Born in the Cincinnati area to a high school basketball coach and growing up in the suburb of Cold Spring, Kentucky, McDonald was lightly recruited by NCAA Division I programs and unranked by recruiting services[1] despite being a finalist for Kentucky's Mr. Basketball award at Newport Central Catholic High School.
In four seasons at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), he has become the school's all-time leader in points and rebounds, and has also been called "the on-court catalyst ushering in the Division I era of Norse Athletics" by Premier Sports Management, the administrator of the annual Senior CLASS Awards in multiple NCAA sports.
As McDonald progressed in the sport, his mother remained a vocal presence, with Drew recalling that she was "the LaVar Ball of Newport Central Catholic.
"[4] After a major growth spurt in middle school that saw him add 12 inches (30 cm), McDonald went on to attend NCC, where he was a star in both basketball and golf.
[5][a] McDonald was not highly ranked by most recruiting outlets, partly because he had equally talented teammates at other positions.
[7] While he received two other Division I scholarship offers from UNC Asheville and Wright State, he was a priority recruit for NKU's coach at the time, Dave Bezold.
[16] Prior to McDonald's junior season of 2017–18, he was named the Horizon League's preseason player of the year.
[22] After the season, McDonald was named as a Lou Henson All-American as one of the top 30 mid-major players in Division I men's basketball.
[24] McDonald was also named as one of 20 preseason candidates for the Karl Malone Award, presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the top Division I men's power forward.
[27] During the season, he became the all-time rebounding leader for the Norse in a loss to Eastern Kentucky on December 8, 2018,[28] and surpassed the 1,000-rebound mark in a win over Detroit Mercy on February 7, 2019.
In addition to the aforementioned cousin, two of his aunts played college volleyball, one at Western Kentucky and the other at Midway.
His Senior CLASS Award nomination additionally mentioned an episode during the aforementioned FISU America games.
According to Premier Sports Management, "While this was a simple act of kindness, it is indicative of McDonald’s humility and helpfulness that is always on display.