Some athletes retire and fade from the conversation. Elena Delle Donne is not one of them.

The two-time MVP, 2019 WNBA Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and Hall of Fame Class of 2026 returned to the court at WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago this July — and walked away a Shooting Stars Champion alongside Shakira Austin and high school star Jezelle “GG” Banks. But for Elena, the moment was never really about the trophy.

“To be able to lead the next generation and see our next superstars rising,” Delle Donne said, “it’s gonna be really cool when she’s in this down the road when she’s a WNBA All-Star.”

That’s Elena Delle Donne in a nutshell. Always thinking about who comes next.

Fighting Through Everything

Elena’s journey to this moment wasn’t easy. Lyme disease and back injuries limited her to just 241 games over 10 seasons and forced her to retire at 33 — far earlier than anyone who watched her play would have expected. But the adversity never dimmed her light or her commitment to the game and the people who play it.

“You just keep your head down, keep working and trust in the process,” she said. “I’m so proud of where this league is and where it will continue to go.”

Those aren’t the words of someone who showed up, collected accolades, and left. They’re the words of someone who invested in something bigger than herself — and meant it.

Paving the Way for Women in Sport

When Elena entered the WNBA in 2013, the league looked nothing like it does today. Teams were averaging fewer than 6,000 fans a night. There was no talk of expansion. Players were told the league might fold if they didn’t do everything they could to keep it alive.

Elena made the choice to stay stateside, build her marketability, and fight for the league’s future when it wasn’t guaranteed. She sacrificed international money to invest in a league she believed in — and this All-Star Weekend, with a sold-out United Center and nine teams averaging 10,000 fans a night, the results of that investment are impossible to ignore.

“We were told you need to do this or this league is folding,” Delle Donne said. “I’m thrilled that conversation is over with and everybody gets to see how incredible this game is and where it’s gonna go.”

The AFH Way

At Athletes for Hope, we talk about platform — what it means to have one, and what it means to use it well. Elena Delle Donne has spent her entire career doing exactly that. On the court, she played through pain and pushed herself to the limit. Off it, she’s advocated for Lyme disease awareness, partnered with Special Olympics, and modeled what it looks like to lead with purpose, humility, and a genuine investment in the people around you.

That’s why she’s a member of the AFH Athlete Leadership Council. And that’s why moments like this one matter — not just as a sports story, but as a reminder of everything this organization was built for.

Congratulations, Elena. The next generation is watching — and they couldn’t have a better example to follow.

Congratulate Elena on Instagram 🏆

Learn more about the AFH Athlete Leadership Council at athletesforhope.org.