By Dave Krider
MaxPreps.com
Elena Delle Donne, the nation's No. 1-ranked girls basketball player, announced this week that she will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall of 2008. The 6-5 senior sharp shooter from Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.) also considered Tennessee, Villanova and Middle Tennessee.
The Huskies may be starting another NCAA reign of terror because just ahead of Delle Donne are National Player of the Year Maya Moore (2007) and Tina Charles (2006). Coach Geno Auriemma also has commitments from three others ranked among the nation's top 35 seniors: 6-4 Heather Buck (Stonington, Conn.), 6-0 Tiffany Hayes (Winter Haven, Fla.) and 5-11 Caroline Doty (Pottstown, Pa.).
Delle Donne averaged 28.5 points and 10 rebounds as a junior, leading the Raiders to their third state championship during her career. She exploded for 50 points in the title game. In four varsity seasons - covering 99 games - she has 2,382 points, 967 rebounds, 235 assists and 129 steals. As a sophomore she set a national record by making 80 consecutive free throws.
Apparently no other college really had a chance because she told the Connecticut Post, "UConn has always been one of those dreams for me. When I say the name UConn, and say I'm going there, I get chills. The name speaks for itself."