Duquesne WBB’s McConnell Hopes For ‘Rockyesque’ Ending At WNBA Draft

It was a Friday afternoon at Duquesne’s practice gym and assistant coach R.J. Bell was leading Megan McConnell but there was something clearly different about this workout as the familiar NCAA basketball was replaced by the traditional orange-and-white WNBA ball.

Three days remained before Monday’s WNBA Draft, where McConnell as well as many others are hopeful to hear their name selected across the three rounds, but for now, she continues to work on her craft to continue getting better.

That journey which resumed a couple of days after the Duquesne Women’s Basketball season ended in the WNIT Super 16, saw her travel to Tampa and take part in the Lilly Women’s College All-Star Combine and Game.

Those couple of days after the Cleveland State setback were difficult for McConnell as she had to process the end of her collegiate career and every message that came her way had her in tears, but she remembered her mother’s advice, that “if you have something that makes saying goodbye so hard, it must have been pretty special while it was happening.”

This stuck with McConnell who believes that not many could state they had the experience she did while at Duquesne and she would not trade that for the world.

“Honestly I thought once my season was over, I thought I would have a little bit of a break, but I feel like I’ve been busier since my season ended but in a good way,” McConnell opened up. “I’ve been on a plan with my strength coach in the weight room and I have been working out every day so I’m excited to see what the future holds. I’m excited for this next chapter so I guess it’s just a waiting game at this point.”

The event showcased 20 different players from across the country, with WNBA coaches, scouts and general managers all in attendance watching and putting in more work to determine who would make their respective draft boards.

McConnell was determined to stand out because for her, she had a point to prove.

This showcase transpired over two days, both of which saw McConnell wake up at 6 a.m. and be on the court from 7-5.

Those running the combine tested agility, vertical, the size of her hand and sprint among other disciplines before a scrimmage.

McConnell had the best reaction shuttle time at 2.869, something which in the moment she did not realize.

Tune in and watch @megg_mcconnell4 battle in scrimmage 2 as part of the combine for the Lilly Women’s College All-Star Game!

📺: https://t.co/yf9RFGfpcC#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/mTHvzdDhYK

— Duquesne Women’s Basketball (@DuqWBB) April 4, 2025

One moment that brought a smile to McConnell’s face was during the combine scrimmage when she converted a pull-up, full well knowing the reaction it would get from assistant coach Vanessa Abel.

For five years, Abel had been trying to get McConnell to take that very shot and to the latter’s guesstimation, she took maybe two pull ups in games.

McConnell credits the shot to taking what the defense gave her and took the shot with confidence in an effort to show her potential as a three-level scorer.

“I made it and as soon as I made it, the first thought I had was ‘wait until Coach V sees this,’” laughed McConnell. “She texted me right away and said, ‘now you want to do it.’ I said, ‘I know I’m sorry.’”

Our All-Star showing out at the combine 👏 #GoDukes | @megg_mcconnell4 pic.twitter.com/1ErZsGq2Df

— Duquesne Women’s Basketball (@DuqWBB) April 4, 2025

Early the next morning, several Duquesne staffers took to the air to watch McConnell play and they were joined by families and a few teammates, all of whom wanted to show support and be part of the shine that is displayed both on and off the court.

Duquesne’s head coach Dan Burt was one of many who made the trip, and it is his belief that McConnell had the most support of any of the 20 players who were selected.

In a year where McConnell set records, was in the running for numerous awards and had scouts present at games, this was another positive thing for her to experience and in his words, she handled it very matter of fact.

“I think that was a very well planned and executed event with a lot of talent,” he stated in a phone interview. “Meg played very well in that event and she played the way that she played at Duquesne. She picked up her opponent full court and pressed them the entire length of the floor. She made us very proud. I think we saw that we probably had the biggest amount of fan base for any one player there with our entire coaching staff, our families, Meg’s family and several of our players making the trip down to watch the event. There’s no delineation in the line between A4 and talent that is not at the A4 level when you have ability like Meg does. We already knew she would compete at a high level and have success. We went down just to enjoy it more than anything.”

As far as the game itself went, McConnell got to be coached by WNBA legend Cheryl Miller, a 1995 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

McConnell was most struck by Miller’s ability to motivate as a speaker, more often than not about things off the court. It was a change of pace from the voices who guided her for five years, but something which could be respected because of her impact on the WNBA and women’s sports in general.

Ultimately, McConnell thought highly of her experience, considering it surreal to see fans come from all over the country, while displaying a sense of pride that she could represent Duquesne in that fashion and have her last name on the back of the jersey.

Of course, that last name is quite synonymous with success in Pittsburgh and beyond with her brother T.J.’s success in the NBA. As Burt pointed out, the stories both have are quite similar, but there are different wrinkles attached to them.

“With T.J. and I, it’s crazy because we’re 10 years apart, but we’re very similar on and off the court,” McConnell explained. “We really have a lot of the same mannerisms, but I think more so for him he’s just a proud big brother right now and he never fails to remind me of that. He just keeps telling me that the sky is the limit, to put my head down and keep working. To hear those words, just mean a lot to me because I know what he’s been through and I know that all he’s done is put his head down and worked, so that’s what I’ve tried to do.”

Burt did point out during the weekend that agents came up to him in an attempt to sign McConnell and overseas clubs sent representatives to do the same, but his guard is signed to an agent she is happy with and the overall focus is on Monday. If McConnell not drafted, then the coming days the aim will be to try and find the right opportunity to join a WNBA training camp.

McConnell has consistently taken things a day at a time, so these next approximately 72 hours may be a whirlwind, but she believes she will be ready for them, regardless of what the outcome is.

“Obviously it’s every single little girl’s dream to hear their name called in the WNBA Draft,” explained McConnell. “If that’s what’s in my future, I feel God will have a plan for me. I’m not going to overthink it, I’m not going to be disappointed because honestly, I made a name for myself already at a mid-major school, so I know if I can get an opportunity, I’m going to take it, run with it and prove people wrong. If I don’t get drafted, disappointment I don’t feel would be the right word, I think I just have something more to prove. If I get drafted it would be a dream come true, I wouldn’t even know the feeling. If not, I’m going to get a training camp offer, make a team, get a roster spot and go from there.”

As a Friday morning phone call reached its conclusion, Burt reflected on McConnell’s journey as the underdog living out her dream. There has been a lot of growth, plenty of cries and a determination to silence her doubters.

Regardless of the outcome, McConnell will be surrounded by those closest in her circle, ready to celebrate and offer support. Many of those individuals are not just Duquesne family, but those she holds closest.

“I have so much gratitude towards Duquesne and the people in this program,” she closed. “I’m sure if it wasn’t for the people I wouldn’t have stayed all five years. Because this program is surrounded by great people and my teammates were great, I have nothing but gratitude. Being able to spend five years here and building the relationships I built, I’m so fortunate because I know there’s such a rare amount of people that can say they had what I had. With the transfer portal and NIL, none of that stuff mattered to me because I’m right where I belong with the people in my life that will be in my circle for the rest of my life.”

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