“I’m just happy that the world is finally noticing what I can do. I’m a two-way player, and it’s not a one-man show.” Aari McDonald dazzled the professional hardwood and cooked up a storm the moment she set foot on the professional hardwood. Now signed by the Indiana Fever under the league’s immediate hardship exception rule, this 2021 overall number three pick is a promising addition to the Fever’s roster after the team lost two of their prolific players in Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, after they succumbed to injuries.

McDonald had a fantastic run in the Los Angeles Sparks last season and is an efficient player in the league whose swiftness, versatility, and defensive prowess have not gone unnoticed. In fact, even Fever head coach Stephanie White admired the athlete and said, “I’ve always been impressed with her defensive activity.” And while we are aware of the player’s on-court achievements, let us take a look at her early life- her parents, supporters, and people who shaped her into the player that we know today.

Who are Aari McDonald’s parents?

Aari McDonald was born on August 20, 1998, in the quiet city of Fresno, California, to Andrea and Aaron McDonald. While her mother, Andrea, played basketball at the high school level, her father, Aaron, represented his college in basketball. Coming from a strong basketball background, Aari was fascinated with the sport ever since she was a few months old.

“Wherever that orange ball was, that’s where she was looking,” Andrea McDonald said. “If you didn’t have the ball, you were of no importance to her.” Andrea would often set Aari in a baby bouncer, where she would play with the basketball.

Being the youngest of six siblings, Aari’s passion for the sport was discovered by her mother. Andrea noticed her daughter’s skills for the sport during one of the children’s usual pick-up games in their grandparents’ driveway. And instead of dismissing it as a one-time thing like most parents do, Andrea was instrumental in persuading her daughter to adopt the sport as her career.

Growing up in a strong basketball household that fostered a sportsman spirit and a level of competitiveness, Aari was influenced by her older siblings as well. Her brother Tre’von Willis represented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in basketball, whereas her sister-in-law, Erica Helms, also played basketball at UNLV. Moreover, Verenique Warren, a cousin of McDonald’s, played basketball at Jackson State University.

While we do not have any more information regarding the career of her parents, what we do know is that Andrea donned the hat of her then-seven-year-old daughter’s first coach and taught her the nuances of the sport. She introduced her daughter to the Amateur Athletic Union team for kids. And then there was no looking back for the five-feet-six player.

What is the ethnicity of Aari McDonald’s parents? 

While Aari McDonald is an American National, neither she nor her parents have publicly disclosed this. And while she is listed as African-American on some online platforms, certain websites claim that the athlete belongs to a mixed ethnicity. However, there are no verifiable sources to confirm or deny her racial ethnicity or provide authentic data regarding the ethnicity of her parents.

Inside Aari McDonald’s Relationship with her Parents

“We’re very proud of her. She’s a special daughter and I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Aaron McDonald said about his daughter. Aari McDonald shares a close relationship with her parents. While her father ensures his presence in every game, he also acts as a cheerleader and guide to his daughter. He even tuned in to one of her games, wearing a shirt with his daughter’s photograph, the words “Aari“, and a red heart beside it.

In another incident, when the athlete got emotional after her college team lost a match during the March Madness tournament, her father cheered her on and said, “You played a great game, a great season, a great career. Nothing to be ashamed about. This chapter is closed, but now you are off to a new journey and the sky is the limit.” He has always been supportive of her career choices and has supported her throughout.

On the other hand, her mother Andrea was the first person in Aari’s life who knew exactly what her daughter was destined for, even when young Aari did not know what a career exactly meant. Like her father, Aari’s mother would also attend her matches since she started playing. Andrea was proud of her daughter’s achievements and constantly pushed her towards becoming better. “She kept us in those games,” Andrea said. “I had to take a double look, like, ‘Is she really making these baskets?’”

Hence, she shares a close bond with both her parents, respecting their decisions and advice as she traverses through her professional career in the league.