Elena Delle Donne Q&A

Leading up to the April 15 draft, WNBA.com will be posting Q&As with the draft invitees so they can introduce themselves to WNBA fans.

Elena Delle Donne put the Delaware basketball program on the map, taking it to two NCAA Tournaments and one Sweet Sixteen appearance. At 6-foot-5, Delle Donne is one of the most skilled bigs we have seen come through the draft in several years. She graduated top five on the all-time NCAA scoring list.

Check out Elena's prospect profile.

What three words best describe yourself?
Versatile, smooth, unique

What strengths, qualities or skills will be able to bring to a WNBA?
The ability to score from different spots on the floor. The ability to play different positions

What do you expect to be some of the biggest challenges or adjustments at the next level?
Defending the guard spot. I play this spot on offense and need to be able to defend this spot on the defensive end.

Kelly Faris
Courtesy of Delaware Athletics
What specific skills do you need to work on in order to succeed at this level?
Pressuring guards on the defensive end

When were you introduced to the game of basketball?
When I was four years old, I was the only girl on an all boys YMCA team

When did you know you wanted to be a professional basketball player? And, given that dream, when did you realize that you had a legitimate shot of doing so?
From the first time I started playing basketball it was my goal to play professionally. I think I first realized this dream was legitimate when I played AAU on a national level and was able to compare my skills to that type of the national competition.

What do you think it will feel like when your name first gets called and who will you share the moment with?
When I hear my name called, I think it will be a surreal realization of my lifelong dreams becoming reality. I will share this moment with my parents, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my entire career.

Once you get settled in a new team, do you have any first-year goals in mind?
My goals for my rookie season to make the team better than previous years and on a personal level to compete for Rookie of the Year.

Are there any current WNBA players that you model your game after?
I think that my game is unique because of the combination of my size and guard skill set. I think that my game may be a mix of current WNBA players� skills.

What WNBA players are you most looking forward to playing against or meeting?
I am looking forward to meeting Diana Tarausi because she is a player that I have always looked up to, since I was young. I am also looking forward to playing against Candace Parker and Lauren Jackson because my game has often been compared to their styles of play.

What is your best on-court moment?
My best on court moment was this past season when we beat UNC in the NCAA tournament to advance to the sweet 16.

Tell your new fans something that most people do not know about you?
I almost lost my right thumb in third grade during shop class. This would have posed some problems for my shooting ability I think!

How would you describe yourself? (i.e. outgoing, shy, silly, generous, life of the party)
I would describe myself as outgoing and silly when I am off the court, but very serious and focused on the court.

What�s your favorite movie? What type of music do you listen to? Any particular artists that you listen to prior to a game?
My favorite movie is The Lion King. I listen to all types of music, but I think I tend to listen most to top-40 music! I actually don�t listen to music before games, I kind of enjoy the silence, it gives me a chance to really focus

Do you use social media? If so, what platform? And, would you like to share your information with your new fans?
I am definitely a social media user! My fans can follow me on twitter @de11edonne , they can also like my facebook page, and soon after the draft we will be launching my new website.

You were able to accomplish so much at Delaware and take the program to heights it�s never seen. What was your favorite accomplishment while at Delaware, individual and team?
I think the greatest team accomplishment was going to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history and with that, posting the most successful season in the history of Delaware basketball. My greatest individual accomplishment was entering the top five in Division I history in scoring.

With an intensified travel schedule in the WNBA, how do you prepare to stay in touch in with family?
My family plans to attend as many games as possible and when they cannot attend I will know that they are supporting me from back home in Delaware. With the season taking place in the summer it will allow my family much more flexibility to travel as well.