Celebrating Pac-12 women's hoops: Arizona legend Aari McDonald on staying West, Barnes' influence

The Pac-12 has stood out as one of the best women’s basketball leagues in the nation over the last two decades. This being the league’s final season in its current 12-team format — USC and Oregon State were the last Pac-12 teams standing before bowing out last weekend in the Elite Eight — the Star is sharing Pac-12-centered stories of former Arizona players, as well as former and current league coaches. Up this week: Wildcat legend and McKale Center Ring of Honor member Aari McDonald.

Three years ago this week, McDonald, arguably the best player in Wildcat history with her name sprinkled around Arizona, Pac-12 and national record books, led Arizona to the first Final Four in program history and a berth in the championship game of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

In three seasons as a Wildcat, she was a three-time Associated Press All-American, winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (given to the nation’s top shooting guard), Pac-12 Player of the Year, a two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-Pac-12 honoree. She was a six-time Pac-12 player of the week and an ESPNw and USBWA Player of the Week. In her first season at Arizona, she set a new mark for most points scored (890) in a single season — woman or man. In that same year, she was the first player in college basketball since Connecticut’s Maya Moore in 2000 to collect 800 points, 200 rebounds, 150 assists and 90 steals in one season. She is the only player in the Pac-12 to lead the league in scoring and steals for three consecutive seasons. She also scored in double figures in every game she played at Arizona (93).

She scored 2,041 points, picked 235 steals, dished 386 assists and pulled down 546 rebounds at Arizona. She was the third pick in the WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream — the highest a Wildcat has ever been selected; she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks this past offseason.

A special place: “What makes the Pac-12 so special is the rich history and the legends that have played (or) coached in the conference. It was important to me to play and compete in the Pac-12 because I felt that it had some of the best talent, if not the best. I wanted to be part of a Power 5 conference without leaving the West Coast.

“I take pride in saying that I played in the Pac or at Arizona because I can say that my teammates and myself have paved the way for players and stamped our names in record books.”

At home: “Combining my victories from Washington and Arizona, I (had already) beat every team but Stanford, so to beat them at home (at McKale Center) was a great feeling.

“There was never a moment where I felt like I’ve arrived because I’ve always had the confidence and a sense of belonging.”

Best of the West: “The toughest player to guard was (UCLA’s) Jordin Canada. It was always quick-on-quick, and at the time, she had the upper hand on me. (Editor’s note: In an ironic twist, McDonald was traded to the Sparks for Jordin Canada this WNBA offseason.)

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“The toughest teams to beat were Oregon and Stanford because they were talented at every position and played great as a team. Washington State was a tricky team as well because of their system and how they spread the floor. It felt great to finally beat these teams, but I would have loved to beat Oregon before their three stars (Sabrina Ionescu, Ruthy Hebard and Satou Sabally) turned pro.

“A moment that I knew we were going to go far (in the NCAA Tournament) was beating BYU and Indiana.

“My top three games as a Wildcat are Texas (2019 upset), Northwestern (WNIT Championship) and UConn (2021 Final Four).”

Best teammates: “Some of my top teammates would have to be Chantel Osahor, Kelsey Plum, Jenna Moser and Kelli Kingma (Porter) from Washington. Regarding Arizona, some of my favorite teammates would have to be Tee Tee Starks, Amari Carter, Trinity Baptiste and Lindsay Malecha.

“The list can go on, but I chose these ladies not because of their athletic abilities but because of their character and how they treated other teammates. My definition of a great teammate is an individual that is reliable, honest, a relationship builder, encouraging, a hard worker, and know what it’s like to sacrifice.”

Legend to legend: “It was great playing under coach Adia (Barnes), who paved the way for us and created history at the same school I was attending. She had a great pro career and has walked through a lot of doors that I’m still trying to walk through. So, just hearing her give advice, I made sure to listen and apply because she’s been there, done that.

“Seeing her picture (on the wall) in RJ (the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium practice facility) made me want to go harder and be better so that I can get my picture in RJ, get my jersey retired, along with receiving many accolades.

“Adia being relatable as a player and being a people person made me want to play for her. (UA assistant) Salvo (Coppa) and Adia played a part in my growth because they challenged me and held me accountable, knowing my end goals and the want to reach the next level.”