TUCSON, Ariz. — Well before Aari McDonald was lighting up the scoreboard at the Mckale Center, her love for the game of basketball blossomed.
"I started playing against older peoples and I saw could go against them," McDonald said. "I thought to myself, I can really go far I could be something."
Since lacing up her basketball shoes at the age of seven, Aari has pushed her self to the limit even hitting the hardwood as the only girl on a number of boys teams.
"I was guarding 6'2 guys and I was holding my own." "It shaped the player I am today with the toughness and having the fight of being fearless."
At only 5'4, Aari plays the game with an intensity that can't be taught. Going all out for rebounds or setting up teammates to make a play and she can score too. Ranking as the third best in the nation.
Head Coach Adia Barnes even saw her U of A single season scoring record erased this year by none other than McDonald.
"She's going to break a lot of records, she's a special person on and off the court," Barnes said. She's exciting, she's dynamic and she's bringing the our program to different heights."
By the time Aari graduates she hopes to re-brand Arizona Women's basketball for the next generation.
"The sky is the limit for us and this program for years to come," McDonald explained.
Tickets for the WNIT final can be found here.
