The Journey: Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell's perseverance paved way for trip to Finals

The Indiana Pacers enter the NBA Finals this week with a group of players that embody the virtues of teamwork and resilience. Their unusually-deep rotation of players feature athletes that range from high-level prospects to scrappy underdog stories, and none embody that quality like backup point guard and fan-favorite T.J. McConnell.

Every year, hundreds of high school basketball players across the country are told they’re not good enough. Not big enough. Not athletic enough. Not prolific enough.

And every once in a while, someone like T.J. McConnell comes along to prove everyone wrong.

McConnell is now one of the most respected backup point guards in the NBA — the type of player every coach wishes they had. But to understand his value today, you have to go back to where it started: a scrawny, overlooked kid from Pittsburgh who simply refused to let the world define his ceiling.

This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a roadmap — for parents wondering if their undersized kid still has a shot, for coaches looking to develop leaders, and for young athletes facing adversity.

Let’s break it down.

Under Recruited and Over Looked

Despite an outstanding high school career at Chartiers Valley — where he was coached by his father, Tim — T.J. was lightly recruited.

The reason? He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t hunting highlights. He was a pass-first, unselfish leader who prioritized winning and making his teammates better over personal stats. While that made him beloved in his locker room, it made him easy to miss on the scouting circuit.

The big schools passed. The rankings skipped him. So he went to Duquesne, a local mid-major, as one of the only schools that believed in him.

He worked his tail off at Duquense, garnering all-rookie conference honors and giving him a shot to bet on himself in the next stage of his career.

T.J. transferred to the University of Arizona, a move that raised a few eyebrows, and sat the required year waiting for his chance. He spent that entire redshirt season studying film, lifting weights and preparing himself every day in practice for a chance at the starting job.

LESSON for Athletes: Be prepared to put in the work required at every level, and do not be afraid to bet on yourself in college recruiting. Every program is a chance to showcase your ability, and your journey is never over.

Low Point: Going Undrafted

After transferring to Arizona and leading the Wildcats to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, McConnell still went undrafted in 2015.

He had done everything right — worked hard, led his team and improved every year. But in the NBA’s eyes he wasn’t tall enough. Wasn’t fast enough. Didn’t shoot enough. “System player” was the label, and it stuck.

For a lot of kids, this would have been the end of the road.

But McConnell didn’t crumble. He got to work.

LESSON For Parents & Athletes: The biggest growth moments come after disappointment. Your child’s worst day — being benched, cut, or overlooked — may be the start of something better. It’s how they respond that matters.

Turning Point: Grinding His Way Into the League

After going undrafted in 2015, McConnell found himself at a crossroads. He had just finished leading Arizona to consecutive Elite Eight appearances, proving he could run a top-tier program — yet NBA teams still didn’t see enough. No combine invite. No draft call. No guarantees.

Instead of sulking, he showed up to Summer League with the Philadelphia 76ers — a team deep in the middle of a rebuild. It was a low-risk tryout for them. For McConnell, it was everything.

And he treated it that way.

Day after day, he dove on the floor, picked up full court, directed teammates like a 10-year veteran and made winning plays without needing to score. Coaches noticed. Teammates respected it. Eventually, the Sixers invited him to training camp — and he made the final roster.

That season, he went from an anonymous camp invite to the starting point guard in Philadelphia.

LESSON for Young Athletes: There’s no shortcut to earning trust. McConnell got his shot by showing up every day like it was Game 7. Talent helps — but toughness, effort and consistency are what coaches remember.

For Coaches: Rebuilding programs are built on players like McConnell — tone-setters who show young teammates how to work, how to lead and how to compete without ego.

Zoom Out: Why T.J. McConnell’s Story Matters

In today’s youth sports world, it’s easy to get caught up in rankings, exposure and athletic measurables. But T.J. McConnell is living proof that intangibles still matter.

• Leadership
• Grit
• Consistency
• Coachability

He didn’t win by going viral. He won by getting better, every single year.

T.J. McConnell’s journey isn’t about one big moment — it’s about thousands of small ones. He bet on himself when no one else would. He showed up every day. He turned being overlooked into being indispensable.

There’s a little T.J. McConnell in every gym, every program, every kid who's heard, “You’re not good enough.”

Now the question is: What will you do with that?

If you’re a parent: Help your child focus on what they can control — attitude, effort, and preparation.

If you’re a coach: Prioritize character and basketball IQ, not just wingspan and vertical.

If you’re a player: Your path won’t look like anyone else’s. Keep your head down and keep grinding.