PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When TJ McConnell committed to Duquesne University as a sophomore guard at Chartiers Valley High School in 2007, Sidney Crosby won the Hart, Pearson and Ross awards with the Penguins. Who would have thought that in 2024, McConnell would make more money than Crosby?
At the start of this season, Crosby will make, barring a restructuring of his contract, $8.7 million. McConnell’s number is $9.3 million to finish this contract with the Indiana Pacers and he agreed to a new four-year, $45 million to increase his pay and play with Indianapolis until he’s 37.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said it was McConnell who was the difference-maker after Indiana won it’s first playoff series in a decade as they beat Milwaukee in May. In that game, McConnell came off the bench and in 22 minutes scored 20 points on 7-9 field goal shooting (2-2 from three), 4-4 free throws, nine assists and four steals.
He had a pair of double-doubles in helping Indy win the next series against the Knicks, in one of those games was a plus 27, plus/minus judging the point differential when he was on or off the court. He had double figures in 10 games, averaging 11.8 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds in the 2024 postseason.
McConnell isn’t a starter, but does so many things for the Pacers. Obviously, he’s valuable with the contract the Bridgeville native received.
Last season, as a 32-year-old, in playing just 18 minutes a game, McConnell averaged 10.2 points-a-game, 5.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 72 steals. He shot 56% field goals, 41% from three and had five double-doubles.
What Carlisle loves about him are all of those mostly offensive stats, but also a defensive intensity. You know when he’s on the court, he’s not afraid to get in an opponent’s face even though nearly every player he faces is bigger than him.
McConnell doesn’t get bothered by who opposes him, he just goes at him. He just tries to set a tone with his attitude and competitiveness. It’s to the point with the Pacers that TJ gets the crowd going as much as any other player.
Leaving Duquesne after his sophomore year, he finished his college career at the University of Arizona. The 76ers gave him a workout after going undrafted and in his rookie season would play in all 81 games, starting 17. He would start 51 games his next year in Philadelphia and left in 2019-20 for a free-agent deal with the Pacers.
Upon the completion of this new contract, McConnell will have made over $80 million playing NBA basketball. He’s earned every dollar.
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