Aari McDonald named to WNBA All-Rookie Team

The Associated Press already named former Arizona star Aari McDonald one of the best rookies in the WNBA. Now, the league has followed suit.

The WNBA announced on Tuesday that McDonald was one of the five top rookies during the 2021 season. She was the second straight All-Rookie honoree for the Atlanta Dream after Chennedy Carter was named to the team in 2020.

McDonald led all rookies with 59 assists and 25 steals in her first season despite playing just 16.4 minutes per game. She was also tops in usage rate at 20.7 percent. She was second among rookies in total points (189) and made 3-pointers (32).

She also showed her worth from the line, setting a new record for the Atlanta Dream with 31 straight made free throws. Her 88.2 percent free-throw shooting was first on the team for players who took at least 30 attempts.

McDonald ended the WNBA season with 6.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game.

She has now moved on to the European season where she is the starting point guard for Uni Gyor in Hungary. She played her first game with the team on Oct. 2, just days after arriving in Gyor. She had 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in her first outing.