View source for Elena Delle Donne

{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1989)}}
{{Redirect|Delle Donne|the Italian-Canadian mobster|Raffaele Delle Donne}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
 | name              = Elena Delle Donne
 | image             = 20140814 Elena Delle Donne 2.jpg
 | caption           = Delle Donne at the 2014 World Basketball Festival
 | number            = 
 | position          = [[Small forward]] / [[shooting guard]]
 | height_ft         = 6
 | height_in         = 5
 | weight_lbs        = 187
 | league            = [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]
 | team              = 
 | birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1989|9|5}}
 | birth_place       = [[Wilmington, Delaware]], U.S.
 | highschool        = [[Ursuline Academy (Delaware)|Ursuline Academy]]<br>(Wilmington, Delaware)
 | college           = [[Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's basketball|Delaware]] (2009–2013)
 | draft_year        = 2013
 | draft_round       = 1
 | draft_pick        = 2
 | draft_team        = [[Chicago Sky]]
 | draft_league      = WNBA
 | years1            = {{WNBA Year|2013}}–{{WNBA Year|2016}}
 | team1             = [[Chicago Sky]]
 | years2            = {{WNBA Year|2017}}–{{WNBA Year|2023}}
 | team2             = [[Washington Mystics]]
 | career_start      = 2013
| career_end = 2023
| highlights = * [[List of WNBA champions|WNBA champion]] ([[2019 WNBA Finals|2019]])
* 2× [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award|WNBA MVP]] ({{WNBA Year|2015}}, {{WNBA Year|2019}})
* 7× [[WNBA All-Star Game|WNBA All-Star]] ([[2013 WNBA All-Star Game|2013]]–[[2015 WNBA All-Star Game|2015]], [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game|2017]]–[[2019 WNBA All-Star Game|2019]], [[2023 WNBA All-Star Game|2023]])
* 4× [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA First Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2015}}, {{WNBA Year|2016}}, {{WNBA Year|2018}}, {{WNBA Year|2019}})
* [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA Second Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2013}})
* [[The W25|WNBA 25th Anniversary Team]] (2021)
* [[50–40–90 club]] ({{wnbay|2019}})
* [[WNBA Rookie of the Year Award|WNBA Rookie of the Year]] ({{WNBA Year|2013}})
* [[WNBA All-Rookie Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2013}})
* [[Honda Sports Award]] (2013)
* [[List of Senior CLASS Award women's basketball winners|Senior CLASS Award]] (2013)
* 2× [[List of Women's Basketball Academic All-America Team Members of the Year|Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year]] (2012, 2013)
* 2× All-American – [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|WBCA]], [[United States Basketball Writers Association|USBWA]] (2012, 2013)
* 2× First-team All-American – [[Associated Press|AP]] (2012, 2013)
* Third-team All-American – AP (2010) 
* 3× [[Coastal Athletic Association|CAA]] Player of the Year (2010, 2012, 2013)
* CAA Freshman of the Year (2010)
* 4× First-team All-CAA (2010–2013)
* 3× CAA All-Defensive Team (2010, 2012, 2013)
* CAA All-Freshman Team (2010)
* [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award|Naismith Prep Player of the Year]] (2008)
* [[McDonald's All-American Game|Morgan Wootten Player of the Year]] (2008)
* [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]] ([[2008 McDonald's All-American Girls Game|2008]])
* [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season scoring leaders|WNBA scoring champion]] (2015)
* [[WNBA Peak Performers|WNBA Peak Performer]] (2015)
* [[List of NCAA Division I women's basketball season scoring leaders|NCAA season scoring leader]] (2012)
 | bbr_wnba          = delleel01w
 | wnba_profile      = 203399/elena-delle-donne
 | medal_templates   = 
{{MedalSport|[[Women's basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{bkw|USA}}}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{MedalGold|[[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup|2018 Spain]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[2011 Summer Universiade|World University Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women's World University Games Team|2011 Shenzhen]] |Team}}
}}
'''Elena Delle Donne''' (born September 5, 1989) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne |url=https://www.wnba.com/player/elena-delle-donne/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=Official Site of the WNBA |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526214710/http://www.wnba.com:80/player/elena-delle-donne/ |archive-date=May 26, 2015}}</ref> Delle Donne played college basketball for the [[Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's basketball|Delaware Blue Hens]] from 2009 to 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne - Women's Basketball |url=https://bluehens.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/elena-delle-donne/15656 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=University of Delaware Athletics |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221115011/https://bluehens.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/elena-delle-donne/15656 |url-status=live}}</ref> She was drafted by the [[Chicago Sky]] with the second overall pick of the [[2013 WNBA draft]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onslow |first=Justin |title=Elena Delle Donne Selected 2nd Overall in WNBA Draft by Chicago Sky |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1605474-elena-delle-donne-selected-2nd-overall-in-wnba-draft-by-chicago-sky |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221115118/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1605474-elena-delle-donne-selected-2nd-overall-in-wnba-draft-by-chicago-sky |url-status=live}}</ref> and led the Sky to the [[2014 WNBA Finals]], where they were defeated by the [[Phoenix Mercury]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sky vs. Mercury - WNBA Game Summary - September 9, 2014 |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/game/_/gameId/400582774 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201103455/https://www.espn.com/wnba/game/_/gameId/400582774 |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne was traded to the Washington Mystics in 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=The last Mystics lottery pick was traded for Elena Delle Donne |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/washington-mystics/last-time-mystics-had-lottery-pick-they-traded-elena-delle-donne |access-date=December 21, 2021 |publisher=NBC Sports |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221115319/https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/washington-mystics/last-time-mystics-had-lottery-pick-they-traded-elena-delle-donne |url-status=live}}</ref> and led them to their first WNBA championship in 2019.

Delle Donne has won two [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award]]s ([[2015 WNBA season|2015]], [[2019 WNBA season|2019]]),<ref name=":0" /> been selected to seven All-Star teams, and was the first WNBA player to join the [[50–40–90 club]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/27573501/delle-donne-first-wnba-join-50-40-90-club |title=Delle Donne First WNBA Player to Join 50-40-90 Club |work=ESPN |date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=September 9, 2019 |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910011943/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/27573501/delle-donne-first-wnba-join-50-40-90-club |url-status=live}}</ref> She was named to [[The W25]], the league's list of the top 25 players of its first 25 years, in 2021.<ref name=W25>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |title=WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, 'The W25' |publisher=WNBA |date=September 5, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314042622/https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She is the all-time leader in WNBA career free throw percentage with a mark of 93.7%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WNBA Career Leaders and Records for Free Throw Pct |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/leaders/ft_pct_career.html |access-date=December 22, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127001444/https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/leaders/ft_pct_career.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Delle Donne inherited her {{convert|6|ft|5|in|m|adj=on}} height from both her parents—her father, who played college golf,<ref name=Audacity>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/espnw-delledonne161122/chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-spent-years-learning-accept-height |title=The Audacity of Height |first=Taffy |last=Brodesser-Akner |work=ESPN |date=November 22, 2016 |access-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123051952/http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/espnw-delledonne161122/chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-spent-years-learning-accept-height |url-status=live}}</ref> is {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}, and her mother is {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Ain>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/page/bodyelenadelledonne/chicago-sky-star-elena-delle-donne-talks-free-throws-endurance-dunking-espn-body-issue |title=Delle Donne on battling Lyme disease and her biggest inspiration |first=Morty |last=Ain |magazine=[[ESPN The Magazine]] |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210052942/http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/page/bodyelenadelledonne/chicago-sky-star-elena-delle-donne-talks-free-throws-endurance-dunking-espn-body-issue |url-status=live}}</ref> Her childhood was marked by a struggle to come to terms with her unusual height. According to a 2016 [[ESPN]] story, her first memory was going on a shopping trip when she was three years old and hearing other shoppers tell her mother that an 8-year-old should not be using a pacifier. In third grade, her class was assigned to measure themselves using lengths of paper; she was "humiliated" when her paper extended well beyond those of her classmates. Within two years of that incident, a doctor wanted to start her on injections to stunt her growth; her mother refused. By the time she was in eighth grade, she was already {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}. Additionally, according to the same ESPN piece Delle Donne had to come to terms with having "a body that could do a great many things that the body of her older sister, Lizzie, couldn't." Lizzie was born deaf and blind, is unable to speak, and also has [[cerebral palsy]] and [[autism]].<ref name=Audacity/> In another 2016 ESPN story, Delle Donne credits her mother with helping her accept her height:<ref name=Ain/>

<blockquote>She's 6–2 and my dad is 6–6, so she understood. She was like, "I'm telling you, one day you are going to realize how beautiful your height is." She would always tell me how unique I am and say, "Why try to be like the rest of the pack? Be your own person."</blockquote>

==High school career==
[[File:Elena Delle Donne basketball.jpg|thumb|left|130px|Delle Donne playing for the Ursuline Academy Raiders in 2008]]

Delle Donne gained national recognition as a high school basketball star at [[Ursuline Academy (Delaware)|Ursuline Academy]] in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2021 |title=Elena Delle Donne WNBA Wonder Woman |url=https://queenballers.club/basketball/elena-delle-donne-wnba |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Queen Ballers Club |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120123707/https://queenballers.club/basketball/elena-delle-donne-wnba |url-status=live}}</ref> She led Ursuline to three straight Delaware State Championship titles and was ranked as the number-one overall high school recruit by [[Scout.com]] as well as a [[McDonald's All-American]].<ref name="girlshoops"/> She was the first and only student at Ursuline so far to score 2,000+ points during her high school career and also set the girls' high school national record for consecutive free throws made (80) in 2005–2006.<ref name="Free throw record"/>

Delle Donne was also named a [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|WBCA]] All-American.<ref name="WBCA box score"/> She participated in the 2007 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored 17 points,<ref name="WBCA box score"/> and earned MVP honors for the Red team.<ref name="WBCA HS MVP"/>

She also participated in volleyball.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jeré |date=October 18, 2008 |title=At Pinnacle, Stepping Away From Basketball |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/sports/ncaabasketball/19athlete.html |access-date=December 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228152609/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/sports/ncaabasketball/19athlete.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne won the volleyball DIAA state championship with Ursuline in 2007. She posted a season high 20 kills against [[Padua Academy|Padua]] during a game involving the number one and two teams in the state.

