Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne is an American professional basketball player, born on September 5, 1989, in Wilmington, Delaware. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Delle Donne began her professional career with the Chicago Sky before moving to the Washington Mystics in 2017, where she won multiple titles, including the WNBA Championship.

Delle Donne is known for her incredible accuracy, strength, scoring ability, and versatility. She has won numerous individual awards, including two MVP awards, and holds multiple records, such as the highest free throw percentage in a season.

Off the court, Delle Donne is also recognized for her philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

University of Delaware

• Youth and Early Career: Delle Donne was born and raised in Delaware and joined the University of Delaware's basketball team. She was a standout player, breaking numerous records and earning multiple awards.

Chicago Sky

• Early Success: Delle Donne was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2013. She won the Rookie of the Year award and became a key player for the Sky, leading them to the 2014 WNBA Finals.

Washington Mystics

• Championship Success: In 2017, Delle Donne transferred to the Washington Mystics. She led the team to their first WNBA Championship in 2019, earning her first Finals MVP award.
  Individual Awards: At the Mystics, Delle Donne won her second MVP award and set the record for the highest single-season free throw percentage.

USA National Team

• Debut: Made her debut for the USA National Team in 2013.

Achievements:

• Olympic Games: Gold Medalist in 2016.
• FIBA World Championship: Gold Medalist in 2014 and 2018.
• Delle Donne has been a key player for the national team, contributing to their continued success on the international stage.

• Position: Primarily a forward, but also excels as a guard.
• Skills: Known for her incredible accuracy, strength, versatility, and scoring prowess. Delle Donne is celebrated for her shooting efficiency, rebounding ability, and defensive skills.

• Family: Delle Donne is married to Amanda Clifton. She has one sister, Lizzie, who is blind and deaf and has cerebral palsy and autism.
• Philanthropy: Delle Donne is involved in various charitable activities and has donated significant sums to children's hospitals, special needs programs, and Lyme disease research.

• Elena Delle Donne is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional basketball. Her impact on the sport and her status as an icon extend beyond the court, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Highest Free Throw Percentage in a Season:

• 97.4% in 2019

Most Points in a Single Season:

• Over 600 points in 2015

Most Rebounds for the Washington Mystics:

• Over 200 rebounds in 2019

Most Points and Rebounds for the University of Delaware:

• All-time leading scorer and rebounder

Books

• Delle Donne, E. (2018) My Shot: Balancing It All and Standing Tall. London: Hatchette Book Group.
• Cavanaugh, J. (2019) Elena Delle Donne: Basketball’s Superstar. New York: Aladdin.

Websites

• WNBA: Information about Elena Delle Donne’s professional career and achievements. Available at: https://www.wnba.com
• Washington Mystics: Details about Delle Donne’s career at Washington Mystics. Available at: https://www.wnba.com/mystics
• USA Basketball: Official site with updates on Delle Donne’s performance and records at USA Basketball. Available at: https://www.usab.com

Articles

• ESPN: Elena Delle Donne: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/310211/elena-delle-donne
• The Guardian: Elena Delle Donne’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/elena-delle-donne

Interviews and Documentaries

• E:60 Elena Delle Donne (2019): Directed by ESPN. This documentary provides a detailed look at Delle Donne’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Elena Delle Donne, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com