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In 2008 She Walked Away From a Top Basketball Program, and the Move Changed Everything
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- In 2008 She Walked Away From a Top Basketball Program, and the Move Changed Everything
In 2008, Elena Delle Donne was expected to become the next great star of Geno Auriemma's UConn women's basketball program. Instead, the highly regarded recruit made a decision that changed the direction of her career.
After just two days of summer classes, Delle Donne withdrew from Connecticut and returned to her hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. She later explained that personal issues made it necessary to step away from basketball and reassess what she wanted.
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Her decision surprised the basketball world . Delle Donne had been the nation's top-ranked recruit, and UConn appeared to offer the perfect platform for her development. However, returning home gave her the opportunity to find a different path.
She enrolled at the University of Delaware in fall 2008 and joined its volleyball team as a walk-on. Rather than immediately returning to basketball, she spent her freshman year competing on the court in a different sport.
By the 2009-10 season, Delle Donne had returned to basketball. She quickly established herself as one of college basketball's best players, becoming a two-time consensus All-American and finishing her Delaware career with 3,039 points.
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Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Chicago Sky selected her second overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year before collecting her first MVP award in 2015.
Her greatest team achievement came after joining the Washington Mystics in 2017. In 2019, she earned her second MVP award and helped Washington capture its first WNBA championship.
That season also brought another historic accomplishment. Delle Donne became the first player in WNBA history to join the 50-40-90 club, shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line.
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After multiple back surgeries and an extended absence from the game, she announced her retirement in April 2025. Her journey showed that stepping away from an expected path did not mean giving up on greatness.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
