Two-Time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne to Take Break From Basketball, per Report

Delle Donne reportedly intends to take some time to consider her future.

Former Washington Mystics star and two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne has decided to take some time away from basketball, opting against signing a one-year super max contract with the Mystics in free agency, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Wednesday evening.

It’s not clear how long Delle Donne plans to be away from the game, but Shelburne reports that the 34-year-old told Washington she wasn’t certain about her future and didn’t want to interfere with any free agency plans the team may have.

Delle Donne has dealt with multiple back injuries during the second half of her illustrious career, and underwent two surgeries in 2020, one in January and the other in December. She has not played a full season since winning the WNBA Finals in 2019, the Mystics’ lone championship, and missed the entire '20 campaign before featuring in just three games in ‘21.

Last year, Delle Donne made her seventh trip to the All-Star Game. She played in 23 of Washington's 40 games and averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

With Delle Donne’s future uncertain, the Mystics placed the core designation on her, which would protect them from losing her without compensation in free agency should she opt to resume her career.