==College career==
[[File:Elena Delle Donne.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Delle Donne playing for the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens in 2010]]
Following an outstanding prep career during which she became the most highly touted women's basketball recruit since [[Candace Parker]], Delle Donne received a basketball scholarship from the [[UConn Huskies women's basketball|University of Connecticut]]. However, in early June 2008, Delle Donne abruptly dropped out of Connecticut's summer school program after just two days. Delle Donne was very close to her family, especially her older sister, Lizzie, who has [[cerebral palsy]] and is [[blindness|blind]] and [[deaf]]. She was not ready to be separated from her family.<ref name=Farnum/> Gene, Elena's brother and the middle child of the Delle Donne family, stated in a 2012 ESPN story on his younger sister:

<blockquote>Her relationship with Lizzie is huge. It's so close. It's a big reason why she is such a homebody who came home from UConn, because she craves to be around Lizzie and to experience Lizzie grabbing her and sniffing her and just spend quality time with her.<ref name=Hays/></blockquote>

A week after leaving Connecticut, Delle Donne said by telephone from her home in Wilmington that she has "a lot of personal issues to fix. Only my family understands what's going on. Right now I am going to take a long personal break."<ref name="break"/> She took a similar break prior to the 2007–08 season in high school.<ref name="hsbreak" />

On August 16, 2008, Delle Donne announced she would not accept the scholarship due to [[Burnout (psychology)|burnout]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jeré |date=October 18, 2008 |title=At Pinnacle, Stepping Away From Basketball |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/sports/ncaabasketball/19athlete.html |access-date=January 20, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228152609/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/sports/ncaabasketball/19athlete.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and instead decided to enroll at the [[University of Delaware]] and join their volleyball team as a [[Walk-on (sports)|walk-on]].<ref name=volleyball/> She played middle hitter at UD for the 2008–09 season.<ref name="EED joins Volleyball team"/> The 2008 Delaware Blue Hens finished their season with a record of 19–16. They were 9–5 in their conference ([[Colonial Athletic Association]]) and won the conference tournament. They earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but lost to [[Oregon Ducks women's basketball|Oregon]] in the first round.<ref name="Media Guide"/> Delle Donne did not continue on the volleyball team in 2009, but joined the basketball team.

On June 2, 2009, Delle Donne announced that she would play basketball for the Blue Hens in the 2009–10 season as a redshirt freshman.<ref name="Elena Delle Donne Biography"/> In 2012, ESPN writer Graham Hays said about her return to the sport "it cannot be complete coincidence that it came the year Gene returned to Delaware and went to work for his dad's company."<ref name=Hays/> In a 2016 interview with ESPN, Delle Donne also recalled a trip she took during the summer of 2009 to the school that Lizzie was attending. While there, she met another woman at the school, a basketball fan who used a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, who told her, "Elena, do everything you can with your abilities, just like we do."<ref name=Audacity/>

Delle Donne had a very productive freshman season. She averaged 26.7 points per game, the third-highest of all Division I women's basketball players.<ref name="FreshmanPPG"/> She scored 54 points in a loss against [[James Madison Dukes women's basketball|James Madison]] on February 18, 2010, which was the highest single-game point total by any Division I female basketball player that season.<ref name="Stats"/> She was named the CAA Rookie of the Week six times, and the player of the week once during 2009–10.<ref name="ROW"/>

She was voted the CAA's "Player of the Year"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Title IX Milestones: Elena Delle Donne (Delaware) |url=https://www.nfhs.org/articles/title-ix-milestones-elena-delle-donne-delaware |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=www.nfhs.org |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125105318/https://www.nfhs.org/articles/title-ix-milestones-elena-delle-donne-delaware |url-status=live}}</ref> and "Rookie of the Year" in women's basketball by CAA coaches, sports information directors and media. This was the first time a player had won both awards in one year since Old Dominion's [[Lucienne Berthieu]] did so in 1999. No men's player has ever won both awards in the same season.<ref name="CAAPOY"/>
 
In her sophomore season, the team started off well, but then Delle Donne began to develop flu-like symptoms. In a game against [[Penn State Lady Lions basketball|Penn State]], she asked to be taken out of the game, something she had never done before. After many tests, the doctors finally diagnosed her with [[Lyme disease]]. She struggled the rest of the season, but she helped her team reach the finals of the conference tournament and an invitation to the [[2011 Women's National Invitation Tournament|Women's NIT]].<ref name=Farnum/>

As a junior, Delle Donne led the nation in scoring, finishing the season with an average of 28.1 points per game. Her prowess attracted many fans to the Blue Hens games, with attendance rising 250 percent from the previous year.<ref name="ESPN"/> On February 16, 2012, Delle Donne scored 42 points in a win over [[Hofstra Pride women's basketball|Hofstra]], eclipsing the 2,000 point mark for her career. Delaware were the CAA champions, qualifying for the [[2012 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament]]. Delle Donne scored 39 out of the Blue Hens' first 56 points in their first round victory over [[Little Rock Trojans women's basketball|UALR]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=320780048 |title=Elena Delle Donne pours in 39 as Delaware rolls |work=ESPN |date=March 18, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324201903/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=320780048 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Delaware led at halftime against [[Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball|Kansas]] in the next game, but despite Delle Donne's 34 points, the Jayhawks still won.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=320800048 |title=Angel Goodrich, defense propel Kansas to Sweet 16 over Elena Delle Donne, Blue Hens |work=ESPN |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324223458/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=320800048 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the 2012–13 season, Delle Donne again fought Lyme disease, missing four games due to the illness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2012 |title=Delaware's Delle Donne battling Lyme flare-up |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8582873/elena-delle-donne-delaware-fightin-blue-hens-battling-lyme-disease-flare-up |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216142739/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8582873/elena-delle-donne-delaware-fightin-blue-hens-battling-lyme-disease-flare-up |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne returned on December 12 against [[Maryland Terrapins women's basketball|Maryland]] and led the team with 19 points and 6 rebounds in a 69–53 loss. This game was the largest crowd (5,089) to ever to see a women's basketball game at the [[Bob Carpenter Center]], the Blue Hens' homecourt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluehens.com/teams/womens-basketball/stories/2012/december/122012a.html |title=Blue Hen Winning Streak Snapped as #9/8 Maryland Pulls Away Late for 69–53 Victory |publisher=BlueHens.com |date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410212705/http://www.bluehens.com/teams/womens-basketball/stories/2012/december/122012a.html |archive-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>

Delle Donne led her team in scoring in 22 regular season games during her senior season, as well as in rebounds in 12 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/womens_basketball/2013Stats/teamcume.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410161011/http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/womens_basketball/2013Stats/teamcume.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |title=Delaware&nbsp;– Season Statistics |publisher=Bluehens.com |year=2013 |access-date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> She scored more than 30 points on five occasions, leading her team to a 27–3 regular season record entering CAA conference tournament play.

After winning the CAA conference tournament, the Blue Hens were the #6 seed in their region of the [[2013 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament]]. Delle Donne led them to victories over #11 [[West Virginia Mountaineers women's basketball|West Virginia]] and #3 [[North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball|North Carolina]]. The Blue Hens then lost to No. 2 [[Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball|Kentucky]], despite Delle Donne's 33 points.

==WNBA career==
[[File:Elena Delle Donne 2015.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Delle Donne at [[Madison Square Garden]], in the Chicago Sky's win over the [[New York Liberty]] in 2015.]]

