not without its challenges but was still in good heart given the performance of its national teams and the growing numbers of women players and improved pathway

The bond between Elena Delle and her sister, Lizzie, was made clear when she famously walked away from Geno Auriemmas Connecticut program after just 48 hours on campus. At first, it felt as though maybe shed burned out on basketball -- that the game shed always loved was somehow the problem. But soon it became clear to her that she wasnt walking away from anything, but rather walking toward her family.Delle Donnes older sister Lizzie has autism and cerebral palsy. Shes been blind and deaf since birth, so the only way for her loved ones to communicate with her is via touch and smell. Being at UConn meant losing all connection to Lizzie, and an 18-year-old Delle Donne just wasnt ready for that loss. She enrolled closer to home, at the University of Delaware, and eventually found the balance of family and basketball she needed.A new short film produced by Gatorade, For The Wind, explores the relationship between the Chicago Sky star and her sister, revealing the joy Lizzie feels when touched by the wind and how special it is for Delle Donne to play in Chicago. Gatorade also constructed a temporary wind-powered art installation outside of the Skys stadium, Allstate Arena. Over 1,500 wind spinners of different colors present different images from various perspectives, including a portrait of Delle Donne visible from one vantage point.The reigning WNBA MVP joined my podcast this week to speak about the project and the serendipitous nature of being drafted by the Sky.Its pretty crazy how fate works in ways like that, she said. The wind meaning so much to the two of us and then being a part of the Windy City and playing for Chicago, it all just came to fruition. Its pretty amazing that it happened that way.Now 27 and in her fourth WNBA season, Delle Donne is able to play hundreds of miles away from home in part because she can still feel Lizzie every day.Truly the first time I left Delaware was when I was drafted here in Chicago, she said. It does have that homey feel, that family feel still. And then obviously when that wind blows and kicks up, its gonna always remind me of Liz.Delle Donne also thinks of Lizzie when shes faced with challenges like injuries and illness. Shes experienced incredible highs in her short time in the league -- being named WNBA Rookie of the Year in her first season and WNBA MVP in her third -- but also some lows, including an extended absence in her second season because of a flare up of Lyme disease, and now a thumb injury for which she underwent surgery last week and is at serious risk of missing the playoffs.Thank goodness for Liz, because theres been ups and downs in my career, said Delle Donne. Once again Im able to put it in perspective and look at her life, look at the challenges shes overcome and, you know, a banged up thumb is nothing compared to what shes had to deal with.As of Monday, Delle Donne is tied with Tina Charles atop the WNBA leaderboard with 21.5 points per game. Shes also tops in free throw percentage and in the top 5 in the league in three-point percentage and blocks. Her absence makes things much more difficult for the Sky, still seeking their first WNBA title.Matt Harvey Angels Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Jonathan Lucroy Angels Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/brian-goodwin-angels-jersey/ . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). Justin Upton Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Shohei Ohtani Angels Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park.Former Black Ferns great Farah Palmer has become the first woman to win inclusion on the board of New Zealand Rugby.The three-time World Cup-winning skipper was unanimously elected as the boards Maori representative following the retirement of Wayne Peters.The 44-year-old is the first female board member in NZRs 124-year history.Her promotion comes at a time when rugbys attitude towards women has been widely criticised following a series of off-field incidents at various levels of the game.The lack of diversity in governance has also been highlighted.Palmer says rugby in New Zealand is not without its challenges but was still in good heart given the performance of its national teams and the growing numbers of women players and improved pathways for Maori.She believes she can provide a different perspective, ensuring NZR continues too meet the high expectations of not just Maori, but all New Zealanders.ddddddddddddChairman Brent Impey stressed Palmers elevation wasnt in response to negative headlines through the second half of 2016.He says her achievements and standing made her the logical person to replace the long-serving Peters.Palmer is a senior lecturer at Massey Universitys School of Management and is a director in the universitys Maori business and leadership centre.A World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, she was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 for services to womens rugby and sport.Earlier this year, the womens provincial championship was renamed the Farah Palmer Cup in recognition of her contribution. 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