2013 Women's Basketball NCAA Guide

has enjoyed and appreciated Delle Donne’s evolution.

“She’s definitely a lot more outspoken,” Miller said. “Even when she wasn’t feeling well earlier this season [because of Lyme disease symptoms], she wasn’t the loud one – that was me – but she was still leading by actions. Before, she wouldn’t get on people. She would say something to me or coach Martin. But now, she’s so vocal. She’ll go to a person and say ‘Look for this’ or ‘Go this way.’ Seeing her actually going up and communicate to players is something I hadn’t seen. You can tell she’s a lot more confident in speaking up.”

In the process, Delle Donne has also learned something else about herself. She only recently began considering coaching basketball when her playing career ends. Much of that, she said, sprang from road-trip discussions with Miller about their futures.

“I want to take my playing career as far as it’ll go,” said Delle Donne, who’ll be among the first picks in April’s WNBA draft. “I don’t see myself ever getting out of basketball. I love it and I think I’d like to teach kids how to play and be a coach. I’m a competitor, too, so it’s in my nature. I couldn’t sit behind a desk. I have to be competing, and coaching is a way to do that.”

Miller remembered a recent day-before-game walkthrough on the road during which Delle Donne had suggested some changes in Delaware’s zone defense. When the team got back on the bus, Martin sent Miller a humorous text, suggesting she had competition for her “coach on the court” title.

“Elena’s a very smart basketball player, always has been, but she’s starting to be more of a coach out there, too,” Miller said. “So it was pretty funny. Elena and I have always been on the same page, so that’s great.”

Delle Donne stepped away from basketball for a year after originally going to UConn but returning to Delaware so she could be closer to her family. As Delle Donne’s UD career winds down, Martin enjoys the full-circle viewpoint.

“She talked about stepping away from basketball and had all kinds of stress issues and things that were going on in her life ... and now she’s even talking about becoming a coach,” Martin said.

“I think it’s huge she feels that way and she has her passion back for the game of basketball. I’m just so proud of her as a person.”

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com.