=== Chicago Sky (2013–2017) ===
Following her collegiate career, Delle Donne was one of twelve players to be invited to the [[2013 WNBA draft]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.bluehens.com/teams/womens-basketball/stories/2013/april/041113a.html |title=Elena Delle Donne Headlines List of Top College Prospects Invited to Attend 2013 WNBA Draft |publisher=University of Delaware |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425055102/http://www.bluehens.com/teams/womens-basketball/stories/2013/april/041113a.html |archive-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref> She was selected second overall in that draft by the [[Chicago Sky]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onslow |first=Justin |title=Elena Delle Donne Selected 2nd Overall in WNBA Draft by Chicago Sky |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1605474-elena-delle-donne-selected-2nd-overall-in-wnba-draft-by-chicago-sky |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221115118/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1605474-elena-delle-donne-selected-2nd-overall-in-wnba-draft-by-chicago-sky |url-status=live}}</ref> a team that went 14–20 in the 2012 season. In her professional debut, Delle Donne scored 22 points against fellow rookie [[Brittney Griner]] and the [[Phoenix Mercury]], in a 102–80 victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=400445722 |title=Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury – Recap |work=ESPN |date=May 27, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827070248/http://scores.espn.go.com/wnba/recap?gameId=400445722 |url-status=live}}</ref> She led all players in votes for the [[2013 WNBA All-Star Game]], the first time a rookie had done so in league history.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.wnba.com/rookie_elena_delle_donne_top_v_2013_07_18.html |title=Rookie Elena Delle Donne Top Vote Getter in 2013 WNBA All-Star Balloting Presented by Boost Mobile |publisher=WNBA |date=July 18, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803203544/http://www.wnba.com/rookie_elena_delle_donne_top_v_2013_07_18.html |archive-date=August 3, 2013}}</ref> However, a concussion forced her to miss the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/9511551/2013-wnba-all-star-game-elena-delle-donne-replaced-erika-de-souza |title=2013 WNBA All-Star Game – Elena Delle Donne replaced by Erika de Souza |work=ESPN |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-date=August 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805162936/http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/9511551/2013-wnba-all-star-game-elena-delle-donne-replaced-erika-de-souza |url-status=live}}</ref> After the All-Star break, Delle Donne returned to action, and continued to play at a high level. The Sky not only qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but they also earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Delle Donne was named the 2013 Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UD Messenger - Delle Donne - Rookie of the year |url=https://www1.udel.edu/udmessenger/vol21no4/stories/sports-delledonne.html |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=www1.udel.edu |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125101816/https://www1.udel.edu/udmessenger/vol21no4/stories/sports-delledonne.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delle Donne named WNBA rookie of the year |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2013/09/20/elena-delle-donne-wnba-rookie-of-the-year/2841353/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150424/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2013/09/20/elena-delle-donne-wnba-rookie-of-the-year/2841353/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2014 regular season had Delle Donne playing only 16 games due to a flare-up of [[Lyme disease]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2021 |title=Elena Delle Donne WNBA Wonder Woman |url=https://queenballers.club/basketball/elena-delle-donne-wnba |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Queen Ballers Club |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120123707/https://queenballers.club/basketball/elena-delle-donne-wnba |url-status=live}}</ref> averaging less than 19 minutes in the final seven games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2014 |title=Isaacson: Chicago's Delle Donne savors return to court |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/11293729/wnba-chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-savors-return-court |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120124533/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/11293729/wnba-chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-savors-return-court |url-status=live}}</ref> Eventually, she rose up during the playoffs, helping the Sky defeat the [[Atlanta Dream]] in the first round, scoring 34 points—including a game-winning shot with 8.2 seconds left in overtime—as the Sky erased a 17-point deficit with 8:12 left in regulation in the deciding game. However, Delle Donne was elbowed while going for a rebound in the Atlanta series, and suffered a back injury that reduced her play time in the following round against the [[Indiana Fever]]. The Sky still got to the WNBA finals, but they lost to the Phoenix Mercury. Delle Donne played only ten minutes in the first game; she took medication to play 68 minutes and score 45 points over the final two games.<ref name=wc>{{cite web |first=Kevin |last=Tresolini |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/sky/2014/09/24/elena-delle-donne-offseason-rehab-home-delaware/16191011/ |title=Elena Delle Donne hopes home cooking will be the cure |work=USA Today |date=September 25, 2014 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202034546/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/sky/2014/09/24/elena-delle-donne-offseason-rehab-home-delaware/16191011/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/13011355/chicago-sky-need-elena-delle-donne-more-ever |title=Sky need big year from Delle Donne |work=ESPN |date=June 2, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325044545/http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/13011355/chicago-sky-need-elena-delle-donne-more-ever |url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 16, 2015, Delle Donne was named the WNBA MVP for the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sky's Elena Delle Donne Named 2015 WNBA Most Valuable Player Presented By Samsung |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/elena-delle-donne-named-2015-wnba-mvp/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918030503/http://www.wnba.com/news/elena-delle-donne-named-2015-wnba-mvp/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Adam |title=Elena Delle Donne Named 2015 WNBA MVP: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567791-elena-delle-donne-named-2015-wnba-mvp-latest-details-comments-and-reaction |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207102049/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567791-elena-delle-donne-named-2015-wnba-mvp-latest-details-comments-and-reaction |url-status=live}}</ref> She scored a league-high 23.4 points per game, shot a career-high 95% from the free throw line, and was ranked third in the league in rebounding.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perrotta |first=Tom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/basketballs-best-free-throw-shooter-isnt-in-the-nba-1445790601 |title=Basketball's Best Free-Throw Shooter Isn't in the NBA |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 27, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218160607/http://www.wsj.com/articles/basketballs-best-free-throw-shooter-isnt-in-the-nba-1445790601 |url-status=live}}</ref> She received 38 of 39 first-place votes.<ref name=mvp>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Phil |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-elena-delle-donne-named-wnba-mvp-20150916-story.html |title=Sky's Elena Delle Donne near-unanimous choice for WNBA MVP |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420234402/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-elena-delle-donne-named-wnba-mvp-20150916-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> During the regular season, Delle Donne scored a career-high 45 points in an overtime win against the [[Atlanta Dream]], while making 19 consecutive free throws, a WNBA record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/player/elena-delle-donne/ |title=Elena Delle Donne |publisher=WNBA |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119131847/http://www.wnba.com/player/elena-delle-donne/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Elena Delle Donne-20170914.jpg|thumb|upright=.6|Delle Donne with the Washington Mystics, 2017 WNBA semifinals]]
Delle Donne has played in two [[NBA All-Star Celebrity Game]]s, in [[2014 NBA All-Star Game|2014]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roling |first=Chris |title=NBA Celebrity All-Star Game 2014 Rosters: Team Simmons vs. Team Rose Preview |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1958358-nba-celebrity-all-star-game-2014-rosters-team-simmons-vs-team-rose-preview |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113111808/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1958358-nba-celebrity-all-star-game-2014-rosters-team-simmons-vs-team-rose-preview |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[2016 NBA All-Star Game|2016]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/ct-elena-delle-donne-reunites-with-kevin-hart-for-nba-all-star-celebrity-game-20160114-story.html |title=Elena Delle Donne reunites with Kevin Hart for NBA All-Star Celebrity Game |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605112307/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/ct-elena-delle-donne-reunites-with-kevin-hart-for-nba-all-star-celebrity-game-20160114-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2016 season, Delle Donne averaged 21.5 points per game,<ref name="Polacek">{{Cite web |last=Polacek |first=Scott |title=Elena Delle Donne to Mystics: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690204-elena-delle-donne-to-mystics-latest-trade-details-comments-and-reaction |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182700/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690204-elena-delle-donne-to-mystics-latest-trade-details-comments-and-reaction |url-status=live}}</ref> helping the Sky to another playoff berth as they finished 18–16. With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Sky were the No. 4 seed in the league, which earned them a bye to the second round. Unfortunately, Delle Donne had suffered an injury on her right [[thumb]] in a loss to the [[Washington Mystics]]. Delle Donne had season-ending surgery that kept her out for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellentuck |first=Matt |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2016/9/12/12894680/elena-delle-donne-injury-thumb-surgery-playoffs |title=WNBA star Elena Delle Donne to undergo thumb surgery just before the playoffs |work=[[SB Nation]] |date=September 12, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019065538/http://www.sbnation.com/2016/9/12/12894680/elena-delle-donne-injury-thumb-surgery-playoffs |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/17621380/thumb-injury-sidelines-chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-second-round-playoffs |title=Thumb injury sidelines Chicago Sky's Elena Delle Donne for second round of playoffs |work=ESPN |date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102104/http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/17621380/thumb-injury-sidelines-chicago-sky-elena-delle-donne-second-round-playoffs |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne played 28 games in the season before the injury. Without Delle Donne, the Sky still had a decent playoff run, advancing to the semifinals (the last round before the WNBA finals) where they lost 3–1 to the eventual champion [[Los Angeles Sparks]].

