Megan and T.J. McConnell are siblings who have achieved their dreams of playing basketball professionally. After going undrafted following their college careers, T.J. is now with the Indiana Pacers, and Megan plays for the Phoenix Mercury.
During an interview with NBA TV, T.J. McConnell discussed his significant contributions to the team’s 2025 NBA Finals Game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Midway through the interview, Tim’s father unexpectedly joined in to express how proud he is to see his son and daughter playing in the NBA and WNBA. He stated, “This is a dream come true.”
TJ’s dad crashed the NBA TV while his son was being interviewed
“I have a son in the NBA and I have a daughter in the WNBA. This is a dream come true” pic.twitter.com/yVAAF9M7wG
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 20, 2025
“I’ll tell you right now, he’s a warrior, it’s never how tall you are,” Tim said on NBA TV. “[His performance] was excellent. Just disappointed he missed those two foul shots in the beginning. I kept saying, ‘Man, I wish you would’ve made those two foul shots.’ But, he recovered and we won the game.
“I can forget about the foul shots. Anything can happen in Game 7. We’re going to OKC to try and win a world championship. My son’s a part of it and I can’t believe that.”
T.J. McConnell’s Basketball Career
T.J. started his college career with the Duquesne Dukes, playing with that program two seasons. He was honored with the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year award and selected for the All-Defensive Team. How T.J. got there is an interesting story in itself after playing at Chartiers Valley (Bridgeville, Pa.) at for Cleveland Basketball Club on the Adidas circuit. Once he got his opportunity with CBC, West Virginia, Texas and UCLA tried to get in late on him, but his aunt, Suzie McConnell-Serio, was the women’s head coach at Duquesne and he decided to keep his commitment.
T.J. then transferred to the University of Arizona to play for the Wildcats his final two years of college basketball. He made an immediate impact on the team, leading them to two consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight.
During his time at Arizona, T.J. received several honors, including All-Pac-12 Second Team in 2014 and the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2015. He was also recognized as a member of the All-Pac-12 Defensive Team twice and inducted into the Wildcats’ Ring of Honor last December.
“But I just think the people here (in Arizona) are what makes it special,” Megan said of her reflection on T.J.’s time at the University of Arizona.
After completing his collegiate career, T.J. spent the first four seasons of his professional journey with the Philadelphia 76ers, his hometown team. He played a crucial role in transforming the team from one of the worst in the league to a playoff contender. The 76ers made it to the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, where Philadelphia was eliminated in the second round both times.
T.J.’s Tenure with the Indiana Pacers
In the summer of 2019, T.J. became an unrestricted free agent and signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Pacers. He joined a franchise undergoing a rebuild, which included changes in the coaching staff.
After acquiring guard Tyrese Haliburton in 2022 and Pascal Siakam in 2024 through trades, the Indiana Pacers emerged as a NBA playoff contenders.
T.J. is now one of the team’s longest-tenured players, alongside center Myles Turner, who was selected at 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2015 NBA Draft.
T.J. has become one of the key contributors in the team’s last two NBA playoff runs, especially during this season’s NBA Finals appearance, the franchise’s first since 2000.
As the Pacers faced elimination at home in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Haliburton played through a calf strain he had sustained in the previous game. T.J. stepped up with a big-time performance off the bench for Indiana, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the victory.
His enthusiasm, hustle and spark off the bench has Indiana on the brink of the franchise’s first NBA title.
Megan McConnell’s journey to the WNBA
Megan had a college basketball journey similar to her brother T.J., spending five seasons with the Duquesne Dukes and going undrafted in this year’s WNBA Draft. Throughout her collegiate career, she earned plenty of individual honors, including All-Atlantic 10 Second Team in 2023 and All-Atlantic 10 First Team in 2024 and 2025.
T.J. McConnell shows love to his sister, Megan McConnell by rocking her jersey💜
📲 (via @NBATV)#WNBA #NBA pic.twitter.com/q7zMwVlF4o
— Prime Reports (@Prime_Reports) June 6, 2025
Megan participated in the Phoenix Mercury training camp, where she quickly made a strong impression. However, she was one of the last players cut before the season began. In June, the team waived guard Sevgi Uzun and subsequently added Megan back to the roster. Megan pointed out that she and T.J. talk all the time and both have similar goals of making a difference for their respective teams.
“We have this mindset, this motto of proving people wrong,” Megan said during the Mercury’s training camp in May. “Undrafted, drafted, it doesn’t matter. Just go in and keep proving people wrong, work hard, and leave it all out there. That’s what he did, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
As T.J. and the Indiana Pacers head to Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Megan continues to prove the doubters wrong by contributing in the WNBA.
The McConnell’s story in an incredible tale of perseverance, believing in one’s self and taking advantage and being ready for the opportunities that present themselves.
Most of all, the Megan and T.J. offer unwavering support for each other and believe in each other no matter which way the ball bounces.
