University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Delaware Alum Elena Delle Donne to be Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
10/30/2025 10:06:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - University of Delaware women's basketball program alum Elena Delle Donne will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) with the Class of 2026, the organization announced Thursday.
The class includes four players: Delle Donne, University of Tennessee and WNBA player, Candace Parker; international players, Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro. Longtime WNBA and Team USA coach, Cheryl Reeve; 36-year Kirkwood Community College head coach and NJCAA Hall of Famer, Kim Muhl. The class is completed with Doris Burke, a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women's basketball and a multi-year First-team All-ACC recipient, and Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, a posthumous Veteran honoree.
The induction ceremony will be held at The Tennessee Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The Wilmington, Delaware native is one of the most recognized and accomplished student-athletes in the history of the Fightin' Blue Hens. She followed her record-breaking performance at UD with an impressive career as a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, WNBA superstar, author, spokesperson, and role model.
The 2013 Delaware graduate enjoyed an incredible four seasons on the hardwood from 2009-13. She set nearly every school record, led the 2013 team to a 32-4 record, a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16, and paced the 2012 squad to a 31-2 mark and another NCAA Tournament run.
The 2013 Honda National Player of the Year, she also was a three-time All-American, a three-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year, set 45 school records, established numerous CAA marks, and finished as the No. 5 all-time leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points. She still ranks ninth all-time in the NCAA in scoring. She averaged an incredible 26.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for her career.
An outstanding scholar-athlete, she was a two-time Capital One National Academic All-American of the Year and a two-time CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport," WBHOF President Dana Hart said. "They exemplify the highest standards in women's basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game's historical trajectory."
Delle Donne was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the second overall pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft. With Chicago, she was the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year, 2015 WNBA MVP and a two-time All-WNBA First Team selection before being traded to the Washington Mystics in 2017. Delle Donne went on to win the 2019 WNBA title, while adding a second MVP honor that season and two more All-WNBA First Team nods. The seven-time WNBA All-Star was selected to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Delle Donne announced her retirement from professional basketball on April 4, 2025. She currently serves as special advisor to Monumental Basketball, the parent company of the Mystics as well as the first managing director of the USA 3x3 Women's National Team
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For the latest on Delaware women's basketball, follow the Blue Hens onX,Instagram, and like on Facebook.
The class includes four players: Delle Donne, University of Tennessee and WNBA player, Candace Parker; international players, Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro. Longtime WNBA and Team USA coach, Cheryl Reeve; 36-year Kirkwood Community College head coach and NJCAA Hall of Famer, Kim Muhl. The class is completed with Doris Burke, a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women's basketball and a multi-year First-team All-ACC recipient, and Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, a posthumous Veteran honoree.
The induction ceremony will be held at The Tennessee Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The Wilmington, Delaware native is one of the most recognized and accomplished student-athletes in the history of the Fightin' Blue Hens. She followed her record-breaking performance at UD with an impressive career as a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, WNBA superstar, author, spokesperson, and role model.
The 2013 Delaware graduate enjoyed an incredible four seasons on the hardwood from 2009-13. She set nearly every school record, led the 2013 team to a 32-4 record, a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16, and paced the 2012 squad to a 31-2 mark and another NCAA Tournament run.
The 2013 Honda National Player of the Year, she also was a three-time All-American, a three-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year, set 45 school records, established numerous CAA marks, and finished as the No. 5 all-time leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points. She still ranks ninth all-time in the NCAA in scoring. She averaged an incredible 26.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for her career.
An outstanding scholar-athlete, she was a two-time Capital One National Academic All-American of the Year and a two-time CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport," WBHOF President Dana Hart said. "They exemplify the highest standards in women's basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game's historical trajectory."
Delle Donne was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the second overall pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft. With Chicago, she was the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year, 2015 WNBA MVP and a two-time All-WNBA First Team selection before being traded to the Washington Mystics in 2017. Delle Donne went on to win the 2019 WNBA title, while adding a second MVP honor that season and two more All-WNBA First Team nods. The seven-time WNBA All-Star was selected to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Delle Donne announced her retirement from professional basketball on April 4, 2025. She currently serves as special advisor to Monumental Basketball, the parent company of the Mystics as well as the first managing director of the USA 3x3 Women's National Team
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's basketball, follow the Blue Hens onX,Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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