=== Washington Mystics (2017–2023) ===
With Delle Donne approaching restricted free agent status and her rookie contract expiring in the 2017 offseason, she was traded to the [[Washington Mystics]] in exchange for [[Stefanie Dolson]],<ref name="Polacek"/> [[Kahleah Copper]] and the second overall pick in the [[2017 WNBA draft]] just a couple days before the start of free agency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690204-elena-delle-donne-to-mystics-latest-trade-details-comments-and-reaction |title=Elena Delle Donne to Mystics: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction |first=Scott |last=Polacek |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182700/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690204-elena-delle-donne-to-mystics-latest-trade-details-comments-and-reaction |url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 14, 2017, Delle Donne made her debut for the Mystics, scoring a team-high 26 points in an 89–74 win over the [[San Antonio Stars]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnba.com/game/20170514sanwas/ |title=05/14/17: San Antonio Stars @ Washington Mystics |publisher=WNBA |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190149/https://www.wnba.com/game/20170514sanwas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 19, 2017, Delle Donne scored a season-high 27 points in a 99–89 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnba.com/game/20170519/WASLAS/ |title=05/19/17: Washington Mystics @ Los Angeles Sparks |publisher=WNBA |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190139/https://www.wnba.com/game/20170519/WASLAS/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During [[Emma Meesseman]]'s absence, Delle Donne played outside her natural position as the starting [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]] for the Mystics. On July 14, 2017, Delle Donne suffered a sprained right ankle in a game against [[Indiana Fever]], which caused her to miss the [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Albert |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Elena Delle Donne will miss the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game due to ankle sprain |url=https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/7/18/15994342/elena-delle-donne-miss-2017-wnba-all-star-game |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Bullets Forever |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120125722/https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/7/18/15994342/elena-delle-donne-miss-2017-wnba-all-star-game |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 25, 2017, Delle Donne scored a new season-high of 29 points along with 10 rebounds in an 85–76 win against the [[San Antonio Stars]] after returning from her ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/25/delle-donnes-29-points-10-rebounds-lead-mystics-by/ |title=Elena Delle Donne's 29 points, 10 rebounds lead Mystics by Stars |website=The Washington Times |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182811/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/25/delle-donnes-29-points-10-rebounds-lead-mystics-by/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On August 1, 2017, Delle Donne suffered a left thumb injury while playing against the Atlanta Dream and was ruled out for two weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/elena-delle-donne-least-two-weeks-thumb-injury/ |title=Elena Delle Donne Out At Least Two Weeks With Thumb Injury |publisher=WNBA |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190340/https://www.wnba.com/news/elena-delle-donne-least-two-weeks-thumb-injury/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On August 25, 2017, she returned and scored 15 points in a 74–66 loss to the [[New York Liberty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.excellesports.com/news/liberty-spoil-delle-donnes-return/ |title=Liberty hold Mystics to six fourth quarter points, spoil Delle Donne's return |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921190942/http://www.excellesports.com/news/liberty-spoil-delle-donnes-return/ |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 1, 2017, Delle Donne scored a new season-high of 37 points along with a career-high 6 three-pointers in a 110–106 overtime win against the [[Seattle Storm]] as the Mystics secured a playoff berth as the No. 6 seed in the league with an 18–16 record.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gene |last=Wang |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/mystics/mystics-hold-off-storm-in-ot-as-sue-bird-becomes-wnba-assist-leader/2017/09/01/bce382aa-8f37-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html |title=Mystics hold off Storm in OT as Sue Bird becomes WNBA assist leader |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 1, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905211022/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/mystics/mystics-hold-off-storm-in-ot-as-sue-bird-becomes-wnba-assist-leader/2017/09/01/bce382aa-8f37-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In the first round elimination game, the Mystics defeated the [[Dallas Wings]] 86–76, Delle Donne scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/elena-delle-donne-mystics-hold-off-wings-to-advance-in-wnba-playoffs/2017/09/06/53aaaf3c-9335-11e7-89fa-bb822a46da5b_story.html |title=Elena Delle Donne, Mystics hold off Wings to advance in WNBA playoffs |newspaper=Washington Post |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908040617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/elena-delle-donne-mystics-hold-off-wings-to-advance-in-wnba-playoffs/2017/09/06/53aaaf3c-9335-11e7-89fa-bb822a46da5b_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> They advanced to the second round elimination game, where they defeated the #3-seeded New York Liberty, 82–68, advancing to the semi-finals, making it the first time in franchise history where the Mystics have advanced past the second round. Delle Donne scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnba.com/game/20170910/WASNYL/ |title=09/10/17: Washington Mystics @ New York Liberty |publisher=WNBA |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603182959/https://www.wnba.com/game/20170910/WASNYL/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In the semi-finals, the Mystics were defeated by the [[Minnesota Lynx]] in a 3-game sweep.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Elle |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Recap: Mystics eliminated from playoffs in 81-70 loss |url=https://www.bulletsforever.com/2017/9/17/16322906/washington-mystics-minnesota-lynx-game-3-recap-final-score |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Bullets Forever |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113111206/https://www.bulletsforever.com/2017/9/17/16322906/washington-mystics-minnesota-lynx-game-3-recap-final-score |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2018 season, with Meesseman sitting out the season to play for Team Belgium in the FIBA World Tournament,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Albert |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Meesseman and Team Belgium are in their first World Cup |url=https://www.bulletsforever.com/2018/9/21/17874744/belgium-2018-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-emma-meesseman |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=Bullets Forever |language=en |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216145042/https://www.bulletsforever.com/2018/9/21/17874744/belgium-2018-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-emma-meesseman |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne played at the power forward position in the starting lineup. On June 13, 2018, Delle Donne scored a season-high 36 points in a 95–91 victory over the Connecticut Sun.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article213145409.html |title=Mystics blow 30-point lead, then rally past Sun, 95–91 |website=The News Tribune |url-status=dead |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004814/http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article213145409.html}}</ref> After scoring 23 points in a 77–80 loss to the [[Atlanta Dream]], Delle Donne became the fastest player in WNBA history to score 3,000 points, completing the feat in 148 games. The previous record was held by [[Diana Taurasi]] and [[Seimone Augustus]], who both completed the feat in 151 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/video/elena-delle-donne-reaches-3000-career-points/ |title=Elena Delle Donne Reaches 3,000 Career Points |publisher=WNBA |date=July 15, 2018 |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194816/http://www.wnba.com/video/elena-delle-donne-reaches-3000-career-points/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne was voted into the [[2018 WNBA All-Star Game]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota's Moore, Washington's Delle Donne Lead After First Returns of WNBA All-Star Voting 2018 Presented by Verizon |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesotas-moore-washingtons-delle-donne-lead-after-first-returns-of-wnba-all-star-voting-2018-presented-by-verizon/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120125554/https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesotas-moore-washingtons-delle-donne-lead-after-first-returns-of-wnba-all-star-voting-2018-presented-by-verizon/ |url-status=live}}</ref> receiving her fifth all-star appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 WNBA All-Stars Announced; Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker To Serve As Player-Captains |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/2018-wnba-all-stars-announced-elena-delle-donne-candace-parker-captains/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113105050/https://www.wnba.com/news/2018-wnba-all-stars-announced-elena-delle-donne-candace-parker-captains/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of regular season, Delle Donne averaged 20.7 points per game. The Mystics were the number three seed with a 22–12 record, receiving a bye to the second round elimination game. The Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 96–64, advancing to the semi-finals for the second year in a row. Delle Donne scored 19 points in the victory. In the semi-finals, the Mystics faced the number 2 seed Atlanta Dream, Delle Donne scored 32 points in Game one, lifting the Mystics to an 87–84 victory. The Mystics ended up winning the series in a hard-fought five-game series, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, the Mystics were swept by the Storm in the Finals.

During the 2019 season, Delle Donne was voted into the WNBA all-star game,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Takeaways From The 2019 WNBA All-Star Draft |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/seven-takeaways-from-the-2019-wnba-all-star-draft/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113105338/https://www.wnba.com/news/seven-takeaways-from-the-2019-wnba-all-star-draft/ |url-status=live}}</ref> making it her 6th all-star appearance and was also named Team Captain after receiving the top two votes among all-stars in the league for the new all-star game voting format.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/7/22/20703689/2019-wnba-all-star-game-preparation-guide-aja-wilson-elena-delle-donne |title=WNBA All-Star Weekend 2019: A guide to get you ready for the big game |first=Tamryn |last=Spruill |date=July 22, 2019 |website=Swish Appeal |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014045916/https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/7/22/20703689/2019-wnba-all-star-game-preparation-guide-aja-wilson-elena-delle-donne |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 30, 2019, Delle Donne scored a season-high 33 points in a 99–93 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/7/31/20748043/wnba-recap-washington-mystics-phoenix-mercury-elena-delle-donne-kristi-toliver-brittney-griner |title=Delle Donne scores season-high 33 points in Mystics' 99-93 win over Mercury |first=Albert |last=Lee |date=July 31, 2019 |website=Swish Appeal |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014045919/https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/7/31/20748043/wnba-recap-washington-mystics-phoenix-mercury-elena-delle-donne-kristi-toliver-brittney-griner |url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of the season and with the help of Meesseman's return, the Mystics finished as the number 1 seed in the league with a 26–8 record, receiving a double-bye to the semi-finals. During the playoffs it was announced that Delle Donne had won the MVP award, making it her second career MVP award. She also made the All-WNBA First Team and finished the regular season with a new career-high in field goal percentage. In the semi-finals, the Mystics defeated the [[Las Vegas Aces]] 3–1 to advance to the WNBA Finals for the second year in a row, also making it Delle Donne's third finals appearance. During the finals, Delle Donne battled through injury, with a 1–0 Mystics' series lead, she left Game 2 with back spasms in which the Mystics lost, tying the series 1–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://highposthoops.com/2019/10/01/elena-delle-donne-leaves-game-2-back-spasms-wnba-finals/ |title=Elena Delle Donne leaves Game 2 with back spasms |date=October 1, 2019 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014050931/https://highposthoops.com/2019/10/01/elena-delle-donne-leaves-game-2-back-spasms-wnba-finals/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, she continued to play through injury for the rest of the series and help the Mystics win the WNBA championship after defeating the [[Connecticut Sun]] in five games, earning Delle Donne her first WNBA championship. Delle Donne also became the first woman to join the prestigious [[50–40–90 club]] (50% field goals, 40% 3-point shooting and 90% free throws over a single season), marking great all-around shooters. Only nine men had previously achieved the feat in an NBA season: [[Larry Bird]] (twice consecutively), [[Steve Nash]] (four times in five seasons), [[Stephen Curry]], [[Kevin Durant]], [[Reggie Miller]], [[Dirk Nowitzki]], [[Mark Price]], [[Malcolm Brogdon]] and [[Kyrie Irving]].

