Ariel McDonald facts for kids
McDonald, in 2007
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 5, 1972 Harvey, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Slovenian |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Minnesota (1990–1994) |
| NBA Draft | 1994 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1994–2009 |
| Career history | |
| 1994–1995 | Castors Braine |
| 1995–1996 | Interier Krško |
| 1996–1999 | Olimpija Ljubljana |
| 1999–2002 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2002–2004 | Panathinaikos |
| 2004–2005 | Dynamo Moscow |
| 2005–2008 | Akasvayu Girona |
| 2008 | Dynamo Moscow |
| 2008–2009 | Montepaschi Siena |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
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Ariel Rene McDonald (born January 5, 1972) is a former professional basketball player from the United States and Slovenia. He played as a point guard, which is like the team's leader on the court. Ariel McDonald was a very skilled player. He won many awards, including the MVP (Most Valuable Player) in Israel in 2000. He also played for some of the best basketball teams in Europe, like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Panathinaikos.
Contents
Ariel McDonald's Early Life and High School Career
Ariel McDonald started playing basketball in high school. He went to Homewood-Flossmoor High School near Chicago. There, he was amazing, scoring about 24 points in each game. He also helped his teammates by making 10 assists per game.
After two years, his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. He then attended Athens Drive High School. McDonald helped his new high school team reach the "final four" in North Carolina.
College Basketball Journey
In 1989, McDonald went to the University of Minnesota. He spent his first year practicing with the team but not playing in games. This is called being "red-shirted."
Over the next four years, McDonald and the Golden Gophers team got much better. They won the NIT Tournament in 1993. In his last year, 1994, they made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ariel McDonald's Professional Basketball Career in Europe
McDonald started his professional career playing for smaller teams in Europe. He played for Castors Braine in Belgium and Interier Krško in Slovenia.
Playing for Olimpija Ljubljana
After his time in Slovenia, a top Slovenian team called Olimpija Ljubljana signed him. While playing for Olimpija, he joined the EuroLeague. This is the highest level of professional club basketball in Europe. He even played in the 1997 EuroLeague Final Four, which is a big championship event.
Success with Maccabi Tel Aviv
McDonald then moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. He quickly became very famous there. With teammates like Nate Huffman and Anthony Parker, he helped Maccabi become one of Europe's best basketball teams.
During his three years with Maccabi, the team won the FIBA SuproLeague title in 2001. They also reached the EuroLeague Final Four twice, in 2000 and 2002. McDonald was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Israeli Basketball Premier League in 2000. He scored over 1,600 points for Maccabi Tel Aviv in 139 games.
Moving to Panathinaikos and Other Teams
After Maccabi, McDonald joined one of their biggest rivals, Panathinaikos in Greece. In his first game against Maccabi, he scored 19 points!
Later, McDonald played for Akasvayu Girona in Spain from 2005 to 2008. He then returned to Dynamo Moscow, a team he had played for in 2004-2005. His professional career ended in 2009 after playing for Montepaschi Siena in Italy.
National Team Experience
Ariel McDonald also played for the senior men's Slovenian national basketball team. He represented Slovenia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2001 tournament.
Coaching After Playing
After he stopped playing professional basketball, McDonald became a high school basketball coach. He coached at Providence Academy in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Ariel McDonald's Personal Life
McDonald became a citizen of Slovenia in June 1997, after playing there for two years. He was also famous in Israel for appearing in a Burger King commercial. In the ad, he said, "Listen to McDonald - only Burger King!"
See also
In Spanish: Arriel McDonald para niños
