Former Arizona Wildcats standout Aari McDonald will team up with a few familiar faces this offseason as she joins Team Breeze for the upcoming Unrivaled basketball league season. The league released its team rosters on Wednesday, revealing McDonald’s new partnership with stars Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, and others. This marks a return to stateside play for McDonald, who has chosen to remain in the U.S. during the WNBA offseason.
McDonald’s connection to Bueckers and Brink traces back to their college battles. During the 2021 NCAA Tournament, she led Arizona on a memorable run to the national title game. Along the way, McDonald and the Wildcats eliminated Bueckers’ UConn squad in the Final Four. In the championship game, Arizona fell just one point shy of Brink’s Stanford Cardinal, a heartbreaker that still stands as one of the most competitive finals in women’s college basketball.
Her basketball journey has continued to intertwine with her former rivals and teammates. McDonald previously played alongside Brink and Rickea Jackson during their rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks. Joining Team Breeze also reunites her with Kate Martin, a former Iowa guard, and Dominique Malonga, a talented post player from France, rounding out the six-player roster.
While Brink and Jackson remain teammates with the Sparks, the other Unrivaled players represent various WNBA teams. McDonald, after being waived by Los Angeles, found a new home last season with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Meanwhile, Bueckers is part of the Dallas Wings, and Malonga suits up for the Seattle Storm, showcasing the diversity and talent of the group assembled for this Unrivaled season.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see this star-studded lineup in action. Unrivaled’s second season tips off in January 2026, promising another competitive and entertaining showcase for women’s basketball. McDonald’s inclusion on Team Breeze adds yet another compelling storyline to her impressive and evolving career.