In 2020, Delle Donne opted to sit out the entire season due to health concerns and preexisting risk factors with the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Elena Delle Donne won't be paid if she sits out WNBA season after medical exemption was denied |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/13/elena-delle-donne-wont-be-paid-if-she-sits-out-wnba-season-after-medical-exemption-was-denied/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405062401/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/13/elena-delle-donne-wont-be-paid-if-she-sits-out-wnba-season-after-medical-exemption-was-denied/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She had been denied medical opt out by the league despite recommendation by her physician to not play in the [[IMG Academy|bubble]] to avoid any risk of exposure to the virus; however, the Mystics were able to resolve the issue and decided to pay Delle Donne her full salary for the season while being absent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insider.com/washington-mystics-pay-elena-delle-donne-wnba-salary-opt-out-2020-7 |title=The Washington Mystics stepped up and will pay Elena Delle Donne's WNBA salary even if she opts out of 2020 season over coronavirus concerns |first=Meredith |last=Cash |website=Insider |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405062512/https://www.businessinsider.com/washington-mystics-pay-elena-delle-donne-wnba-salary-opt-out-2020-7 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insider.com/wnba-elena-delle-donne-medical-opt-out-rejected-no-pay-2020-7 |title=The WNBA won't pay its top star to sit out despite a note from her doctor suggesting she avoid the 'bubble' |first=Meredith |last=Cash |website=Insider |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405062504/https://www.businessinsider.com/wnba-elena-delle-donne-medical-opt-out-rejected-no-pay-2020-7 |url-status=live}}</ref> Without Delle Donne and less of her supporting cast, the Mystics struggled to defend their title as they barely made the playoffs as the number 8 seed with a 9–13 record in the shortened 22-game season; they lost 85–84 to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round elimination game. Delle Donne was limited to three games during the 2021 WNBA season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/d/delleel01w.html |title=Elena Delle Donne WNBA Stats |access-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204436/https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/d/delleel01w.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2022 |title=Delle Donne: Will be ready to play after 'rebirth' |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33195603/elena-delle-donne-says-feels-phenomenal-excited-washington-mystics-season-free-agent-additions |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113113859/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33195603/elena-delle-donne-says-feels-phenomenal-excited-washington-mystics-season-free-agent-additions |url-status=live}}</ref> During that season, she was named to [[The W25]] as one of the top 25 players of the league's first 25 years.<ref name=W25/>

In February 2024, Delle Donne announced that she would step away from basketball and did not sign the contract the Mystics had offered her.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Sources: Delle Donne taking break from hoops |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/39480631/mystics-elena-delle-donne-stepping-away-basketball |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

On April 4, 2025, Delle Donne announced her retirement from professional basketball via her Instagram.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Sources: Elena Delle Donne shockingly retires with a heartfelt Instagram post |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2025/04/04/elena-delle-donne-wnba-retire-heartfelt-instagram-post/82865133007/ |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Elena Delle Donne listens to body, announces retirement |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44531899/elena-delle-donne-listens-body-announces-retirement |work=[[ESPN]] |date=April 4, 2025 |access-date=April 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Overseas career ==
Unlike the vast majority of WNBA players, Delle Donne has not played much professionally overseas, choosing instead to spend the traditional basketball season in the United States to help care for her sister, Lizzie.<ref name=tribune>{{cite news |url=http://www.theplayerstribune.com/elena-delle-donne-sister/ |author=Delle Donne, Elena |title=Lizzie: Letter to my Younger Sister |work=The Players Tribune |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220124955/http://www.theplayerstribune.com/elena-delle-donne-sister/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Her first experience in an overseas league did not come until 2017, when she signed a short-term deal to play for the [[Women's Chinese Basketball Association|Chinese]] team [[Shanxi Xing Rui Flame|Shanxi]] in that league's playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delle Donne heading back to US after Lyme Disease flare up |date=January 25, 2017 |url=https://www.si.com/wnba/2017/01/25/ap-bkl-delle-donne-china |access-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607140449/https://www.si.com/wnba/2017/01/25/ap-bkl-delle-donne-china |url-status=live}}</ref> Her China sojourn ended prematurely when a flare-up of Lyme disease forced her to return to the US.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/18552312/elena-delle-donne-heading-back-us-china-lyme-disease-flare-up |title=Elena Delle Donne returning to U.S. after Lyme disease flare-up |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130131043/http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/18552312/elena-delle-donne-heading-back-us-china-lyme-disease-flare-up |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delle Donne heading back to US after Lyme disease flare up |url=https://whyy.org/articles/delle-donne-heading-back-to-us-after-lyme-disease-flare-up/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=WHYY |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207103650/https://whyy.org/articles/delle-donne-heading-back-to-us-after-lyme-disease-flare-up/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==National team career==
[[File:Della Donne-20170914.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Delle Donne shooting a free throw in 2017]]
During her college days, Delle Donne was selected to the 2011 USA Basketball Team for the [[World University Games]] played August 12–23 in [[Shenzhen, China]].<ref name="ol">{{cite web |last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/22/elena-delle-donne-olympics-basketball-training-camp/ |title=Elena Delle Donne nervous as Olympic tryout camp opens |publisher=NBC Sports |date=February 22, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528205333/http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/22/elena-delle-donne-olympics-basketball-training-camp/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne |url=https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/delle-donne-elena.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527014045/http://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/delle-donne-elena.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=www.usab.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Delle Donne led the team to a gold medal with a perfect 6–0 record and averaged 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. In the Championship game won by the USA 101–66 over [[Chinese Taipei women's national basketball team|Taiwan]], Delle Donne scored 18 points on 8–14 shooting and led the team with 11 rebounds and 8 assists.

While Delle Donne was considered for the [[United States women's national basketball team|U.S. team]] at the [[2014 FIBA World Championship for Women|2014 World Championship]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne |url=https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/delle-donne-elena.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527014045/http://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/delle-donne-elena.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=www.usab.com |language=en-US}}</ref> she was cut due to the back injury suffered in the WNBA Playoffs.<ref name=wc/>

On April 27, 2016, Delle Donne was named to the 2016 United States team that competed at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/skys-delle-donne-headed-for-olympics-ready-to-play-for-auriemma/ |title=Sky's Delle Donne headed for Olympics, ready to play for Auriemma |last=Arnold |first=Jeff |date=April 27, 2016 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629192921/http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/skys-delle-donne-headed-for-olympics-ready-to-play-for-auriemma/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tresolini |first=Kevin |title=Delaware native Delle Donne named to U.S. Olympic team |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/college/ud/2016/04/27/delle-donne-named-us-olympic-team/83587278/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=The News Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405062512/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/college/ud/2016/04/27/delle-donne-named-us-olympic-team/83587278/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During the U.S. team's eighth gold medal campaign, she was a role player, starting off the bench in seven games and sitting out the game against  [[China women's national basketball team|China]] due to an eye injury received during practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-elena-delle-donne-usa-spain-greenstein-spt-0821-20160820-column.html |title=Sky's Elena Delle Donne on first Olympic gold medal: 'Somebody pinch me' |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/14/delle-donne-misses-us-win-over-china-eye-injury/88722482/ |title=Delle Donne misses U.S. win over China with eye injury |publisher=Delawareonline.com |access-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814001544/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/14/delle-donne-misses-us-win-over-china-eye-injury/88722482/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. team won the gold medal as they defeated [[Spain]] 101–72.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio 2016 basketball women Results |url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rio-2016/results/basketball/basketball-women |access-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130173424/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rio-2016/results/basketball/basketball-women |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne is the sixth gold medalist hailing from Delaware.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/20/delle-donne-wins-olympic-gold-medal-us-hoops/89042060/ |title=Elena Delle Donne, US basketball win Olympic gold |publisher=Delawareonline.com |access-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225204627/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/20/delle-donne-wins-olympic-gold-medal-us-hoops/89042060/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Delle Donne was born in Wilmington, Delaware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |title=WNBA player who won gold in Rio gave every child born at a Delaware hospital a new pair of shoes and a powerful message |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/wnba-player-elena-delle-donne-nike-shoes-2016-8 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113110857/https://www.businessinsider.com/wnba-player-elena-delle-donne-nike-shoes-2016-8 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her parents are Ernie, a [[Real estate development|real estate developer]], and Joanie. Her older brother, Gene, played college football as a [[tight end]], first at [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]], then at [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee]]. After he graduated from Middle Tennessee in 2009, he returned to Delaware to work for their father's company.<ref name=Hays/> Her older sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie), is blind, deaf, [[autistic]] and has cerebral palsy. Delle Donne normally cares for Lizzie during the WNBA offseason.<ref name=tribune/>

In 2008, during her senior year in high school, Delle Donne was diagnosed with [[Lyme disease]] after being bitten by an infected [[tick]] on the property of her family's home in Delaware.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140620/sports/140629800/ |title=Delle Donne opens up about battling Lyme disease |first=Patricia Babcock |last=McGraw |date=June 20, 2014 |website=Daily Herald |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184301/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140620/sports/140629800/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne has stated that she takes "around 50 supplements a day" and maintains healthy eating to combat the disease.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/page/bodyelenadelledonne/chicago-sky-star-elena-delle-donne-talks-free-throws-endurance-dunking-espn-body-issue |title=Delle Donne: 'We are the most elite players in the world' |date=July 6, 2016 |work=ESPN |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716005240/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/page/bodyelenadelledonne/chicago-sky-star-elena-delle-donne-talks-free-throws-endurance-dunking-espn-body-issue |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of her condition, she opted not to play in the 2020 WNBA season to limit her exposure to the coronavirus.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Coy |last1=Wire |first2=Jill |last2=Martin |title=Elena Delle Donne on medical opt-out denial: 'I was shocked' |date=July 15, 2020 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/15/sport/elena-delle-donne-wnba-opt-out-denied-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=July 16, 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716103948/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/15/sport/elena-delle-donne-wnba-opt-out-denied-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Delle Donne also struggled with back pain as early as 2014, and after the 2019 WNBA finals teammate [[Natasha Cloud]] revealed Delle Donne had been playing with three [[herniated disc]]s, operated in January 2020. During recovery she felt leg pain that made her go through a second surgery, during which Delle Donne discovered to have [[spinal stenosis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/elena-delle-donne-back-injury-recovery/|title=Elena Delle Donne has ‘a new back,’ but she’s still waiting on her comeback|date=June 24, 2021|author=Hatfield, Jenn}}</ref>

