Recap MVP Elena Delle Donne’s Busy Offseason
What do you do after wrapping up a historically great MVP season that included the fifth-highest scoring average in WNBA history, the highest free throw percentage (min. 100 attempts) and the third-best Player Efficiency Rating?
You appear in Time magazine, play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, participate in USA Basketball camp, attend the Nike Innovation Summit and, yes, go to Disney World — among many other things on Elena Delle Donne’s plate over the past four months.
Delle Donne seems to appear in a new place every day during the winter and spring as the WNBA’s landmark 20th season approaches.
Recap her “offseason”:
November 16: Featured on the Cover of Eastbay Magazine
EDD donned the cover of Eastbay Magazine for the first time and sat down for an exclusive interview. She discussed how her dad introduced her to the sport, her most memorable game, and the best advice she would give her younger self. Delle Donne also debuted some of the apparel from Nike’s Elite Women’s Basketball Collection.
MAKING MY @EASTBAY COVER DEBUT TODAY! CHECK IT OUT! pic.twitter.com/54PM1FEhhq
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) November 16, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=yEJlYzpOgIo
December 11: Takes Part in Jr. NBA Tutorial
Delle Donne is one of the most gifted female basketball players in the world, but that doesn’t mean she won’t spend hours upon hours in the gym working on her craft. She’s a member of the Jr. NBA Leadership Council, and in early December taught the intricacies of how to master the step back jumper that has made her an unstoppable force on the offensive side of the floor.
February 12: Plays In NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
In 2003 the Celebrity Game was added to the festivities of NBA All-Star Weekend. Like its name suggests, actors, musicians, and comedians all take the floor to go head-to-head for basketball bragging rights in the entertainment world.
To add some real talent to the mix the top WNBA players often find themselves alongside the likes of Kevin Hart and Justin Bieber . This year EDD got the chance to play on Hart’s Team USA squad that ultimately were defeated by Drake’s Team Canada 74-64. Despite the loss Delle Donne made the most of her opportunity, and even rejected Arcade Fire’s Win Butler.
Photos: WNBA Players at NBA All-Star Weekend
https://instagram.com/p/BBtG9gIi3f4/?taken-by=wnba
February 16: Answers Fan Questions For The Players Tribune
Since its inception in early October of 2014 The Players Tribune has been a direct line between fans and their favorite athletes. Delle Donne took part in everything the unique media outlet has to offer when she answered questions submitted by some of her biggest fans. Nothing was off-limits for the star who answered everything from who talks the most trash on the court to where the best place to take a first date in Chicago is.
Took some questions from the fans, check out my @PlayersTribune mailbag https://t.co/Ft8Vzchx9M
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) February 16, 2016
February 21-23: Participates in USAB Camp
Delle Donne was one of 16 of the best female ballers on the planet that descended on Storrs, Connecticut and the hallowed hardwood at UConn. They all were there to participate in the last Team USA minicamp before the final 12 roster spots will be decided on who will make the trip to Rio De Janeiro to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
EDD was joined by fellow superstars Maya Moore, Brittney Griner, as well as seasoned veterans like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings. Head coach Geno Auriema and Team USA will look to add a sixth-straight Olympic gold medal to the trophy case this summer.
Feburary 29: Celebrates Leap Day With Dunk
2016 is a leap year, and social media was abuzz with NBA stars celebrating February 29th with their best dunks in honor of the “leap.” EDD was no different, as her and the Chicago Sky took to Twitter to post the reigning MVP throwing down a one-hand alley-oop with ease. It’s athleticism like this that makes Delle Donne a box-office attraction every time she takes the floor.
Wait for it…
Happy #LeapDay Sky fans! pic.twitter.com/41EkZFM75J
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 29, 2016
March 17: Unveils Team USA Olympic Uniforms and Participates in Nike’s Innovation Summit
This summer both the men’s and women’s national teams will take the floor in Rio looking to capture Olympic gold medals. Delle Donne was chosen as the representative from the women’s team to unveil the new uniforms for the games and posed alongside Kevin Durant in the new threads. EDD competed for team USA at the 2011 World University Games but this summer will mark the first time she represents the red, white and blue at the Olympic level. She also spoke at Nike’s Innovation Summit where she made headlines by voicing some interesting ideas for changing the women’s game.
Mercury star Diana Taurasi later offered another headline-grabbing counter.
Nike unveils uniforms for 2016 #USABMNT & #USABWNT w/ Kevin Durant @KDTrey5 & Elena Delle Donne @De11eDonne modeling pic.twitter.com/oXUtF1GQHw
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 17, 2016
Two great role models for guys & girls to look up to. Teammates on our Olympic Team. @KDTrey5 + @De11eDonne. pic.twitter.com/zO33uuDrdL
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) March 17, 2016
March 19: Travels “Around The World” at Epcot in Disney World
Shortly after posing for the Team USA jersey release Delle Donne boarded a jet to the “happiest place on earth” — Disney World, of course. It wasn’t a trip to Space Mountain that caught EDD’s attention, but rather all that Epcot Center has to offer. Delle Donne wasted no time getting her tour started.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDG3oLRmNe6/?taken-by=de11edonne
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDG6pjmGNUv/?taken-by=de11edonne
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDG9_fkGNdZ/?taken-by=de11edonne
March 23: Tests Her Driving Skills at the Golf Channel
Basketball may be her passion, but the team over the Golf Channel wanted to see if a spot on the LPGA tour could be in her future.
Not bad for a @WNBA MVP! We tested out @wnbachicagosky's @De11eDonne in the simulator: https://t.co/ZXbLOk3t0m pic.twitter.com/LL6IilUzCw
— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday) March 23, 2016
April 3: Does Her Best Steph Curry Impression
Stephen Curry isn’t the only MVP who has 30-foot range.
EDD showed that in a behind-the-scenes video of her workout posted to her Twitter account.
Doing my best @StephenCurry30 impression today. He makes it look so effortless. #watchmework #wnba20 pic.twitter.com/BRww0980Db
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) April 3, 2016
April 17: Throws Down Another One
Delle Donne sparked much debate after suggesting that lowering the rims might improve the women’s game. Candace Parker responded by saying no matter the rim height, she can still throw down.
EDD vaulted herself back into the discussion, letting the video speak for itself:
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) April 17, 2016
April 23: Participates In The #RunningManChallenge
In response to the submission from the UConn women’s basketball team, the WNBA MVP posted her own version of the Running Man Challenge and had fun with it:
Am I doing it right?! ?? #RunningManChallenge #runningman pic.twitter.com/0YY8B88k8x
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) April 23, 2016
May 11: Announced as Cover of Chicago Magazine
Alright @De11eDonne! Cover of @ChicagoMag? #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/TifRK1B2Xl
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 11, 2016