Two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne has retired from basketball, saying her body "seemed to make this decision before my mind accepted it" in an Instagram post.

Delle Donne won a WNBA title with the Washington Mystics in 2019 but was hampered by multiple back surgeries and did not play in the league in 2024.

"One of my favorite children's books asked, 'How did it get so late so soon?'" Delle Donne wrote in her post. "I have asked myself that over and over again in the process of coming to the decision to retire from playing basketball. Being able to say that out loud was one of the hardest parts of my career. My body seemed to make this decision before my mind accepted it but I now truly know this is the right thing for me at the right time."

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Delle Donne was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2013 and pushed for a trade to the Mystics after the 2016 season. She won the 2019 title with Washington while playing with three herniated disks. But she didn't play in the 2020 season in the COVID-19 bubble in Bradenton, Florida, and was limited to three games by back issues in 2021 before playing 25 games in 2022 and 23 in 2023.

She missed the 2024 season after deciding not to sign a one-year supermax offer from the Mystics.

Delle Donne, 35, won the WNBA MVP award in 2015 and 2019. She was a seven-time All-Star and four-time all-WNBA first-team selection. She played college basketball at Delaware, where she was a two-time All-American and led the Blue Hens to the Sweet 16 in 2013.

"Words cannot adequately express how thankful I am to my family, all of my incredible teammates, friends, executives, sponsors, staff and most importantly the amazing fans that have accompanied me on this journey," Delle Donne wrote. "This game has been my life and I am grateful for the memories and how much it's given me. It feels good to close this chapter knowing I gave it my all and I can't wait for what's next!"