Elena Delle Donne’s Impact on the WNBA
Elena Delle Donne has announced her retirement from the WNBA after 11 seasons, sharing the news via Instagram with the poignant message that her body “seemed to make this decision before my mind accepted it.” Though her career was plagued by injuries, her impact on the game is undeniable, leaving a legacy as a resilient, dominant force in women’s basketball. Her influence extended beyond the court, as she became a powerful advocate for mental health and athlete well-being, inspiring many with her openness about her own challenges. As she transitions into her new role with Monumental Basketball, Delle Donne’s legacy will continue to shape the future of the sport, both on and off the court.
Elena Delle Donne’s impact on the WNBA is profound and multifaceted. As a six foot five forward, she redefined the position with her unique combination of size, skill, and versatility, challenging conventional expectations of what a forward could look like. Her ability to dominate both inside and from the perimeter forced teams to rethink defensive strategies and roster construction. Delle Donne was drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky in 2013 and pushed for a trade to the Mystics after the 2016 season. She won the WNBA Championship in 2019 with Washington while playing with three herniated discs. She didn't play in the 2020 season in the COVID-19 bubble in Bradenton, Florida, and was limited to three games by back issues in 2021 before playing 25 games in 2022 and 23 in 2023. She missed the 2024 season after deciding not to sign a one-year supermax offer from the Mystics.
She won the WNBA MVP award in 2015 and 2019, becoming the first player to receive the honor with two different teams. Her impact on the league was further solidified by her seven-time All-Star and four-time All-WNBA first-team selections over her 11 seasons. She played college basketball at Delaware, where she was a two-time All-American and led the Blue Hens to the Sweet 16 in 2013. She averaged 19.5 points and six rebounds in 241 regular-season games. She played in 40 postseason games, where she averaged 17.9 points, six rebounds and two assists. She retires as the league's career leader in free throw shooting at 93.7%.
Elena Delle Donne’s impact is just as important off the court. Delle Donne is crucial off the court for her advocacy on mental health and chronic illness. Opening up about her battle with Lyme disease, she has raised awareness about the struggles athletes face with chronic conditions, including in her emotional letter for The Players' Tribune. She has also been a strong advocate for gender equality in sports, speaking out on issues like pay disparity and working with organizations such as the Women's Sports Foundation to push for better opportunities for women. Her leadership both on and off the court has helped raise the profile of the WNBA, and her willingness to use her platform for social change has made her a powerful role model for athletes facing adversity.
Delle Donne has left an impact on the game just like another WNBA legend's impact on the game of basketball. As a player, she redefined the forward position and led her teams to success despite enduring numerous challenges. She will forever be seen as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. Off the court, she has used her voice to advocate for mental health awareness, gender equality, and the well-being of athletes, inspiring a generation to push for change. Whether as a player or as an advocate, Delle Donne’s legacy will continue to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on WNBA.
