Elena Delle Donne

American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players, known for her exceptional shooting and versatility.

Elena Delle Donne was born on 5 September 1989 in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up deeply connected to her older sister Lizzie, who was born blind, deaf, and with cerebral palsy and autism, communicating with her only through touch. As the nation's top high school recruit, Delle Donne initially committed to the University of Connecticut, but withdrew before playing a game, choosing instead to stay close to home and her sister, ultimately enrolling at the University of Delaware after a year away from basketball. Delle Donne led Delaware to three consecutive conference titles and was diagnosed with Lyme disease during her sophomore year, a chronic illness that caused her to miss games throughout the remainder of her career but that she later turned into a platform for advocacy, becoming the first national ambassador for the Lyme Research Alliance. The Chicago Sky selected Delle Donne second overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and she developed into one of the greatest shooters in league history, becoming the first and only member of the WNBA's 50-40-90 shooting club and the league's all-time leader in free throw percentage. She won back-to-back MVP awards and was traded to the Washington Mystics in 2017, partly to remain closer to her sister and family in Delaware. Delle Donne led the Mystics to the 2019 WNBA championship and won Olympic gold with Team USA, before retiring in 2023 following years of managing chronic health challenges. She has remained a prominent advocate for both Lyme disease awareness and children with disabilities through her charitable foundation, honouring the bond with her sister that shaped her entire career.

Versatile forward with elite shooting, strong post presence

Two-time WNBA MVP and champion who overcame health challenges

• WNBA MVP 2015, 2019
• WNBA Champion 2019
• Naismith College Player of the Year