"Everyone at UConn would like to wish Elena the best of luck," he added. Delle Donne, 18, was chosen as the nation's top female player this spring, winning the Naismith National High School Player of the Year award based on her career at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Del.

She averaged 30 points and 11 rebounds last season, despite missing 10 games because of mononucleosis. She was also Delaware's career leading scorer for boys and girls with 2,475 points. Della Donne would have been the third consecutive national player of the year to attend UConn, following Tina Charles in 2006 and Maya Moore last season.

She came to UConn in June for summer school, but left after two days to return to Delaware. Delle Donne told ESPN then that she needed a long break for problems that go beyond basketball. UConn officials said the statement Saturday will be Auriemma's final comment on the player's departure, "in an effort to respect the privacy of Elena and the Delle Donne family."

(© Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)