PHOENIX — After a legendary career, Diana Taurasi has decided it’s time to step away from professional basketball. The Phoenix Mercury icon took her time to consider the decision, ultimately reaching a conclusion with the same decisiveness that she exhibited throughout her time on the court. During her retirement announcement on Thursday, Taurasi expressed her deep connection to basketball and the fulfillment it brought her both physically and mentally. She shared, “I thought really hard about maybe playing again, but I knew that in my heart, I was physically, mentally, just full with the game of basketball.”
Taurasi has played a pivotal role in elevating women’s basketball to new heights, witnessing a surge in popularity evidenced by increased attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales. Her influence stretches across an entire generation of players, inspired by her tenacity and accomplishments. Her remarkable career began when she led UConn to three consecutive national championships from 2001 to 2004. Drafted by the Mercury as the top pick in 2004, Taurasi’s winning ways continued, spending her entire career in Phoenix and leading the team to three WNBA championships.
Reflecting on her journey, Taurasi expressed her deep connection to Phoenix, noting, “There’s just this pride of being from the Valley that’s close to my heart because for the last 20 years, I’ve really grown up here.” She provided fans with countless memorable moments, being named to the all-WNBA first team ten times and a record 14 total team honors. Additional accolades secure her legacy as one of the best: an 11-time WNBA All-Star, four-time USA Basketball female athlete of the year, and the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Throughout her illustrious career, Taurasi amassed 10,646 points, more than any other player, and set multiple records in the WNBA across categories such as playoff scoring and three-pointers. Her dedication to the game extended beyond the WNBA with six Euroleague championships and a record sixth Olympic gold medal in Paris last year. At 42, Taurasi walked away from a career average of 18.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, showcasing her unrivaled skills.
Her competitive drive centered on one unwavering goal: winning. “I did everything because I wanted to win — I wanted to compete and I wanted to win,” Taurasi said. “I didn’t do it for a little bit of fame, a little bit of money. I did it literally to win and have the respect of the people around me.”
Now retired, Taurasi looks forward to spending time with her wife, Penny Taylor, also a former Mercury player, and their two children. The Mercury have plans to honor her exceptional career by inducting her into their ring of honor this summer, an event befitting one of basketball’s luminaries.
