Delaware is where Delle Donne's heart's always been

NEWARK, Del. - Sometimes bigger isn't always better, even when you are the best.

Elena Delle Donne knew what she was expected to do.

In 2008, as the No. 1-rated high school player in the nation at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, she would have been welcomed by every women's college basketball program in the country.

In the world of college recruiting, it is expected that a prospect as talented as Delle Donne will end up at one of the super-elite programs.

The best always go to the best.

So even though something was tugging at her, telling her that might not be right for her, Delle Donne did what was expected.

She committed to the University of Connecticut - NCAA women's basketball royalty.

At UConn, Delle Donne's collegiate experience was preordained to be wrapped around national championships and undefeated seasons.

But that thing kept tugging.

UConn was not where she wanted to be - neither was Tennessee, Stanford, Duke or any other big-name college program.

In June 2008, after only 2 days of a summer-school program at Connecticut, Delle Donne returned to her home in Wilmington. She returned her scholarship.

More than that, she said she was "burned out" on basketball.

She went on to enroll at the University of Delaware and joined the volleyball team as a walk-on.

Was that really it? Could the player some called the "LeBron James of women's basketball" really just walk away from the game?

"I wasn't sure," said Delle Donne, now a 22-year-old junior starring on the Blue Hens women's basketball team. "I wanted to stay an athlete, play volleyball and be a part of a team.

"I wanted to go to college, and Delaware is a great school that is near my family. I just thought I'd go to school, enjoy my freshman year, play volleyball and see where it takes me."

OK, so we know it ultimately took her back to basketball.

Delle Donne joined the Blue Hens team for the 2009-10 season and averaged 26.7 points - third highest in the nation.

The magic was still there.

She was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. She became UD's first All-America when she was named to the third team by the Associated Press and honorable mention by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

As a sophomore, despite missing 11 games while being treated for Lyme disease, Delle Donne averaged 25.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.

AP named her All-America honorable mention.

Over the summer, Delle Donne led the United States in scoring as it won the gold medal at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China.

Coming into the 2011-12 season, Delle Donne was on the preseason Wade National Player of the Year Trophy Watch List and the John Wooden Top 30 list.

Currently, she leads the NCAA in scoring with 29.8 points a game for a Blue Hens team that has its highest ranking ever at 20th.