Delle Donne says no to UConn and basketball

[YCN]

Stunning news that people probably saw coming. I feel both sad and relieved for her, but I worry about when she thinks about that road not taken.

http://www.courant.com/sports/college/husky/women/hcu-delledonne-0816,0,5343235.story

[spooky]

I agree about the mixed feelings. If she is definitely sure that she doesn't want to play basketball any longer, then I'm happy for her, and admire that she had the courage to make that choice against the wishes and expectations of so many people. I do hope she has thought it through completely and is fully aware of all aspects of her decision.

I do get the feeling that, whatever her reasons, they are not recent developments. It makes you wonder how long she's been running the rat race that is elite level basketball without being totally sure of her commitment to that as a future. That couldn't have been any fun, and if that is the case, I can imagine she felt alot of weight off of her shoulders with this decision.

[jcarter]

I don't blame her :)

[OSUCowgirls]

Delle Donne Done
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=3538720

"She's so good," former UConn All-American Kara Wolters told the Connecticut Post. "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.

"Geno said, 'I thought I had seen it all at Connecticut until this.' It's like an engaged couple. You're glad they broke up before they got married and had to have a divorce."

[CYMAN]

"She's so good," former UConn All-American Kara Wolters told the Connecticut Post. "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.

Wolter must not have seen many final fours recently :rotflol:

Very miopic view by Wolters - I too am glad that she decided to do what was best for her and not succumb to the masses and do something that was not in her heart.

[LadyBuff]

If it was no longer in her heart, then she didn't throw anything away. If she changes her mind, can she play basketball for either UConn or another school next year? Perhaps one closer to her sister. Someday, as an adult, she will need to leave home and join the real world and most likely will not be living with her sister.

I hope she decides to get some education. I also hope that she has a happy life.

I also think the toll of being an elite athlete at the high school level is very difficult and may have taken it's toll, as did the recruiting process.

[TTU79]

I agree with Lady Buff on the high school pressures, but I think the AAU may be getting out of hand. With the scandals, costs and pressures, there may need to be some limits set. There could be limits set on number of games, number of tournaments a team can enter and probably others that would help the players out. Once a young lady starts playing basketball, and showing talent at it, it appears to me she doesn't get any kind of break from it. Everyone needs a recharging battery time.

[JK]

I know the circumstances aren't exactly the same, but maybe -- like Erin Buescher at UCSB some years ago -- she will resurface at a school with a lower profile.

[jcarter]

[QUOTE=CYMAN;110395]"She's so good," former UConn All-American Kara Wolters told the Connecticut Post. "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.

Wolter must not have seen many final fours recently :rotflol:

that's true how long has it been?
:D

[ChipperF1]

"Wolter must not have seen many final fours recently

that's true how long has it been?"

# of Tennessee victories in national championship games vs. Connecticut: ZERO. ;)

[jcarter]

total number of titles
Tennessee 8 UConn 5 ;)

[giraffespots]

Homers!;)

[TTU79]

Please, please, please by all the powers that be do not let this become ESPN WBB II. All Tenn. and Conn. all the time.:(

[MsProudSooner]

Please, please, please by all the powers that be do not let this become ESPN WBB II. All Tenn. and Conn. all the time.:(

Ditto! ;)

[LadyBuff]

I know the circumstances aren't exactly the same, but maybe -- like Erin Buescher at UCSB some years ago -- she will resurface at a school with a lower profile.

I hope she does resurface at another school in the future. She has so much talent, but she needs to do what makes her happy.

[jcarter]

she's going to Delaware
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/SPORTS/80818024/1002&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL

[JK]

I was just telling a friend that perhaps that's where she should go.... hopefully she'll end up eventually playing for them and helping their program.

[LadyBuff]

I felt she should stay in Delaware also. I hope UConn will release her from her scholarship and she can play basketball if she so desires. First and foremost, she has to decide if she wants to play basketball.

[sybarite]

I find this to be an interesting story, one that is unlikely to occur in men's basketball. She has made a decision, or is in the process of making a decision for her own reasons. I respect that.

How many young men and women really let someone else's opinions influence their selection of a college or a program? You might go to UConn or Tennessee because they have a history of winning national titles, not because you are really enthused about what you, personally, will derive from spending your undergraduate years at UConn or Tennessee. Did you go there because you wanted others to know that you were good enough to be considered by them? Did you go there because the winning would have validated your existence?

