Megan McConnell, an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury, grew up in an athletic household where most of his family members are connected to basketball.
Her father, Tim McConnell, coached at Chartiers Valley High School, and his brother, T.J., plays professionally for the Indiana Pacers.
Highlights
- Tim McConnell instilled discipline and basketball IQ in Megan, coaching her at Chartiers Valley High School.
- Shelly McConnell was Megan’s emotional anchor, offering constant support and life lessons that shaped her resilience and character.
- Megan’s extended family created a culture of excellence, pushing her to carry on the McConnell legacy.
Megan was relatively small in size but led her Chartiers Valley High School team to a state championship in her junior year.
Despite her high school basketball success, major college programs didn’t recruit her, and she joined the Duquesne Dukes.
During the 2022-23 season, she became one of only two NCAA Division I players with multiple triple-doubles. Later, she was named second-team All-A-10 at the end of the season.
Megan was the only player to start every game for Duquesne and was named the A-10’s Defensive Player of the Year during the 2024–2025 season.
Duquesne head coach Dan Burt called her the best player he has ever coached in 2025.
Sadly, she was undrafted in the 2025 WNBA draft and received a training camp invitation from the Phoenix Mercury.
Later, the Mercury signed her, and she recorded three points, three assists, one rebound, and one steal in her WNBA debut.
Meg had worked incredibly hard to play in the WNBA. This roster spot is well earned. So happy for such an awesome young woman.
Dan Burt
Megan McConell’s Parents Shaped Her Basketball Legacy
Megan McConnell, the youngest daughter of Tim and Shelly McConnell, was born on November 12, 2001, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Her parents raised her alongside two brothers, T.J. and Matty McConnell. Her brothers are also active in basketball games.
Megan comes from a family deeply rooted in the basketball game, but it’s the influence of both her parents that has shaped her into the player and person she is today.
Tim is one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in the history of Western Pennsylvania. His impact on the court is undeniable, with over 600 career wins and eight WPIAL championships.
He led the Chartiers Valley boys’ team from 1992 to 2018 before transitioning to coach the girls’ team, continuing his winning tradition.
His basketball knowledge and competitive spirit have undoubtedly influenced Megan’s game, but it’s her mother who has shaped her beyond the court.
While basketball runs deep in the McConnell family, Shelly McConnell, who doesn’t play the sport, has been Megan’s biggest inspiration.
She doesn’t get any credit when it comes to basketball. It’s always my dad, but my mom has shaped me into the person I am today. She has been there through every challenge in my life, and she is always giving me the best advice.
Megan McConnell
Shelly’s constant support and wisdom have been the foundation of Megan’s success, proving that behind every great athlete is a strong, loving family.
Furthermore, the McConnell family’s ties to basketball extend even further.
Megan’s aunt, Suzie McConnell-Serio, is an Olympic gold medalist, a former WNBA coach, and a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Another aunt, Kathy McConnell-Miller, played at the University of Virginia and later coached at the University of Tulsa and the University of Colorado.
Her uncle, Tom McConnell, has also had a long coaching career in college basketball.
Nonetheless, Megan carries not just her dreams but a family legacy of excellence, with an impressive basketball lineage.
T.J. And Megan McConnell Showed Sibling Support By Sporting Each Other’s Jerseys
T.J. and Megan McConnell have always shared a strong bond, both on and off the court.
On Thursday night, the brother-sister duo showed their unwavering support for each other’s basketball journeys by wearing each other’s jerseys during their respective games.
T.J., a point guard for the Indiana Pacers, made his first NBA Finals appearance in Oklahoma City, stepping into the Paycom Center for Game 1 while proudly wearing Megan’s Phoenix Mercury jersey.
Meanwhile, Megan, though sidelined with a knee injury, cheered on her brother from Phoenix by rocking his Pacers jersey during the Mercury’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries.
T.J. and Megan were standout players at Chartiers Valley before continuing their basketball careers at Duquesne University.
T.J. went on to carve out a role in the NBA as a tenacious playmaker, while Megan recently signed with the Mercury, making her WNBA debut earlier this week.
Although Megan’s first game was cut short due to an injury, her future in the league remains bright.
Furthermore, the McConnells became one of only three active brother-sister duos in the NBA and WNBA with Megan’s signing with the Mercury.
Even when they can’t be on the court together, their mutual support shines through, proving that no matter the distance or circumstance, family always has each other’s backs.
Additional Information
- Standing 1.70m tall, Megan McConnell plays guard for the Phoenix Mercury.
- She played 144 games for the Duquesne program and recorded 660 assists and 370 steals.
- She only played 13 minutes in her WNBA debut and was forced to leave the court due to her knee injury.
