The last chapter of Aari McDonald's storied career at Arizona was written Thursday, when the Atlanta Dream selected the formerΒ UA women's basketball star third overall in the WNBA Draft.
McDonald, a speedy guard, becomes the first Wildcat in program history picked in the first round and the school's first draft pick since 2013, when Davellyn Whyte was taken by the San Antonio Silver Stars.
"I'm ready to work," McDonald told ESPN shortly after being drafted.
The Wildcats weren't done. UA forward Trinity Baptiste was taken by the Indiana Fever in the second round, the 24th overall pick.
McDonald led the Wildcats through a remarkable postseason run in the NCAA Tournament, winning five straight games before falling to Stanford in the national championship game.
Aari McDonald (center) celebrates with her family after getting drafted by the Atlanta Dream third overall in the WNBA Draft.
McDonald cemented her status as a first-round lock during the tournament, averaging 24.8 points per game while shooting 51 of 108 (47%) from the field and 22 of 46 (48%) from 3-point range.
The Pac-12 Player of the Year led UA to its first Final Four and national championship appearance in school history. Baptiste, like McDonald, increased her stock during the NCAA Tournament, averaging 9.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
McDonald traveled back to her hometown in Fresno, California to be with family for the draft after spending the week training in Tucson and meeting with WNBA teamsΒ virtually.Β
McDonald joins a team in Atlanta that went 7-15 in the 2020 season, though the franchise has made the playoffs nine times since being founded in 2008.Β
The 25th WNBA season in league history starts May 14.
