Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne is recognized as one of the most versatile players in women's basketball. A three-time All-American and three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year at the University of Delaware, Delle Donne concluded her college career as the fifth all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women's basketball with 3,039 points. Her WNBA career began when the Chicago Sky selected her No. 2 overall, and she earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in her debut season.

Over a 10-season career, Delle Donne became the first player to earn MVP honors with two different franchises: the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics. She contributed to the Mystics' WNBA championship and is the only woman to join professional basketball's 50-40-90 club. Delle Donne holds the all-time WNBA career free throw percentage record at 93.7 percent. She was named among the WNBA's 25 greatest and most influential players as part of the league's 25th anniversary celebration and was announced as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction class.

Delle Donne's career has been shaped by her experience managing Lyme disease since her second year of college basketball, requiring her to take 64 pills daily to compete. She was a member of Team USA, winning gold at the Olympics in Brazil and at the FIBA World Cup. Her ability to perform at an elite level while managing a chronic illness has made her a prominent figure in sports medicine and athlete wellness discussions.

Delle Donne has leveraged her platform for advocacy and leadership in health and inclusion. She became the first National Ambassador for the Lyme Research Alliance, raising awareness for Lyme disease treatment and diagnosis. As a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics, she has supported programs for children with intellectual disabilities. Delle Donne founded the Elena Delle Donne Foundation to support Lyme disease research, special needs programs, and animal welfare. She received the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in consecutive years for her community work.

Delle Donne announced her retirement from professional basketball and accepted the role of managing director for the USA Basketball Women's 3x3 National Team. She is the author of the middle-grade series "Hoops" and the memoir "My Shot: Balancing It All and Standing Tall." As managing director, Delle Donne oversees the selection of coaches and players for international competitions, including the Olympic Games, the FIBA 3-on-3 World Cup, and the FIBA 3-on-3 AmeriCup. Her ongoing contributions continue to influence women's basketball, athlete advocacy, and sports leadership.