TJ McConnell has come a long way since his days as an undrafted rookie hoping to make the 76ers’ roster.

Now in his 10th season, the reserve point guard is now a fan favorite for another team – the Indiana Pacers.

The 32-year-old reflected on his career before facing his former team on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

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“Honestly, it’s like one of those things where you blink and wonder, ‘Where did those 10 years go?'” McConnell said. “It’s crazy to think about it. I really didn’t think about it seriously, I just enjoyed it while I could.”

The Western Pennsylvania native agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension that will keep him with the Pacers through the 2028-29 season. The former Arizona Wildcat – and Duquesne star – will also be inducted into Arizona’s Ring of Honor later this season. But McConnell began his NBA journey as the Sixers’ fifth point guard during training camp in 2015. At the time, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound man didn’t even have a locker.

McConnell was asked Friday if he could name the five other point guards on the roster this season.

“Pierre Jackson, Tony Wroten, Scottie Wilbekin and Isaiah Canaan,” McConnell said, “and Ish (Smith) was later (acquired).”

The Sixers acquired Smith on December 24, 2015 in a trade with the New Orleans Pelican.

McConnell averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 assists in 314 games with 72 starts with the Sixers before signing a free agent contract with the Pacers on July 29, 2019. Since then, he has averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 assists in his first 337 games at Indiana, according to Friday’s game.

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“It’s kind of one of those things where I felt like I went out and earned what I got and just put my head down, got to work and let things fall,” McConnell said of that , what he is most proud of. “And somehow I don’t regret it at all.

“But I have a lot to thank (former Sixers assistant Chris Babcock). He was here in Philly. He was in the gym with me three times a day before I made the team. It was one of those things where if I don’t make the team, I’m going to go down swinging.”

Martin and Bona set off

Sixers reserves Caleb Martin (right shoulder impingement), Adem Bona (left knee tendinopathy) and Kyle Lowry (lower back spasms) missed Friday’s match.

Bona missed his third straight game while Martin struggled with injuries for most of the season. Both players are listed daily. Lowry’s status has yet to be determined.