Adia Barnes has been adding players to the Arizona Wildcats’ roster, seemingly by the day.
Thursday, she did it again.
Washington guard Aarion McDonald is transferring to the UA, the school announced. McDonald put up some big numbers as a freshman last season, even after sitting out the first seven games due to a back injury. She averaged 9.8 points per game, and scored in double-figures 12 times. Had she stayed, McDonald would have been the Huskies’ leading returning scorer.
McDonald said she was looking at schools close to her Fresno, California hometown. She chose the UA for a number of reasons, the biggest being her relationships with Barnes and UA assistant Morgan Valley. Both previously coached at Washington.
McDonald will sit out this season and have three years of eligibility left starting with the 2018-19 season. Washington athletic director Jen Cohen granted McDonald’s release.
“Relationships are very important to me,” McDonald said. “My relationship with coach Adia and Coach Valley are strong. I’ve been following Arizona and they are building something great. I want to be a part of that. I also have family in Arizona and they have my major, early childhood development.”
McDonald joins three other transfers on the UA roster. Kat Wright and Tee Tee Starks joined the UA this spring from Florida Atlantic and Iowa State, respectively. Dominque McBryde announced earlier this week that she will transfer to Arizona from Purdue.
Arizona has also received verbal commitments from a pair of five-star players: Cate Reese and Valeria Trucco.
Barnes said Thursday that McDonald’s addition is a game-changer. The 5-foot-7-inch guard has played in the Pac-12 and has postseason experience. She played alongside Kelsey Plum and Chantel Osahor on a UW team that made a run to the Sweet Sixteen last season.
McDonald averaged 13.7 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, and her defensive skills were often overlooked, Barnes said. McDonald was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week twice last season, and was a member of the Pac-12’s all-freshman team. This spring, McDonald was one of 32 players invited to try out for the USA Basketball Women’s U19 World Cup Team.
“The addition of Aari to our program is huge,” Barnes said. “She is one of the top guards in the country, (has) proven she is one of the top guards in the Pac-12 and played with two of the greats in the game last year. What I love about her is she is a great player and a great person.
McDonald spent part of Thursday driving to Tucson. She described herself as “so excited” to get started.
“I can’t wait to meet the girls,” she said. “I am ready to have fun with the new team and new coaches.”
McDonald is familiar with McKale Center. She was the second-leading scorer when Washington beat the UA on Jan. 13 in Tucson. That night, Plum became the first woman in Pac-12 history, men’s or women’s, to score 3,000 career points. Plum finished with 36 points. McDonald added 16 points on four 3-pointers.
“I do remember that game,” said McDonald. “I was watching that film the other night. I played OK. … It was a quiet night and not one of my best. I definitely have more.
“I want the fans to know that I will do my best to bring championships to UA. I am a hard worker and I am humble. I am ready to turn the program around when I can play.”
Coming out of high school, McDonald rated a four-star player and the No. 55 player in the country by ESPN, while prospectsnation.com named her the seventh-best guard prospect available. MaxPreps named her the California Division IV Player of the Year following her senior season. As a junior, McDonald she posted six triple-doubles and one quadruple-double.
“She is the total-package kid,” said Barnes. “She works hard and has so many parts of her game that are not discovered yet. She will flourish here. She will directly impact our team on and off the court. She was mentored by Kelsey Plum who took her under her wing. And she will bring along our young players.
“I have known Aari for a long time. She is the type of player you want to build a championship culture around. I am so happy she will be part of what we are building here.”
