But the Washington Mystics star, who has battled Lyme disease for years, also wonders how his body would react if he contracted Covid-19 while playing.
However, Delle Donne, 30, said in a statement that her personal doctor had told her that she is at high risk.
The panel of doctors was approved by the league and the National Association of Women Basketball Players (WNBPA).
“I was surprised,” Delle Donne, also a vice president of WNBPA, told CNN on Wednesday. “And the process makes it difficult because there’s not even the ability to appeal and I couldn’t speak to the panel.”
“It does, and it scares me,” said Delle Donne. “I mean I know that’s not safe. I know that taking antibiotics for a long time is not healthy, but I also know that when I don’t take that medicine I feel terrible and can’t play basketball, sometimes I can’t even get out of bed. so it’s something I have to do to live the most normal life possible. “
CNN, when contacted by CNN on Monday, declined to comment on Delle Donne’s exclusion request, citing privacy concerns about health.
WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson told CNN in an email Wednesday: “It is not appropriate for the Palestinian Authority to comment on a player’s medical condition. EDD is a valuable and trusted member of our player leadership. The we support 1000% “.
Mystics: “We have intended to (pay you) from the beginning”
Delle Donne is still considering whether to play this season, which begins July 25 and will take place at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. She told CNN that if she decides not to play, she would get “zero percent” of her salary and not receive the majority of her endorsements.
“I have invested a lot in this league and I have seen it grow a lot in my years of being here. So, for a moment like this, feeling that I am bankrupt has been difficult, but all this happens, and I hope we can move forward and this can be a learning experience. “
However, Mystics head coach and general manager Mike Thibault told reporters Wednesday, after CNN’s interview with Delle Donne, that Delle Donne is still paid as a member of the team.
Delle Donne, who helped the Mystics win their first title despite playing the WNBA Finals with three herniated discs, underwent back surgery in January and continues with rehabilitation. According to Thibault, she is not yet physically ready to play.
“She is on our list, she gets paid, and she continues to rehabilitate from her off-season back surgery,” Thibault said. “If at any point in the season we are all comfortable, and I mean everyone, with her physical progress and the security of joining the team in Florida, then we will make those arrangements. If we don’t feel that, then she will continue doing her workouts in DC and preparing for the next season. “
On Wednesday, Thibault was asked if Delle Donne, who has a guaranteed contract, would be paid if her back feels better and she doesn’t feel comfortable playing due to Covid-19 concerns.
“We can do whatever we want when it comes to that,” Thibault said. “We have been meaning to do that (pay her) from the start. She is an important part of our team and is doing her best to do the rehab she needs to do. I don’t want to speculate on what it will look like. In four to six weeks I don’t think it’s fair to us or her right now until we see where she is. “
Delle Donne told CNN that she wants to make her decision as soon as possible and said, “I don’t want this to drag on. I don’t want my teammates in the bubble to have to deal with this.”
However, she said she is fortunate to be in a position to make a decision.
“I know there are many people through Covid who have lost their jobs, who have not been able to decide whether to take care of their health or go to work because they simply do not have a choice,” said Delle Donne. . “So I know I am in a situation where I am super blessed and I will have to figure this out and decide what the best route will be.”
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