Font Size:

Elena Delle Donne is worn out with basketball.  USA Today's 2008 High School Player of the Year signed a full-ride scholarship to play for mighty UCONN.  But she's giving it all up to play Volleyball.....as a walk-on.

You see, Delle Donne wasn't having any fun anymore.  She was the best player in the country, but the joy of the game was gone.  Basketball had become a job to her; one that came with lofty expectations. 

She was in a lose-lose situation.  When her team won, they were supposed to.  When they lost, people wondered why.  Did Delle Donne show up?  Did she dominate?  A lot of pressure for a 17 year old girl.

So at the end of last season, she put down the basketball and walked-on to her high school Volleyball team.  Delle Donne helped lead the team to a State title, and found a love for sports again.  It was at that moment she realized that she was done with basketball.

Delle Donne has left UCONN and walked-on to the University of Delaware Volleyball team.  She says that basketball is no longer a part of her life, but joy certainly is.  She's finally living her life for her, not trying to live up to others' expectations.

Good luck Elena, and congratulations on finding the true meaning of sports.....TO HAVE FUN!!!!