In February 2014, Delle Donne was named a [[Special Olympics]] Global Ambassador.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/Press/2014/Elena_Delle_Donne_Global_Ambassador.aspx |title=Elena Delle Donne Named Special Olympics Global Ambassador |publisher=Special Olympics |date=February 7, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711082520/http://specialolympics.org/Press/2014/Elena_Delle_Donne_Global_Ambassador.aspx |archive-date=July 11, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2014 |title=Delle Donne a Special Olympics ambassador |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/10419058/espnw-wnba-all-star-elena-delle-donne-named-special-olympics-global-ambassador |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607140450/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/10419058/espnw-wnba-all-star-elena-delle-donne-named-special-olympics-global-ambassador |url-status=live}}</ref> She also played in the third annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game during All-Star weekend,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fifth Annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game To Tip Off in Toronto – NBA Cares |url=https://cares.nba.com/unified-game/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=cares.nba.com |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216144413/https://cares.nba.com/unified-game/ |url-status=live}}</ref> alongside Special Olympics athletes, NBA legends and current WNBA and NBA players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/cares/unifiedgame_as2014.html |title=NBA Cares: Third Annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports® Basketball Game Tips Off at NBA All-Star 2014 |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317165613/http://www.nba.com/cares/unifiedgame_as2014.html |archive-date=March 17, 2014}}</ref> Delle Donne plans to create The Elena Delle Donne Charitable Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foundation |url=https://www.elenadelledonne.com/foundation |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=Elena Delle Donne |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120190820/https://www.elenadelledonne.com/foundation |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Jacquelyn |title=Chicago Sky Basketball Player Starts Charitable Foundation |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-sky-basketball-elena-delle-donne-rio-olympics-charitable-foundation/56523/ |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=NBC Chicago |date=July 29, 2016 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607140449/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-sky-basketball-elena-delle-donne-rio-olympics-charitable-foundation/56523/ |url-status=live}}</ref> which will combine initiatives for both the Special Olympics and Lyme disease awareness.<ref name=tribune/>

In 2016, Delle Donne posed nude for ESPN’s ''[[The Body Issue]]'' magazine and was one of the athletes featured on a cover.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delle Donne on battling Lyme disease and her biggest inspiration |date=July 6, 2016 |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/page/boyelenadelledonne/chicago-sky-star-elena-delle-donne-talks-free-throws-endurance-dunking-espn-body-issue |access-date=June 28, 2025 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Delle Donne appeared in the issue because she wanted to help people who feel insecure about their bodies like she did when she was growing up:

<blockquote>It’s such an empowering issue because it shows the different shapes and sizes of all kinds of athletes — this isn’t a supermodel issue, you know? It’s not about being the perfect size, perfect shape, or having the perfect face or hair. It’s about the work, the time, and energy that we put into our bodies, and how empowering that can be to an everyday person. They’re like, “Hey, that athlete, she’s really tall. That one is a little thicker.” <ref>{{cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne on Stripping Down for the ESPN ‘Body Issue’ |date=July 6, 2016 |url=https://www.thecut.com/2016/07/elena-delle-donne-2016-espn-body-issue-cover.html |access-date=June 30, 2025 |publisher=The Cut}}</ref> </blockquote>

Delle Donne announced her engagement to her longtime girlfriend Amanda Clifton in an August 2016 issue of ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagoinc/ct-elena-delle-donne-engagement-vogue-20160803-story.html |last1=Hine |first1=Chris |last2=Thompson |first2=Phil |title=Elena Delle Donne engaged, comes out: 'I'm not at all going to hide anything' |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421041014/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagoinc/ct-elena-delle-donne-engagement-vogue-20160803-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 3, 2017, Delle Donne and Clifton married.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/story/_/id/21284047/elena-delle-donne-amanda-clifton-awesome-wedding-6-foot-4-cake |title=Elena Delle Donne and Amanda Clifton have awesome wedding with 6-foot-4 cake |work=ESPN |date=November 4, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184311/https://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/story/_/id/21284047/elena-delle-donne-amanda-clifton-awesome-wedding-6-foot-4-cake |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Endorsement deals==
Since being drafted in the WNBA, Delle Donne has signed multiple endorsement deals with different companies. In 2013, Delle Donne signed endorsement deals with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and [[DuPont]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasserman signs WNBA's Rookie of the Year Delle Donne |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2013/11/04/Labor-and-Agents/Labor-and-Agents.aspx |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |date=November 4, 2013 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113105413/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2013/11/04/Labor-and-Agents/Labor-and-Agents.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> a chemical company which is based in her hometown [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wnbas_delle_donne_pens_endorsement_deal |title=WNBA's Delle Donne pens endorsement deal - SportsPro Media |website=sportspromedia.com |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183353/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wnbas_delle_donne_pens_endorsement_deal |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/06/30/fan-interest-in-rookies-leads-the-wnba-to-unprecedented-viewership-numbers/ |title=Fan Interest In Rookies Leads The WNBA To Unprecedented Viewership Numbers |first=Alicia |last=Jessop |website=Forbes |access-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104014010/https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/06/30/fan-interest-in-rookies-leads-the-wnba-to-unprecedented-viewership-numbers/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Delle Donne signed a representation agreement with [[Octagon (sports agency)|Octagon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150901/BLOGS04/150909992/chicago-sky-s-elena-delle-donne-signs-with-new-marketing-agency |title=Sky's Delle Donne signs with new marketing agency |date=September 1, 2015 |website=Crain's Chicago Business |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184218/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150901/BLOGS04/150909992/chicago-sky-s-elena-delle-donne-signs-with-new-marketing-agency |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Octagon aims to grow Delle Donne's endorsement portfolio |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2015/08/31/Labor-and-Agents/Labor-and-Agents.aspx |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |date=August 31, 2015 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113105817/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2015/08/31/Labor-and-Agents/Labor-and-Agents.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref>

She is also one of three WNBA players to have career mode icons in ''[[NBA Live 19]]'' alongside [[Candace Parker]] and [[Brittney Griner]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2018 |title="NBA Live 19" to feature female create-a-player options |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/story/_/id/24207460/nba-live-19-feature-female-create-player-option-first |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005214127/http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/24207460/nba-live-19-feature-female-create-player-option-first |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 92%; white-space: nowrap;"
|+ '''Legend'''
|-
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;GP
| Games played
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;&nbsp;GS&nbsp;
| Games started
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;MPG&nbsp;
| Minutes per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;FG%&nbsp;
| [[Field goal (basketball)|Field goal]] percentage
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;3P%&nbsp;
| [[Three-point field goal|3-point field goal]] percentage
|-
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;FT%&nbsp;
| [[Free throw]] percentage
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;RPG&nbsp;
| [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]] per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;APG&nbsp;
| [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]] per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;SPG&nbsp;
| [[Steal (basketball)|Steals]] per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;BPG&nbsp;
| [[Block (basketball)|Blocks]] per game
|-
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;TO&nbsp;
| [[Turnover (basketball)|Turnovers]] per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;PPG&nbsp;
| Points per game
| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;'''Bold'''&nbsp;
| Career high
| style="background-color: #cfecec; border: 1px solid black" | &nbsp;*&nbsp;
| Led Division I
|}

===College===
{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2009–10
|style="text-align:left;"|Delaware 
||29||28||'''37.5'''||.479||.413||.898||8.8||1.9||'''1.3'''||2.0||2.4||26.7
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2010–11
|style="text-align:left;"|Delaware
||22||21||35.6||.419||.350||'''.944'''||7.8||1.8||0.9||'''2.6'''||2.5||25.3
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2011–12
|style="text-align:left;"|Delaware
||'''33'''||'''32'''||33.8||'''.520'''||.413||.889||'''10.3'''||'''2.2'''||1.1||2.6||1.7||bgcolor=#cfecec|*'''28.1'''
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2012–13
|style="text-align:left;"|Delaware
||30||30||33.0||.487||'''.452'''||.921||8.5||1.8||0.9||2.3||'''1.1'''||26.0
|- class="sortbottom"
|style="text-align:left;"|Career
|style="text-align:left;"|4 years, 1 team
|114||111||34.9||.481||.409||.910||8.9||1.9||1.0||2.3||1.8||26.7
|}

===WNBA Regular Season===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes seasons in which Delle Donne won a [[WNBA Finals|WNBA championship]]
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#E0CEF2; width:1em"|{{double dagger}}
|WNBA record
|}

