Q&A: Aari McDonald talks 'prankster' Caitlin Clark, Commissioner's Cup win

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7 hours ago

Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald has been one of the team's biggest 2025 surprises.
After joining the Fever on a hardship exemption contract in early June, McDonald has shined and eventually earned a rest-of-season deal with the franchise.
FTW talked with McDonald for a feature story about how she and the Fever have been such a perfect fit for each other. However, we have even more intel from McDonald about playing with Indiana and her story."Every day, I still try to process this," McDonald said about her unexpected path to joining the Fever. "I'm in disbelief every day. Like, dang, everything happens fast... I'm happy, and I'm present. I want to be where my feet are and just enjoy everything that's come my way and just be myself and just try to make an impact on and off the court with [my Fever teammates]."
From playing with superstar guard Caitlin Clark to Indiana's surprise Commissioner's Cup victory over the Minnesota Lynx, let's dive in with McDonald on some takeaways we couldn't fit into our feature story.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Is there something about the way that you were raised -- maybe it was coaches you had growing up -- that helped you be able to navigate the spontaneity of being a professional athlete?
I've always been adaptable to any type of situation that I've been in, and I think that comes with maturity. Dating back, just, I went away for high school my last three years. I'm from Fresno, but I went to a private school from Stockton, and so, I finished my three years there... Just being away from my family, I think that helped me mature more and just be very adaptable to my situation and my environment. So, I mean, I feel like I always had that maturity growing up and just adapted to any situation.
Was there a certain player that you had growing up, maybe in college, high school, maybe when you first got to the W, that really was a mentor for you?
My rookie season [with the Atlanta Dream], Odyssey Sims took me under her wing, and I know that we didn't have the best season there, and I didn't have the best rookie season as well... [Odyssey] helped me keep my mental really right because it was hard, like you're coming from college where you're like the main player, and you just had a great senior year, and then, you come to the pros, and you're barely playing. You're not really on a good team. [We] just had so many coaching changes. [Odyssey] made it easy for me, and she made it fun, so I really do appreciate her for that.
What was the key to the Fever getting the Commissioner's Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx?
I think the key was our defense. When you look back, we held them to a season low I want to say, and then, we made things tough for [Napheesa Collier]. Coming in, Phee is number one on everyone's scouting report, [but] she wasn't efficient that game. So, I mean, that gives credit to our intentionality to the scouting details. We knew that coming in, Minnesota, they're a great team. [They're] disciplined. They run their sets with pace and a purpose, so I mean... we have to make it hard. Are we going to stop them every time? No, but we've got to make it and contain them. And, I think we did that, and on the other end, our defense dictated our offense. We did go through some lulls, but I think still we executed and got what we wanted.
What do you think the secret is to building team chemistry?
For one, just being selfless. I think that factors into the team chemistry. You just got to give more of yourself, and no egos... none of that. So, I feel like that's what we have [in Indiana]. There's no egos. Everyone wants to win. We're all competitive, and we all have one goal in the end. So, I mean, I think that's why we're clicking right now.
Have you enjoyed playing for Fever coach Stephanie White?
I have. Coach White, I haven't known her for that long. I played against her last year, but just coming in... she told me to be myself... being a coach and giving me that confidence that I've been needing and lacking throughout my career, I mean, that meant a lot to me, and so, that's why I'm able to go out there and just be myself and be more poised for the team.
How is it playing with Caitlin Clark?
It's been good. She's funny. I didn't know what to expect, me and her, or just being around her on her team. But, she's a great basketball player [and an] even better human being. I got to know her and just see how... on the court, it's all business, but off the court... she's funny, a little prankster. [She's] always cracking jokes. So, I mean, that's been good to see.
Was there something about your journey to joining the Fever that was a little surreal?
I think, for me, that moment when I was like, "Oh, this is surreal," when I checked in against D.C. for the first game, and just hearing like the fans are up. When I subbed in, I was like, "This is for me?" I got the chills, and then I was like, alright, let me snap out of it. Like, I've got to start playing. The environment, the fan experience, it's something that I've never experienced before. They are die hards, and they go hard for their team and their players.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Aari McDonald talks Caitlin Clark, Fever's Commissioner's Cup win