In an extract from a new book on how elite athletes are made, Tim Wigmore and Mark Williams unlock the secrets of the world’s best players
When she has a free throw, Elena Delle Donne bounces the basketball three times. Then, she says a few words to herself and “I let it fly”. Nineteen times out of 20, Delle Donne scores.
Delle Donne is the most successful free-throw shooter in basketball history. She has landed 93.8% of her free throws in the rim – over 3% more than nearest rival, Steph Curry. She once made 59 consecutive free throws.
Related: Elena Delle Donne: ‘It took my wife to help me be myself’
Related: The pure joy of watching Steph Curry return to otherworldly form
5+ minutes without a miss.
Stephen. Curry. pic.twitter.com/8DV0z5gtib