{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 30 || 30 || 31.4 || .426 || .438 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.929° || 5.6 || 1.8|| 0.7 || 1.8  || 1.3 || 18.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 16 || 9 || 25.4 || .429 || .364 || .933 || 4.0 || 1.1 || 0.6 || 1.4 || 0.8 || 17.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| '''31''' || '''31''' || '''33.3''' || .460 || .313 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.950° || '''8.4''' || 1.4 || 1.1 || '''2.0''' || 1.2 || style="background:#d3d3d3;"| '''23.4'''°
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2016 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
| 28 || 28 || 33.1 || .485 || .426 || .935 || 7.0 || 0.8 || '''1.4''' || 1.5 || 1.3 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 25 || 25 || 30.3 || .494 || .388 || .953 || 6.8 || 1.6  || 0.8 || 1.4 || 1.5 || 19.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2018}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 29 || 29 || 32.2 || .488 || .405 || .887 || 7.2 || '''2.3'''  || 0.9 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 20.7
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|{{wnbay|2019}}<sup>†</sup>
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| '''31''' || '''31''' || 29.1 || '''.515''' || .430 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.974° || 8.3 || 2.2  || 0.5 || 1.2 || 1.0 || 19.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2021 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 3 || 3 || 17.3 || .481 || '''.600''' || '''1.000''' || 4.3 || 0.7  || 0.0 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 13.7
|-
| align="left" | [[2022 WNBA season|2022]]
| align="left" | [[2022 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 25 || 25 || 27.8 || .480 || .368 || .913 || 6.3 || '''2.3''' || 0.5 || 1.1 || 1.1 || 17.2
|-
| align="left" | [[2023 WNBA season|2023]]
| align="left" | [[2023 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 23 || 23 || 27.5 || .485 || .393 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.938° || 5.4 || 2.1 || 0.8 || 0.9 || 1.3 || 16.7
|- 
|style="text-align:left;"| Career
|style="text-align:left;"| 10 years, 2 teams
| 241 || 234 || 30.2 || .475 || .392 || style="background:EOCEF2;"|.937{{double dagger}} || 6.7 || 1.9 || 0.7 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 19.5
{{S-end}}

===WNBA Playoffs===
{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2013 WNBA Playoffs|2013]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2013 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
||2||2||32.0||.381||.000||'''1.000'''||3.5||2.0||0.5||'''2.0'''|| 1.0 || 15.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2014 WNBA Playoffs|2014]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2014 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
||'''9'''||'''9'''||31.0||.482||.379||.919||3.3||1.6||0.3||1.5|| 0.8 || 16.8
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2015 WNBA Playoffs|2015]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2015 Chicago Sky season|Chicago]]
||3||3||36.3||.500||.438||'''1.000'''||6.3||2.0||0.7||1.0||2.0 || '''21.7'''
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2017 WNBA Playoffs|2017]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2017 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
||5||5||34.8||.449 ||'''.444'''||.957 ||8.0||2.0||0.0||0.8||1.6 ||20.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2018 WNBA Playoffs|2018]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2018 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 8 || 8 || 34.5 || .453 || .346 || '''1.000'''  || '''9.5''' || 2.9 || 0.6 || 0.8 || 1.8 || 19.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|[[2019 WNBA Playoffs|2019]]<sup>†</sup>
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2019 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| '''9''' || '''9''' ||30.2|| .504 || .394 || .885 || 6.6 || 2.0 || '''0.8''' || 1.5 || 0.8 || 16.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2022 WNBA Playoffs|2022]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2022 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 2 || 2 || 33.0 || '''.516''' || .111 || '''1.000''' || 2.5 || '''5.0''' || 0.5 || 1.0 || 1.5 || 19.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2023 WNBA Playoffs|2023]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[2023 Washington Mystics season|Washington]]
| 2 || 2 || '''36.5''' || .321 || .000 || '''1.000''' || 4.5 || 3.5 || 0.5 || 1.0 || '''0.0''' || 11.0
|- 
|style="text-align:left;"| Career
|style="text-align:left;"| 7 years, 2 teams
| 40 || 40 || 32.8 || .467 || .348 || style="background:EOCEF2;"|.954{{double dagger}} || 6.1 || 2.3 || 0.5 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 17.9
|}

==Awards and honors==
===Basketball===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Elena Delle Donne with egg.jpg|thumb|250x250px]] -->
* 2004&nbsp;– ''USA Today'' Freshman All-America, Nike All-America Camp, Street & Smith Preseason All-America Honorable Mention,<ref name="UD Bio"/> All-State First Team<ref name="UD Bio"/>
* 2005&nbsp;– Scut/FCP SUPER SIX, ''Parade'' All-America Fourth Team, EA Sports All-America,<ref name="UD Bio"/> Gatorade Delaware Player of the Year, DSBA Delaware Player of the Year, Street & Smith All-American Third Team,<ref name="UD Bio"/> All-State First Team 2005<ref name="UD Bio"/>
* 2006&nbsp;– ''Slam'' Magazine All-American First Team,<ref name="UD Bio"/> ''Women's Basketball'' Magazine All-American First Team, ''Parade'' All-American First Team,<ref name="UD Bio"/> ''Sports Illustrated'' All-American Second Team,<ref name="UD Bio"/> EA Sports All-American,<ref name="UD Bio"/> ''USA Today'' All-American Third Team,<ref name="UD Bio"/> Gatorade State Player of the Year,<ref name="UD Bio"/> All-State First Team 2006<ref name="UD Bio"/>
* 2007&nbsp;– ''Parade'' All-American Third Team, Gatorade State Player of the Year, First-ever cover subject of ''GIRL'' magazine
* 2008&nbsp;– [[McDonald's All-American Team]],<ref name="UD Bio"/> ''USA Today'' National Player of the Year and First Team All-America, [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award|Naismith Prep Player of the Year]],<ref name="UD Bio"/> Gatorade National Player of the Year,<ref name="UD Bio"/> EA Sports Player of the Year,<ref name="EA SPORTS"/> Delaware Athlete of the Year<ref name="Worrilow">{{cite press release |url=http://www.bluehens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29100&ATCLID=209409876 |title=Former University of Delaware All-American, Current NFL Starter Paul Worrilow Honored as DSBA Athlete of the Year |publisher=University of Delaware |date=February 17, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222143703/http://www.bluehens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29100&ATCLID=209409876 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2010 – AP All-American Honorable Mention,<ref name="2014 media guide">{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/udbluehens/docs/2013-14_ud_wbb_media_guide?SPSID=670300&SPID=110417&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=29100 |title=Elena Delle Donne |work=2013–14 Delaware Blue Hen Women's Basketball Media Guide |date=November 4, 2013 |publisher=University of Delaware Sports Information |pages=38–39 |access-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202221753/http://issuu.com/udbluehens/docs/2013-14_ud_wbb_media_guide?SPSID=670300&SPID=110417&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=29100 |url-status=live}}</ref> CAA Player of the Year,<ref name="CAA awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/8500/supportfiles/Records/recordbookwbask.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=8500 |title=2012–13 CAA Women's Basketball Record Book |publisher=Colonial Athletic Association |format=PDF |pages=36–50 |access-date=January 28, 2014 |archive-date=January 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104082611/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/8500/supportfiles/Records/recordbookwbask.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=8500 |url-status=dead}}</ref> CAA All-Defensive Team,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA All-Rookie Team,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA All-Tournament Team,<ref name="CAA awards"/> Delaware Athlete of the Year<ref name="Worrilow"/>
* 2011 – AP and [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|WBCA]] All-American Third Team,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> All-CAA First Team,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA All-Tournament Team<ref name="CAA awards"/>
* 2012 – AP, WBCA, [[John R. Wooden Award|Wooden]], and [[United States Basketball Writers Association|USBWA]] All-American First Team,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> CAA Player of the Year,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player,<ref name="CAA awards"/> Delaware Athlete of the Year<ref name="Worrilow"/>
* 2013 – AP, WBCA, Wooden, and USBWA All-American First Team,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> CAA Player of the Year,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA All-Defensive Team,<ref name="CAA awards"/> CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player,<ref name="CAA awards"/> UD Outstanding Female Senior Athlete,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> WNBA Rookie of the Year,<ref name="ROY"/> All-WNBA Second Team<ref name=all>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/history/all_wnba.html |title=All-WNBA Teams |publisher=WNBA |access-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222011233/http://www.wnba.com/history/all_wnba.html |archive-date=December 22, 2008}}</ref>
* 2013 – Winner of the [[Honda Sports Award (basketball)|Honda Sports Award]] for basketball<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/releases/2012-13/basketball |title=Elena Delle Donne, University of Delaware |website=CWSA |language=en |access-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909233445/http://collegiatewomensportsawards.com/releases/2012-13/basketball |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluehens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=211634996&DB_OEM_ID=29100 |title=Blue Hen Greta Nauck Vies for 2017 Honda Cup Monday on CBS Sports Network |publisher=BlueHens.com |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405062520/https://bluehens.com/news/2017/6/23/211634996 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2015 – WNBA Most Valuable Player,<ref name=mvp/> All-WNBA First Team,<ref name=all/> scoring champion<ref name=mvp/>
* 2016 – Nominee for ESPYS Best Female Athlete award <ref>{{cite web |title=List of 2016 ESPYS Nominees |url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/list-2016-espys-nominees/ |website=ESPN MediaZone |access-date=July 7, 2016 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820225801/http://espnmediazone.com/us/list-2016-espys-nominees/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2019 – WNBA Most Valuable Player<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Elena Delle Donne: 2019 WNBA Most Valuable Player |url=https://www.wnba.com/elena-delle-donne-2019-wnba-most-valuable-player/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113105051/https://www.wnba.com/elena-delle-donne-2019-wnba-most-valuable-player/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2021 – The W25 (top 25 WNBA players of the league's first 25 years)<ref>{{Cite web |title=WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25" |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314042622/https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Voepel |first=Mechelle |date=September 5, 2021 |title=WNBA unveils list of top 25 players in its history |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/wnba/story/_/id/32155190/wnba-unveils-w25-list-top-25-players-25-year-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113104905/https://www.espn.co.uk/wnba/story/_/id/32155190/wnba-unveils-w25-list-top-25-players-25-year-history |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Student-athlete awards===
* 2010 – CAA All-Academic First Team<ref name="CAA awards"/>
* 2011 – CAA All-Academic First Team<ref name="CAA awards"/>
* 2012&nbsp;– [[List of Women's Basketball Academic All-America Team Members of the Year|Academic All-America Team]],<ref name="Academic All-America 2012">{{cite web |url=http://cosida.com/news.aspx?id=3569 |title=Tyler Zeller of UNC, Delaware's Elena Delle Donne headline Capital One Academic All-America® Division I Basketball Teams |date=February 23, 2012 |access-date=January 28, 2014 |publisher=[[College Sports Information Directors of America]] |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731062342/http://cosida.com/news.aspx?id=3569 |url-status=live}}</ref> CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> CAA All-Academic First Team<ref name="CAA awards"/>
* 2013&nbsp;– [[List of Women's Basketball Academic All-America Team Members of the Year|Academic All-America Team]],<ref name="Academic All-America 2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.cosida.com/news.aspx?id=3973 |title=Delaware's Elena Delle Donne, Ohio State's Aaron Craft top Capital One Academic All-America® Division I Basketball Teams |access-date=February 21, 2013 |date=April 18, 2013 |publisher=[[College Sports Information Directors of America]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130408011013/http://www.cosida.com/news.aspx?id=3973 |archive-date=April 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[List of Senior CLASS Award women's basketball winners|Senior CLASS Award]], CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year,<ref name="2014 media guide"/> CAA All-Academic First Team<ref name="CAA awards"/>
* 2014 – NCAA [[Today's Top 10 Award]]<ref name="Top 10 Award">{{cite press release |url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-selects-today%E2%80%99s-top-10-2014 |title=NCAA selects Today's Top 10 for 2014 |publisher=NCAA |date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2014 |archive-date=January 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127055821/http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-selects-today%E2%80%99s-top-10-2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other===
For their first match of March 2019, the women of the [[United States women's national soccer team]] each wore a jersey with the name of a woman they were honoring on the back; [[Emily Fox (soccer)|Emily Fox]] chose the name of Delle Donne.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ennis |first=Dawn |url=https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |title=Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT |date=March 4, 2019 |publisher=Outsports |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305152541/https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring leaders]]
* List of NCAA Division I women's basketball players with 2,500 points and 1,000 rebounds

