It's a Donne deal for this WNBA draft pick
A two-time All-American at Delaware and now a promising WNBA player, Delle Donne is a role model for all young athletes.
Elena Delle Donne:
Sky-High BB Dreams It’s a Donne deal for this WNBA draft pick BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA n high school, Elena Delle Donne was called the future LeBron James of women’s basketball. Seven years later, she’s living up to those grand expectations. With unique composure for a WNBA rookie playing for the Chicago Sky, Delle Donne drained the first shot of her professional career on a driving spin move. Seemingly unbothered by the defense, she followed up with a net-dancing three-pointer that set the stage for her 22-point debut. Blending grace and power on the court, the 6-foot-5 Delle Donne makes basketball look easy.
Self-possession is her trademark in athletics, although her path to success has not always been seamless. Highly recruited by the nation’s leading basketball programs, she signed with the top-ranked University of Connecticut for college, but lasted only two days on campus before returning home to Delaware. This was 2008, and Delle Donne appeared to be done with basketball. Although she couldn’t identify exactly what it was about playing for a national championship basketball program that wasn’t right for her, she decided to move on. She enrolled at the University of Delaware and walked onto the volleyball team. “I knew that I had to put my own happiness before my sport,” Delle Donne says.
“There was a great amount IDelle Donne’s goals include winning a WNBA championship and earning a spot on Team USA in the Olympics.
FOR WOMEN ONLY regular contact with her sister and support from her close-knit family allowed things to fall into place at Delaware. “I was happy again having my sister and family just a short drive from campus and was able to truly fall in love with basketball again,” Delle Donne says. “There is no doubt that we are more successful when we enjoy what we are doing!” A year later in 2009, Delle Donne knew she had to get back on the court, so she joined the Delaware team and led them to their first NCAA tournament appearance ever.
The rest is history: Delle Donne became a two-time AllAmerican, led Delaware to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2013, played at the World University games, and was drafted second by the Chicago Sky behind Baylor’s Brittney Griner in the 2013 WNBA draft. In this interview, she shares what it’s like to be a professional athlete as she pursues her goals of winning a WNBA championship and competing with Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.
Elena Delle Donne was drafted second by the Chicago Sky in the 2013 WNBA draft. of pressure on me, but what became most important to me was following my heart.” This tendency to resist other’s expectations may be the secret to Delle “Delaware was the perfect fit for me because I was close to my family, especially my sister,” Delle Donne says, referring to her older sister, Lizzie, who was born deaf, blind and with cerebral BFS: How did you feel when you were chosen second in the WNBA draft? Delle Donne: I had so many emotions when I was drafted second. I was relieved to be chosen by Chicago because it was my first choice.
I also felt an extreme sense of excitement and pride as I was able to see one of my dreams come true.
Blending grace and power on the court, Elena Delle Donne makes basketball look easy. Donne’s tremendous success. At a critical point when many elite players would endure a program that didn’t fit, she carved her own path to achieving her potential. palsy. Delle Donne interacts with her sister through touch and hand-overhand sign language, so if she’s not there in person with Lizzie, the two can’t communicate. The combination of BFS: What are the biggest challenges you face in the WNBA? Delle Donne: The transition to the professional game has been a smooth one thanks to my teammates and coaches.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 The biggest challenge was adjusting to the speed and strength of the players, but my teammates and coaches prepared me well for this in training camp. BFS: How has weightlifting made you a better basketball player? Delle Donne: I have been weightlifting since I was in high school, and it has helped me to prevent injuries and stay healthy. Lifting helps me maintain a strong and efficient body, and that translates into efficiency on the basketball court. BFS: Do you have a hero that you especially admire? Delle Donne: My mom is my hero. Every day she puts my older sister Lizzie’s needs before her own and does so without a single complaint.
She is an unbelievably hard worker and has set an incredible, inspiring example for me throughout my life. BFS: What advice would you give to young female athletes who are interested in playing a sport in college? Delle Donne: Work hard, but more importantly, have fun! As I learned, if you are not enjoying what you are doing, you will not be as successful as you could be if you were truly happy. In addition, when you are in the gym, be sure to focus on the weak points of your game. Too many times I have seen great shooters spend their time in the gym shooting. While this is obviously important, it is also crucial to recognize, address and improve the weak parts of our games.
BFS: Do you have any tips for young high school athletes to survive the college recruiting process and make a good school choice? Delle Donne: Follow your heart! If something doesn’t feel right with a certain school, don’t choose that school just because others want you to. Choose the place that you feel will have the most positive all-around impact on your future.
BFS: How does mental preparation play a role in competing? Delle Donne: Mental preparation is huge for me. If you allow a coach or fan’s comments, or anything outside of the game, to affect you, you will not perform your best. A good example of this is when my shot has been “off” and I feel like I cannot make anything. In these situations it is crucial to remain mentally tough, tell myself that I am a great shooter and the next shot will fall. I am able to stay confident in my shot, keep shooting and get back on track! BFS: What are your basketball career goals?
Delle Donne: My goals for this year are pretty simple: to make the playoffs, something that the Sky has never done before. In the future, I hope to win a WNBA championship, compete with Team USA in the Olympics and just become as successful as I can on the basketball court. BFS: What about your post-playing career goals? Delle Donne: I hope to be able to use my talents to have a positive effect on the lives of people with disabilities through camps, clinics and volunteer work.
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From BFS Magazine — September/October 2013. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
