Sports

Delle Donne named WNBA's most valuable player

September 19, 2019
Team Delle Donne forward Elena Delle Donne (11) shoots during the second half of the WNBA All Star game at Mandalay Bay Events Center. — Reuters
Team Delle Donne forward Elena Delle Donne (11) shoots during the second half of the WNBA All Star game at Mandalay Bay Events Center. — Reuters

NEW YORK — Elena Delle Donne has long been an elite player in the WNBA but the Washington Mystics forward reached another level this year and was named the league's most valuable player on Thursday.

Delle Donne was a near-unanimous choice for MVP as she received 41 of 43 first-place votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters while Phoenix center Brittney Griner earned the other top votes to finish a distant second.

During her standout season, Delle Donne became the first WNBA player in history to join basketball's 50-40-90 club after she averaged 51.5% from the field, 43% from three-point range and 97.4% from the foul line.

Delle Donne, who was second in the WNBA with an average of 19.5 points per game, led Washington to a league-best 26-8 record and the top seed in the playoffs. The Mystics lead the Las Vegas Aces 1-0 in the best-of-five semifinal.

Having also won the MVP award in 2015 while a member of the Chicago Sky, Delle Donne is the first Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) player to earn the honor with two different teams. — Reuters


September 19, 2019
HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
5 days ago

Neom FC clinches First Division spot with a thrilling victory over Al Zulfi

Sports
5 days ago

Hiba Al Owaidi becomes first female main referee in Saudi Women's League

Sports
6 days ago

Salem Al Dawsari's goal secures Saudi victory over Tajikistan in World Cup qualifiers