18 points. That’s what TJ McConnell dropped off the bench in the Indiana Pacers’ latest win over the Bucks — a stat that barely scratches the surface of his journey. Undrafted, undersized, and overlooked, McConnell has carved out a reputation as one of the NBA’s grittiest guards. His story resonates far beyond the men’s league — even into WNBA training camps, where pressure mounts just as intensely. Take the Phoenix Mercury, for example: 19 players, but only 11 can make the final roster. One rookie guard isn’t flinching — because she is also a McConnell, and she’s built for this exact kind of battle.

You see, Megan went undrafted at first in the 2025 WNBA draft. It was only later, when she was sitting with her teammates and coaches, that she received a call and a training camp invite. Then the next day, she was off to Phoenix, carrying the realized dreams of a high school teenager in her suitcase.

Now, as the 2025 WNBA training camps heat up, each of the 13 teams can carry up to 18 players — but by May 16, that number plummets to just 11 or 12. Out of 234 players across the league, more than 80 will be cut before the season even starts. It’s a brutal reality, and for Megan McConnell, it’s the uphill battle she’s ready to face. And the competition? Fierce. Not just from other rookies, but from seasoned vets like Natasha Mack, who played all 40 Phoenix games last season.

But Megan McConnell? She’s unfazed.

“I mean, we have this mindset and this motto of proving people wrong. Undrafted, drafted — it doesn’t matter, Just go in and just keep proving people wrong and just work hard and  just leave it all out there and that’s what he did and that’s what I’m trying to do, The Mercury rookie said, echoing TJ McConnell’s grind-first, excuses-never attitude. Just like TJ, her brother, had to claw his way through NBA Summer League and preseason camps to earn a spot with the 76ers in 2015- she’s taking every drill, every scrimmage, like it’s game seven. 

Hearing her speak, it seems like she has that same chip on her shoulder as TJ- that nagging voice that never stops saying, “you don’t belong”. But like TJ, it’s again the very thing she is using as fuel. The trick her brother taught her? Don’t give in to the voice, but carry its weight to compete. “I use what got me to the NBA,” he once said, “that’s the thing I never lost. And I will never lose. And if I do, I think it’s time for me to retire.”

So, now, she’ll play her own brand of ball, forged in the same fire that got her brother TJ from undrafted underdog to a $33 million NBA contract. Grit, grind, and zero glam. If she does make the Mercury’s final roster, it won’t be a miracle — it’ll be the McConnell effect, in full. And we know who she’ll FaceTime first. Till then, TJ will keep being TJ, texting her great effort before every big day. Because, as she has herself said, “because it’s not luck that I’m here. It’s because of my effort“.

You can expect those efforts to be on full display as she gears up to make a name for herself.

Phoenix Mercury will have a tough choice to make

With the Phoenix Mercury coming off a promising turnaround last season under Coach Nate Tibbetts, the pressure is on to build on that success. But as they look to improve their position, they’re missing two key pillars — Diana Taurasi, who has retired, and Brittney Griner, who has signed with a new team. In their absence, Phoenix has made a splash by acquiring stars Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas through trades. 

May 21, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) moves the ball against Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY SportsHowever, the Mercury are placing a lot of their hopes on 28-year-old Kitija Laksa, which can make things a bit difficult for Megan.  

A Latvian standout, Laksa was drafted by the Seattle Storm in 2020 but has yet to play in a WNBA game. After playing college ball at South Florida, she honed her skills in Europe, most recently in Italy, where she showcased her sharpshooting ability, averaging over 38.5% from three-point range and 49.5% from 2-point range. With her impressive shooting skills, Laksa could fit perfectly into Phoenix’s offense.

Throw in Anna Makurat, Helena Pueyo, Julia Ayrault, Kathryn Westbeld, Lexi Held, Monique Akoa-Makani, Murjanatu Musa and Temira Poindexter- and Megan will have a lot to prove in a short period of time. Most of these, including Laksa, have no prior WNBA experience. So, ultimately, roster spots will be determined by sheer grit, and Megan appears to have that quality in thousands. We just hope that luck won’t take offense to what she said earlier.