TJ McConnell
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TJ McConnell has averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds in the 2025 NBA playoffs for the Indiana Pacers.
Valerie McConnell is the wife of Indiana Pacers star TJ McConnell.
Here is everything you need to know about her:
1. TJ has known Valerie since childhood
TJ and Valerie’s story starts in the very beginning of both of their lives. The happy couple met in Kindergarten and grew up together in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.
They started dating while attending Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville.
It doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
2. Valerie and Josh got married in 2017
TJ and Valerie tied the knot on Saturday September 9, 2017 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
TJ was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers at the time, and teammate Nik Stauskas was a member of his wedding party.
A funny story about the McConnells’ wedding — Valerie apparently facilitated a complete hairstyle change for TJ ahead of their ceremony.
TJ used to rock a shaved haircut, but Valerie told CSN Philly back in June 2017 that a buzz wasn’t going to cut it on their big day.
“I think I said, ‘You will not walk down the aisle with a buzzcut. It’s just not happening,'” Valerie said. “I think he thought he wouldn’t look handsome with his hair and he looks so handsome with it.”
TJ has rocked the classy crew cut ever since.
3. TJ and Valerie Have Two Sons Together
The McConnells welcomed their first son, Trace, on Friday, January 8, 2021.
Now four years old, Trace has been seen by TJ’s side at some of his NBA games.
Not much is known about the McConnell’s second son – Valerie and TJ have kept most of the details including his name private for now. McConnell mentioned in a media day interview back in 2023 that baby number two was born on September 7, 2023, making him about a year and a half old.
Maybe when Trace’s younger brother gets a little older we will see the two of them hanging out at Pacers games with their dad.
4. Tyrese Haliburton thinks Valerie is TJ’s good luck charm
Last season, TJ McConnell’s Game 6 performance was key for the Indiana Pacers’ victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, which eliminated the Bucks and sent the Pacers into the second round.
McConnell dropped 20 points and 9 assists to lead the Pacers to a 120-96 win, and during his media availability after the game, his superstar teammate Tyrese Haliburton gave all the credit to Valerie.
“I knew he was going to respond because his wife Val is here and I always tell him he plays better when Val is at the game,” Haliburton said.
If that’s true, the Pacers should make sure Valerie has courtside seats to the 2025 NBA Finals!
5. Valerie’s Famous Follower
Valerie keeps her social media pretty low key — she only has 1,500 followers on Instagram and it is set to private.
But that hasn’t stopped her from earning a follow from a very famous friend – WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark!
Caitlin Clark follows Valerie McConnell
SreenshotValerie McConnell is listed among the people Caitlin Clark follows on Instagram.
Clark seems to be close with a lot of Pacers players and their families — she follows TJ on Instagram as well.
So who knows, maybe Indiana basketball fans will be treated to an epic double date on their timeline soon, with TJ, Valerie, Caitlin, and Caitlin’s boyfriend Connor McCaffery.
But more importantly, Indy fans want to see TJ and Valerie add a second ring to their collection – an NBA championship ring in 2025!