Former Arizona women’s basketball great Aari McDonald got the opportunity to show that she belonged in the WNBA when the Indiana Fever signed her to an emergency hardship contract in early June. She took advantage of that opportunity, endearing herself to both the front office and the fans.
The Fever had to waive McDonald when they returned to 10 healthy players after just three games. Under WNBA rules, they could not sign her again for at least 10 days. Those 10 days have passed, and the team has decided she’s what they need for the rest of the season.
Indiana made corresponding roster moves on Wednesday morning to bring McDonald back. They signed the guard to a deal while waiving veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, whom they brought in during the offseason.
we have signed Aari McDonald for the remainder of the season.
in a corresponding move, we have waived DeWanna Bonner.
more info: https://t.co/0s82LC8l31 pic.twitter.com/MTMWlGXI27
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 25, 2025
Many had wondered why another team didn’t pick McDonald up after the Fever waived her. There were several teams that needed a point guard, including the nearby Chicago Sky. There was speculation that McDonald was turning down other offers to wait for her clock with Indiana to run and the Fever to make the roster moves they had to make to bring her back. If that is true, she got the landing spot she wanted.
McDonald was drafted No. 3 by the Atlanta Dream in 2021. She spent three years with the franchise before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks before last season. The Sparks cut her during training camp this season, and she went into the season without a team. What was likely a stressful time is now over for the woman who led the Wildcats to their only Final Four.