Basketball notes: Elena Delle Donne gets WNBA MVP

Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky was announced Wednesday as the WNBA’s most valuable player.

Delle Donne averaged 23.4 points and 33.3 minutes in 31 games this season. She also shot 95% from the free-throw line and averaged 9.4 rebounds.

She beat out former Connecticut stars Maya Moore (246 votes) and Tina Charles (181). Brittney Griner (70) was fourth in the voting, ahead of the Sparks’ Candace Parker (57).

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Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 15 rebounds to help Lithuania overcome Italy, 95-85, in overtime at Lille, France, for a place in the semifinals of the European basketball championship. Lithuania will next play Serbia, which beat the Czech Republic, 89-75.

Danilo Gallinari, who finished with 17 points, forced overtime with a drive inside, but Lithuania dominated in the extra five minutes despite three turnovers.

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Basketball Hall of Famer Moses Malone will be remembered at a funeral service at 10 a.m. PDT on Saturday in Houston. Malone, a three-time NBA most valuable player, died Sunday at age 60.

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The Phoenix Suns have signed center Henry Sims, forwards Cory Jefferson and Kyle Casey and guards Deonte Burton and Terrico White.

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Pat Summitt will remain the Tennessee women’s basketball head coach emeritus this season. A contract obtained through a public records request stated that Summitt has agreed to a deal that will pay her $75,000 for the upcoming season. She received the same amount last year.