Chartiers Valley's T.J. McConnell to sign with Pacers for 2 years, $7M

Chartiers Valley graduate T.J. McConnell agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, his agent confirmed Wednesday.

McConnell, 27, who was the longest-tenured player on the 76ers and a fan favorite, spent four years with the Sixers after going undrafted out of Arizona. He began his college career with Duquesne.

McConnell formed close friendships with most of his teammates and coach Brett Brown throughout the years.

A representative of the ‘grind from the bottom’ persona the Sixers cultivated over the years, McConnell was the recipient of many ovations and chants inside the Wells Fargo Center. His tenacity, especially when creating turnovers after picking up players full-court on defense, created rallying moments for Sixers fans.

He holds career averages of 6.4 points and 4.7 assists.

With the rebuilding 2016-17 Sixers, McConnell played in 81 games, starting 51. He saw his role diminish as the Sixers’ expectations rose the following season, and more so last season.

With the free-agent signings and re-signings the Sixers have made, the team would not have had the resources to keep McConnell to another contract, especially considering the lack of playing time they would have been able to offer him.