Less than one year ago Elena Delle Donne, an ultra talented 6-foot-5 guard from Wilmington, Del., could not stop gushing about playing college basketball at UConn. She had ended a self-imposed hiatus from the game and the recruiting process by giving an oral commitment to Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma last Aug. 26.
For Delle Donne, it was the completion of a dream. She had grown up following the Huskies. She had been a fan of Diana Taurasi. She was enamored by the team’s family atmosphere and cherished the bond that she had developed between herself, Auriemma and UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey while she was being recruited.
Delle Donne went as far as to say that it gave her chills when she thought of putting on a UConn uniform. Much has changed since she committed. Late this afternoon, her career officially came to end before it even started when Auriemma confirmed that after weeks of waiting Delle Donne will not play college basketball or attend UConn.
“I have recently been informed that Elena Delle Donne has decided not to play college basketball and will not enroll at the University of Connecticut,’’ Auriemma said in a statement. “Everyone at UConn would like to wish Elena the best of luck.’’
Auriemma said that he would not have any further comment. Delle Donne did not return a phone call or a text message Saturday seeking comment.
It is not known at this point what the future holds for Delle Donne, who was the nation’s top player coming out of Ursuline Academy and was named the 2008 Naismith and WBCA Player of the Year. She arrived on the UConn campus June 1 poised to begin the first summer session and set her career in motion.
However, Delle Donne abruptly left for home two days later. New students were to report to UConn Friday. The fall semester begins Aug. 25.
“She’s so good,’’ former UConn All-American Kara Wolters said. “What a waste. It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard. To have an opportunity like that to play, obviously, at the best college women’s program in the world … and she threw it away.’’
The last incoming freshman to leave the program during the summer was point guard Kia Wright in 2003. She arrived on campus three days after graduating from Copiague (N.Y.) High. Her stay lasted only a couple of weeks as she found herself homesick and overwhelmed by the intensity of the workouts.
Wright transferred to St. John’s, where she became an All-Big East performer.
Delle Donne, who began playing at the varsity level at Ursuline Academy when she was in eighth grade, averaged 29 points and 11 rebounds last season in winning her fourth state championship. She finished her career with 2,818 points, the most by any player – male or female – in state history and set the girls’ national high school record by making 80 straight free throws in 2005-06.
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