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WNBA News: Elena Delle Donne Becomes Fastest Player to Reach 3,000 Career Points

Joseph Zucker|
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 13: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Chicago Sky on June 13, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 13: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Chicago Sky on June 13, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Elena Delle Donne Hits 3,000 Career Points in Fewest Games Ever

Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne made history during Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

With four points in the first quarter of the contest, Delle Donne reached 3,000 career points in 148 appearances. The league and Mystics announced that makes her the fastest player to hit the benchmark:

According to WNBA.com, Delle Donne is averaging 20.4 points per game, which is second all time behind Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. At her current pace, the 28-year-old could potentially challenge Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi, who has scored 8,306 points and counting.

Delle Donne hit the ground running in the WNBA. As a rookie, she averaged 18.1 points per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. Her 25.2 player efficiency rating and 6.5 win shares were fourth-highest ever by a rookie.

Only into her sixth season, Delle Donne is a four-time All-Star and soon to be five-time All-Star when this year’s roster is announced. She also earned All-WNBA first-team honors on two occasions and was the WNBA MVP in 2015.

Delle Donne might be in a better position to collect her second MVP were it not for Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart. Stewart looks like the runaway favorite, but Delle Donne’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Mystics sit third in the WNBA with a 13-8 record despite the absence of Emma Meesseman. Delle Donne is a big reason for that. She’s second in scoring (20.5 points) behind Stewart and 15th in rebounds (6.6). Her 2.5 assists per game are nearly a full assist higher than her career average (1.7) as well.

Delle Donne missed out on being honored as one of the WNBA’s top 20 players through its first 20 years. Should the league make a similar list to coincide with its 25th anniversary, Delle Donne will undoubtedly be recognized.

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