4.1 per game. That was the most of any player in the 2024-25 NCAA Women’s Division 1 season.

Those numbers, however, were not enough to see her name called in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Just like her older brother, Megan McConnell did not know if she had a future in basketball in this country. However, the Mercury sent out a training camp invite.

Considering how their team was stacked, they decided to waive her, and the Pittsburgh native was again without a job. After 7 games, the Mercury brought her back and handed her a contract for the rest of the season.

Battling through adversity is part of Megan McConnell’s family motto

Megan McConnell signing with the Phoenix Mercury was massive news amongst the media and WNBA fans. After her signing, one of her answers to a reporter’s question from training camp started going viral. There, she explained how she was following in the footsteps of her brother, TJ McConnell.

We have this mindset and this motto of proving people wrong. Undrafted, drafted, it doesn’t matter. Just go in and just keep proving wrong. Work hard and leave it all out there. That’s what he did, and that’s what I’m trying to do.

Megan McConnell said to reporters

Now, she has managed to get herself a contract just like her brother did after he went undrafted. McConnell, though, is not a surefire option to continue on this roster for the entire season. She landed the contract after Sevgi Uzun decided to leave the WNBA and play in the Euro League.

The Mercury will need to cut one player as the season progresses. This means Megan McConnell will have time until either Kahleah Copper or Alyssa Thomas returns to action in order to cement a place on the team.

Megan McConnell will need to fight to stay with Mercury

Megan McConnell is the second backup point guard for the Phoenix Mercury. Since point forward Alyssa Thomas is out injured, the rookie managed to get some decent minutes in her WNBA debut. The game against the high-flying Minnesota Lynx was not easy, and she managed to score her first points.

TJ McConnell with his sister Megan McConnell when she was at Duquesne
TJ McConnell with his sister Megan McConnell when she was at Duquesne (Image via Duquesne Women’s Baskebtall/X)

It might not be much, but for her to keep her job, the Duquesne alum needs to show that she is good enough to stay on the roster. She will need to resort to her scoring and defense to make her case to remain on this roster.

If she does end up getting cut, she could look at one of her teammates for inspiration. Fellow rookie Lexi Held has been one of the better bench players this season. Held did not come in directly from college. After losing out on a training camp contract back in 2022, the DePaul star could not find another job in the WNBA.

She then travelled the world, playing in various leagues, perfecting her game. After playing professionally for three years, she finally got a training camp invite and cemented her spot. Megan McConnell could do the same if needed and continue their family tradition of playing professionally in America.

Also Read: