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Elena Delle Donne achieved basketball’s highest honor on August 15 when she was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 36-year-old Delaware native, who graduated from Ursuline Academy and the University of Delaware, became the first person from her home state to receive this distinction. Her enshrinement capped a career that spanned high school dominance, collegiate success, professional stardom in the WNBA, and Olympic competition.
During her induction ceremony, Delle Donne delivered an emotional speech that emphasized basketball’s role in her personal growth. She reflected on how the sport transformed her greatest childhood insecurity—her height—into a strength, and she humorously acknowledged her controversial departure from UConn after just 48 hours. Her remarks centered on family relationships and personal lessons learned, particularly highlighting the influence of her sister Lizzie, who has significant disabilities. Delle Donne became emotional discussing how her sister’s courage redefined what greatness means to her beyond trophies and accolades.
Delle Donne’s basketball achievements were remarkable across all levels. She scored 2,818 points in high school, was the national player of the year in 2008, and later ranked fifth all-time in NCAA Division I scoring with 3,039 points despite missing 22 games due to health issues. In the WNBA, she was drafted second overall in 2013, won back-to-back MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, made seven All-Star teams, and won an Olympic gold medal in 2016. She now serves as managing director of USA Basketball’s 3-on-3 team.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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