In the heart of the 2025 basketball season, the McConnell family name continues to shine brightly across both NBA and WNBA courts. While T.J. McConnell, the tenacious guard for the Indiana Pacers, has been making waves by leading his team to the NBA Finals, his younger sister, Megan McConnell, is steadily carving out her own promising path in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury.
The McConnell basketball legacy runs deep. Megan’s basketball roots are firmly planted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she grew up immersed in a family steeped in hoops excellence. Her father, Tim McConnell, is a revered high school coach in Pennsylvania, known for his leadership and commitment to the sport. But perhaps the most illustrious figure in the family is Megan’s aunt, Suzie McConnell-Serio, an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA standout who was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. With such a pedigree, basketball wasn’t just a pastime for Megan—it was a calling.
Yet Megan McConnell’s rise to professional basketball didn’t come solely from family ties. She earned every inch of her reputation through relentless hard work and undeniable talent. Standing at 5-foot-7, she defied expectations during her five-year collegiate career at Duquesne University, where she became a statistical powerhouse and a cultural cornerstone for the Dukes. Megan finished second all-time in school history with an astonishing 1,795 points. She also shattered school records with 660 assists, 370 steals, and 1,079 rebounds—numbers that speak volumes about her versatility and tenacity on the court.
Her accolades only add to the impressive resume. Megan recorded four triple-doubles, earned the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award, and was a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic honoree. Her impact extended beyond statistics; she was the engine of her team, the voice in the locker room, and the player who dove for every loose ball. Such qualities made her a coach’s dream and a fan favorite at Duquesne.
Despite her college success, Megan went undrafted in the WNBA, a common hurdle for many talented players. However, her determination led her to sign as a free agent, eventually earning a rest-of-season contract with the Phoenix Mercury in June 2025. This marked her second stint with the Mercury after an impressive showing in training camp earlier that year. The timing of her signing coincided with a high point for her brother T.J., who had just helped the Indiana Pacers secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
Sportswriter Mike White captured the moment perfectly on social media, stating, “Another chapter to the McConnell family story. It just keeps going. Last night, T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers earned a spot in the NBA Finals. This morning, T.J.’s sister, Megan, signed with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.” This tweet underscored the unique dual spotlight shining on the McConnell siblings during this thrilling basketball season.
Megan wasted no time making her WNBA debut. In a game against the Minnesota Lynx, she stepped onto the court and made an immediate impact off the bench. She scored 3 points and dished out 3 assists, shooting an efficient 50% from beyond the arc. It was a declaration that she belonged at this level, showcasing her skill and composure in a highly competitive environment.
Unfortunately, fate dealt a cruel hand when Megan suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter of that debut game. The injury cut short what could have been an extended run on the court, putting a temporary pause on her momentum. Yet, if the McConnell family’s history teaches anything, it’s resilience. The Phoenix Mercury’s decision to keep Megan in the mix despite her injury speaks volumes about their belief in her potential and character.
Even while sidelined, Megan’s presence was felt. On June 5, 2025, she was spotted wearing her brother T.J.’s Indiana Pacers jersey on the Mercury sideline during a game against the Golden State Valkyries at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The image of Megan donning her brother’s jersey was a symbolic nod to the strong family bond and shared basketball journey. It also served as a reminder that the McConnells are a basketball family through and through.
Meanwhile, T.J. McConnell continues to impress in the NBA Finals. Through the first two games, he has averaged 10.5 points and 3 assists in just 16 minutes per game, proving to be a vital contributor off the bench for the Pacers. His gritty playstyle and leadership have made him a fan favorite and a key figure in Indiana’s playoff run.
With the Phoenix Mercury’s next game scheduled for June 15, 2025, after a brief break following their June 11 contest, there’s hope that Megan’s knee will heal sufficiently for her to return to action. The timing also opens the possibility for her to be present at Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, potentially supporting her brother from the stands—a fitting scene for a family so intertwined with basketball success.
Megan McConnell’s journey is emblematic of perseverance and passion. She’s not merely “T.J. McConnell’s sister.” She’s a professional athlete in her own right, a Pittsburgh success story, and a player with the potential to become a WNBA fan favorite. Her debut may have been brief, but the spark she ignited was unmistakable. If the McConnell DNA is any indication, Megan will bounce back stronger, continuing to write her own compelling basketball story.
As the basketball world watches the unfolding drama of the NBA Finals and the WNBA season, the McConnell siblings stand as shining examples of dedication and family legacy in professional sports. Whether on the court or from the sidelines, the McConnells are proving that their name carries weight—and that the best chapters of their story are yet to come.
