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August 18, 2008
Elena Bound For Delaware
Elena Delle Donne is among the most high profile players ever to play high school basketball. She was named the 2008 Naismith and WBCA Player of the Year and was recognized as the top player in the Class of 2008.
Delle Donne, a 6-foot-5 guard from Wilmington, Del, was projected as a major player in UConn’s drive toward a sixth national championship this season. But less than 48 hours after UConn coach Geno Auriemma issued a statement that she will not enroll at UConn, Delle Donne issued a statement today saying that she will not play college basketball at all this season.
Instead, Delle Donne said she intends to enroll at the University of Delaware this fall.
``I have decided that in the best interest of both UConn and myself that I will not play college basketball this year,’’ Delle Donne said in a statement. ``Both UConn and I require a 100 percent dedication to the sport, and as of now I feel I can not give that level of commitment. It therefore would be unfair to the excellent program, Coach Geno Auriemma, the team, and UConn fans for me to play.’’
Delle Donne, who signed a binding National Letter of Intent last November, spent just two days on the UConn campus this summer before abruptly returning home June 3. At the time, she cited that she needed to take a personal break.
The statement provided her first public comments since her departure.
``Coach Auriemma and the team have been extremely understanding during this time of my transition from high school to college, and I thank them for that,’’ Delle Donne said. ``I am especially grateful to Coach Auriemma whose kind wisdom has shown me why UConn is such a class program.’’
There is speculation that Delle Donne will attempt to join the Delaware volleyball program this season. However, she must first be released from her scholarship at UConn in order to compete for the Blue Hens. Also, Delaware coach Bonnie Kenny said Monday that she has yet to speak with Delle Donne.
Sources said today that Delle Donne has yet to ask to be released from her scholarship. And Auriemma said in an e-mail to the Connecticut Post today that there is ``no timetable’’ for her release.
Until she is released from her scholarship Delle Donne cannot participate in collegiate athletics for one school year at another school that recognizes the letter-of-intent system. If she is released from her scholarship she could then take advantage of a one-transfer exemption that would permit her to immediately participate in any sport – with the exception of basketball – at a Division I school.
Ultimately, there are two forms of release – partial and complete. A partial release from a scholarship would leave Delle Donne with just three years of eligibility should she play basketball after sitting out one year. A complete release voids the National Letter of Intent and would give Delle Donne four years of eligibility.
UConn granted Kia Wright a complete release from her scholarship after she left the team during the summer of 2003 after spending roughly two weeks on campus before leaving. She completed her four-year career at St. John’s this past season.
Rich
Posted by Elliott on August 18, 2008 2:21 PM
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