Diana Taurasi, one of the most prolific players in women’s basketball history, decides to hang up her jersey. As she walks up to the press table, a roar of applause emerges. Taurasi hugs Scorch, the Phoenix Mercury’s team’s mascot since 2002, and adjusts the microphone in front of her.
She utters the word, “Wow.”
As Taurasi, the SoCal native who twice named California Ms. Basketball at Don Lugo (Chino Calif.), also led UConn to three consecutive NCAA titles in 2002-04, thanks the people for showing up as reality washes over her face.
“I don’t think it’s felt real until just now. I haven’t been in this building, I think, since the last shoot-around, right, Coach?” Taurasi says.
She recollects the memories of being in Phoenix and proceeds to thank a host of individuals for their unwavering support, beginning with her family and then shining a light specifically on her wife, Penny Taylor, who also played with the Mercury and is also a Ring of Honor member with the franchise. She thanks the Mercury staff and front office and emphasizes that her 20-year career in Phoenix is a testament to her sacrifice, which defines her love for the game of basketball.
“It Was Time”
Taurasi knew it was time when the new calendar year approached, and her annual preparation for a season became more delayed as the weeks, then months, passed by.
“I knew in my heart that I didn’t have it in me to put that four-month preparation going into the season, and I was fine with that,” Taurasi said.
Taurasi reflects on what 20 years felt like and was lucky enough to be a part of. The last 20 years of Taurasi’s career are simple: “I just wanted to win.”
Taurasi credits her circle and the city of Phoenix for all of the support and ensures reciprocity is a main goal for her success. “I always considered being in Phoenix a two-way street, for as much as they’ve done for me, I wanted to give that back, and that was to win,” she said.
Taurasi’s legacy is forever etched in basketball history, but in Phoenix, she will be considered immortal as her retirement from the WNBA leaves an opportunity for upcoming women athletes. The goal to leave the game better than when you found it is considered a success for her.
A Legacy Fulfilled
Taurasi will now join Phoenix Mercury history as the sixth member of the Mercury Ring of Honor, alongside Jennifer Gillom, Cheryl Miller, Bridget Pettis, Taylor, and Michele Timms, as announced in a recent press release. When asked about her reaction to the prestigious honor, she replied, “I had a great conversation with Matt (Ishbia), and whenever you talk to him, he gives you this burst of energy and really wants you to represent the city and franchise. He has such love and admiration, and it’s really nice to feel that.”
Taurasi will also have her jersey number retired in the ceremony, adding to the already featured Diana Taurasi courts in the Mercury’s new state-of-the-art practice facility in downtown Phoenix.
D By The Numbers
Taurasi was selected No. 1 overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Mercury and has since played her entire career with the franchise. In 20 seasons, she averaged 18.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 565 regular season games. She is one of four players in NBA/WNBA history to play 20 seasons for one franchise, joining Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem, and the late Kobe Bryant. Her 20 seasons in the WNBA are the most in history.
Along with her decorated career, Taurasi is a three-time champion (2007, 2009, and 2014), a 14-time ALL-WNBA selection, an 11-time WNBA All-Star, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP, a 2009 WNBA MVP, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, and was voted the WNBA Greatest Player of All Time in the 2021 25th Anniversary season. Taurasi retires as the WNBA all-time leader in scoring (10,646), made field goals (3,341), three-point field goals (1,447), and free throws made (2,517) while also ranking 4th in WNBA history in assists (2,394).
Congratulations Diana, and cheers to the next chapter!
