It won’t take long for the next phase of Elena Delle Donne’s storied basketball career to begin.
Just over two weeks after finishing her time at the University of Delaware with a loss to Kentucky in the NCAA tournament’s “Sweet 16,” Delle Donne is expected to be a first round pick in Monday’s WNBA draft.
The three-time CAA player of the year and two-time first team All-American is expected to be snatched up quickly. Most anticipate Phoenix, Chicago or Tulsa will select her in the first three picks.
No matter where she goes, the 6-5 Wilmington native will be leaving the First State where she played in both high school at Ursuline Academy and in college at UD.
Delle Donne was going to play collegiately at UConn, but left the Huskies program after just two days five years ago and returned to Delaware.
Now, she says leaving home behind will not be a problem.
“When I decided to go back to college basketball and play at Delaware I was an 18 year old girl. I’ve been able to grow at college, live away from home and experience new things, said Delle Donne. "Now, I’m a 23-year-old woman and I’m ready for the next step in basketball and that’s [playing] professional. It’s something I’ve dreamt of all my life”
Delle Donne finished her collegiate career with 3,039 points, good for fifth all-time in NCAA Division I women’s basketball.
Now, she looks to continue that prolific production at the professional level where she expects to be able to play more freely.
“I am definitely looking forward to the WNBA to, you know, not have to play against those box and ones and triangle and twos – just odd defenses. I think it’s going to be fun playing more straight up basketball," said Delle Donne. I saw that a lot with USA Basketball [playing for the gold medal winning USA World University Games team in 2011] and it was really enjoyable. And I think more than anything I’ll be able to use my passing more and just kind of see the floor.”
Delle Donne is poised to become only the second UD player drafted by the WNBA. Tyresa Smith was selected with the 18th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 draft by Phoenix.
Monday night’s draft begins at 8.