Instead, this is a young woman that is making a decision that has all of us confused because she is using her own criteria, what means something to her. She may or may hot play basketball. Is that important to who she is or wants to be?

Keep us confused, but keep yourself making decisions for your own reasons.

[TTU79]

According to the Conn. newspaper Courant, Gino released Elena from her scholarship today. 'Twas the right thing to do Gino.


http://www.courant.com/sports/college/husky/women/hcu-delledonne-0820,0,5081086.story

[ChipperF1]

I doubt you'll see Elena Delle Donne playing basketball in college...and certainly not at Delaware.

I think she was great at basketball, but really didn't enjoy the sport to the extent that she wants the acclaim, the pressure and the life that that limelight demands. Maybe she'll change her mind and heart over time, but from the looks of the last couple of years her focus is more on the game than the business and that business just wasn't her bag. She saw the intensity level and realized quickly that her psyche wasn't to that level for this activity.

If she thought the pressure was going to be bad at UConn, imagine what it would be like should she don a Blue Hens uniform in 2009-2010. Perhaps the greatest scholastic player in Delaware's history would then be the greatest thing to hit Delaware Athletics since Rich Gannon. The pressure would be above UConn, because of who she is (Hometown Girl), and what she is (Former consensus #1 Prep Prospect, McDonald's-Burger King-Taco Bell-Checkers-Rally-Whataburger All-American). If Delaware doesn't win the CAA or win an NCAA tourney game, those fans are going to be asking "Why?". She's going to be seen as "the one". "Hey, Delle Donne..You were supposed to be good, WHY AREN'T WE WINNING?" (Courtney Paris knows that feeling. She's getting those questions, too.)

Its a quick, fast, harsh trip from "High-Rated Prospect" to "BUST". This is why I don't get hot and heated about the recruiting game. Newcomers have to deal with the pace of the game and the pace of the life. Its an adjustment period and most freshman have to make that adjustment. The Candace Parkers and Courtney Parises of the world are the exceptions. The rule is, freshman will struggle on the floor and off of it at points.

It is also disturbing to see fans...and even a newspaper reporter cracking back on this kid when we don't know the full story and may never know it. I respect her for opting out before play starts than during the season. I've seen what happens with an unhappy player frags a team. Its destroys the cohesion and spirit for all sides.

"Instead, this is a young woman that is making a decision that has all of us confused because she is using her own criteria."

Count me as one of the unconfused. I can understand why. I can understand the confusion as well. But the main reason I'm not confused is because I don't know what her story is. Whatever her reasons are, they are hers and hers alone. I think she's weather this much better than a lot of fans will.

[LadyBuff]

Elena has to be true to herself. Then she has to stick to her decision. I am glad that UConn released her from her scholarship. Now I am afraid she is going to be "recruited" by Delaware. Another decision for her.

It's a tough road to be an elite athlete and not all are ready to play all the games that take place long before they get to college.

[74Bear]

Almost similar to the Emily Nieman story...there were other factors, but basically she was just burned out on basketball as proven when she stopped playing almost immediately at UCSB.

[Bball Girl]

"Instead, this is a young woman that is making a decision that has all of us confused because she is using her own criteria."

And so what's wrong with using your own criteria? Isn't that what life is about - making decisions that are right for your life?

Chipper is on target - the kid has a right to decide what she wants in her life and if basketball isn't it - well it's better that getting to mid-season. It takes a lot of courage to make a decision like this when all the prevailing winds are pushing you on.

[swok34]

Maybe I'm mistaken (don't think I am though).......

but don't you pretty much check your personal/social life at the door when you decide to play DI basketball?

[sybarite]

And so what's wrong with using your own criteria? Isn't that what life is about - making decisions that are right for your life?

Chipper is on target - the kid has a right to decide what she wants in her life and if basketball isn't it - well it's better that getting to mid-season. It takes a lot of courage to make a decision like this when all the prevailing winds are pushing you on.
Neither you nor chipper appear to be aware that I was applauding her for making a decision based on her criteria rather than those usually utilized by others. Neither of you seem to have picked up on the end of the statement, "what means something to her." Neither of you appeared to pick up on the idea that the previous paragraph alludes to the fact that so many base their career and life decisions based on the opinions of others.

Pay attention.

[LadyBuff]

Maybe I'm mistaken (don't think I am though).......

but don't you pretty much check your personal/social life at the door when you decide to play DI basketball?

From what I have witnessed, your entire life centers on basketball. Your social life is pretty much your teammates, especially at a high profile program.