The WNBA announced today that Elena Delle Donne, the first year guard/forward for the Chicago Sky was voted the WNBA�s 2013 Rookie of the Year. Delle Donne received every vote from a panel of 39 national sports media writers and broadcasters.

"It is an incredible honor to be named Rookie of the Year. There is an unbelievable amount of rookie talent in the league this year, and I am proud to be receiving this award,� explained Delle Donne. �This is something that I could not have achieved without the help and support of my teammates and coaches both on and off the basketball court. I want to thank everyone who has supported me through my rookie season and especially thank those who voted for me for this award."

Delle Donne�s transition to the professional game seemed effortless, as she established herself as the Sky�s top scorer (18.1 per game) and led the team to become the second strongest free throw shooting team in the team behind her 92.9% accuracy from the charity line. During the 2013 regular season, she averaged 5.60 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the three-point this season.

She completed the season as the top rookie in points per game, good for fourth overall on list of established veterans. Delle Donne was also the top rookie in three-point percentage, sitting second in the league, and lead all players in free throw percentage. Her average of 1.8 blocks per game was second amongst all rookies an fifth overall.

Contributing heavily to the Sky�s success this season, Delle Donne earned four WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards. She also swept the league�s Rookie of the Month series, taking home the title for June, July, August and September.

Delle Donne made history several times this season. She had the best debut for a Sky rookie is franchise history recording 22 points against Phoenix on May 27. Her opening game point total put her third in league history for points by a rookie in a debut game. Her 32 points against Minnesota on August 11 improved her Sky rookie record for points in a single game. Delle Donne set Sky rookie records in three-point field goals (42), blocks (54) and points (543) in a single season. Making 157 total free throws this season, Delle Donne set a new Sky single season free throws made record.

In honor of her achievement, Delle Donne will receive $5,000 and a trophy designed specially by Tiffany & Co.

Delle Donne and her teammates open their playoff run at home against the Indiana Fever tonight at 6 p.m. CT. The Sky will take on defending WNBA champions, the Indiana Fever. The game will air locally on The U Too and nationally on NBA TV.