Aari McDonald already endearing herself to Fever faithful after one practice

The Indiana Fever signed Aari McDonald to a hardship exception deal on Monday, one day before their second dance with the Washington Mystics since losing Caitlin Clark to a quad injury. McDonald, a five year veteran who has bounced around the league since being drafted 3rd overall in 2021, lands with a Fever team in desperate need of a point guard to run the show.

This desperate need, of course, came after the team saw both Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham go down with injuries in their recent game against the Connecticut Sun, which helped Connecticut land their first victory of the young WNBA season. This left them with no true point guard on the roster that would be healthy for their June 3 game.

Indiana made a great move signing McDonald, who is a natural ball handler and facilitator. She'll be a great addition to their bench if Colson is able to go one game after going down with a left leg injury, or a solid option to start alongside Kelsey Mitchell if Colson isn't fully healthy by then.

McDonald arrived on Monday to begin practicing with the Fever, and her comments on her experience in Day 1 of practice will make every Fever fan happy.

McDonald recounts first practice with Fever

Per Scott Agness' of FieldHouse Files' YouTube page featuring McDonald fielding questions about her first day of practice, she had a great introductory process to Indiana.

"When I got the call, I was very excited, very blessed, and a humbling experience joining a team like the Fever. And I'm just excited and ready to compete, and just win," said McDonald on Agness' YouTube page.

READ MORE: Fever must fix huge flaw on offense that existed before Caitlin Clark's injury

She added, "The girls did a great job with cheering me on, and being accepting and welcoming," which is such a great sign as far as building team chemistry goes between McDonald and the team.

"It was my first day. I wasn't trying to overthink, because that's when turnovers happen... Just constantly playing, not thinking too much, and calling what I'm comfortable with." That's the perfect mindset for any player coming in on a hardship deal to have, and a perfect example as to why McDonald was a great pickup for the Fever ahead of their matchup with the Mystics.

Indiana, and especially head coach Stephanie White, have been very vocal about how much they love being able to lean on their new veterans this season to guide the team. McDonald is just another great veteran added to the room.