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="girlshoops">{{cite web |url=http://girlshoops.scout.com/a.z?s=209&p=9&c=4&yr=2008&cfg=wbb |title=Women's Basketball Recruiting |publisher=Girlshoops.scout.com |access-date=April 17, 2013 |archive-date=December 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227100944/http://girlshoops.scout.com/a.z?s=209&p=9&c=4&yr=2008&cfg=wbb |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Free throw record">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4564860 |title=Delle Donne happy to be back |date=October 16, 2009 |work=ESPN |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104143651/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=4564860 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Elena Delle Donne Biography">{{cite web |url=http://wnbadraft.net/players/elena-delle-donne/ |title=Elena Delle Donne |publisher=WNBAdraft.net |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330085339/http://wnbadraft.net/players/elena-delle-donne/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=volleyball>{{cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Mel |url=http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/womhoops/2008/08/delle_donne_admits_basketball.html |title=Della Donne Admits Basketball 'Burnout'; Joins Delaware Volleyball Team |work=Women's Hoops Guru blog |date=August 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903121505/http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/womhoops/2008/08/delle_donne_admits_basketball.html |archive-date=September 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="WBCA box score">{{cite web |title=WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores |url=http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715064856/http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="WBCA HS MVP">{{cite web |title=WBCA High School All-America Game Team MVP's |url=http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_past_mvps |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715083757/http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_past_mvps |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="EED joins Volleyball team">{{cite web |url=http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2009/aug/delledonne082608.html |title=Elena DelleDonne joins UD volleyball team |date=August 26, 2008 |publisher=University of Delaware |access-date=February 20, 2010 |archive-date=June 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607075151/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2009/aug/delledonne082608.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Media Guide">{{cite web |url=http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/volleyball/09mediaguide/vb09-mediaguide4.pdf |title=2009 University of Delaware Volleyball Media Guide |publisher=University of Delaware |access-date=February 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716051751/http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/volleyball/09mediaguide/vb09-mediaguide4.pdf |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="break">{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Schwarz |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3437988 |title=Nation's top {{not a typo|recuit}} says break is 'deeper than basketball' |work=ESPN |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |archive-date=April 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413132944/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=3437988 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="hsbreak">{{cite web |first=Glenn |last=Nelson |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=2927470&type=Story&imagesPrint=off |title=Recruiting pressure forces Delle Donne to take hiatus |work=ESPN |date=July 6, 2007 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104143718/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2927470&type=Story&imagesPrint=off |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Stats">{{cite web |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings |title=NCAA Women's Basketball |date=February 18, 2010 |publisher=NCAA |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604030919/http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="ROW">{{cite web |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100210/SPORTS07/2100347/1002/SPORTS |title=Delaware women's basketball: Delle Donne wins CAA rookie of the week honors for sixth time |date=February 10, 2010 |publisher=delawareonline.tv |access-date=February 21, 2010}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web |title=NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Statistics – 2011–12 |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/stats?season=2012 |work=ESPN |access-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630053912/http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/statistics/_/year/2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="UD Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/womens_basketball/roster10-delledonne.html |title=Roster – Women's Basketball |publisher=University of Delaware |access-date=February 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114045733/http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/womens_basketball/roster10-delledonne.html |archive-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="EA SPORTS">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/basketball/girls/news/story?id=4686595 |title=All-Decade Girls Basketball Team |last=Kallam |first=Clay |date=December 23, 2009 |work=ESPN |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212142752/http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/girls/news/story?id=4686595 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CAAPOY">{{cite web |url=http://whyy.org/cms/news/regional-news/delaware/2010/03/11/delle-donne-pulls-off-rare-caa-awards-double/33146 |title=Delle Donne pulls off rare CAA awards double |last=Byrne |first=Tom |date=March 11, 2010 |publisher=WHYY |access-date=March 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627002133/http://whyy.org/cms/news/regional-news/delaware/2010/03/11/delle-donne-pulls-off-rare-caa-awards-double/33146 |archive-date=June 27, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

 <ref name=Farnum>{{cite web |last=Farnum |first=Amy |title=Delle Donne back to superstar form |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2011-12-20/delle-donne-back-superstar-form |publisher=NCAA |access-date=December 28, 2011 |date=December 26, 2011 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524115649/http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2011-12-20/delle-donne-back-superstar-form |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="FreshmanPPG">{{cite web |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/ranksummary |title=Delaware Women's Basketball National Ranking Summary Through Games 3/30/2010 |publisher=NCAA |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411045543/http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/ranksummary |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="ROY">{{cite web |date=September 20, 2013 |title=Elena Delle Donne Named 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year |url=http://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2013/delledonne_rookieofyear.html |publisher=WBNA |access-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061451/http://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2013/delledonne_rookieofyear.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=Hays>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/threetosee/comfort-zone |title=Comfort Zone |first=Graham |last=Hays |publisher=[[ESPN.com|espnW]] |date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517043745/http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/threetosee/comfort-zone |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- Unused citation <ref name="Hays OTL">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=elenaDonne&redirected=true |title=Finding Her Way Back Home |first=Graham |last=Hays |work=[[Outside the Lines]] |publisher=espnW |access-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref> -->
}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{Basketball stats|wnba=203399/elena-delle-donne}}
*{{FIBA profile|new_id=161393|old_id=63325}}
*{{Olympics.com}}
*{{Olympedia}}
*{{Team USA|new_id=elena-delle-donne-997375|old_id=DE/Elena-Delle-Donne|archive=20230416231953}}

{{Navboxes|title= Awards and achievements for Elena Delle Donne|list1=
{{Washington Mystics 2019 WNBA champions}}
{{Chicago Sky}}
{{The W25}}
{{WNBA MVP}}
{{WNBA Rookies of the Year}}
{{2013 WNBA draft}}
{{WNBA scoring champion}}
{{Women's Basketball Academic All-America of the Year}}
{{Senior CLASS Award - Women's Basketball}}
{{United States Women Basketball Squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{United States Squad 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup}}
{{Morgan Wootten Player of the Year}}
{{Coastal Athletic Association Women's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Honda Sports Award}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delle Donne, Elena}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college women's basketball players]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American women's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Wilmington, Delaware]]
[[Category:Chicago Sky draft picks]]
[[Category:Chicago Sky players]]
[[Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's basketball players]]
[[Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's volleyball players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ basketball players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Delaware]]
[[Category:LGBTQ volleyball players]]
[[Category:American lesbian sportswomen]]
[[Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2011 Summer Universiade]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)]]
[[Category:Shooting guards]]
[[Category:Small forwards]]
[[Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for the United States]]
[[Category:Summer World University Games medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:Washington Mystics players]]
[[Category:WNBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:United States women's national basketball team players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]]