It’s official: Diana Taurasi officially announced her WNBA retirement.
Taurasi toyed with the idea of retirement all season long, leaving fans with an “if this was it” slogan that hinted at a possible retirement. Now that it’s official, what a heck of a ride it’s been for Taurasi.
Her final game was in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Lynx, where she received a standing ovation after fouling out. While it remained uncertain whether this was truly Taurasi’s last game, only she knew what the future held.
Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi was a proven winner even before entering the league. A 3x National Champion under Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies, Taurasi is one of the most decorated athletes ever.
Nicknamed “White Mamba” by Kobe Bryant, Taurasi became one of the most fearless and one of the greatest ever to grace the hardwood. A true pioneer in women’s basketball, Taurasi paved the way for several women in the sport.
“Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a PR statement. “She leaves a lasting legacy, and the future of the WNBA is in a great position because of her impact that will be felt for generations to come.”
Diana Taurasi spent All 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury
Taurasi leaves behind a franchise with which she played 20 seasons. In August 2023, she secured 10,000 career points, making her the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646. The former Husky is fourth in all-time assists with 2,394 and leads the WNBA in three-pointers made (3,014).
Records are meant to be broken, although Taurasi’s may not be for some time. In 565 career games played, Taurasi leads former UConn Husky Tina Charles for the all-time scoring record by 2,950 points. Charles, 36, recently returned to the Connecticut Sun in what will be her 15th WNBA season. While Charles and DeWanna Bonner are the only two active players among the top five in scoring, Taurasi understands records are meant to be broken.
“My scoring record, or the six gold medals, someone’s going to come around that has the same hunger, the same addiction to basketball, and put those records in a different way, a different name,” Taurasi told Time’s Sean Gregory. “That’s what sports is all about. That’s going to be fun to watch. Hopefully not soon.”
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Diana Taurasi Is one of the Greatest of All Time in WNBA History
Known as the “Goat,” Taurasi leaves the game as a 3x WNBA Champion, all with the Phoenix Mercury. Capturing titles in 2007, 2009, and 2014, Taurasi was named Finals MVP against the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky.
Eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2027, Taurasi is additionally a 6x Olympic Gold Medalist, 11x WNBA All-Star, 2009 WNBA MVP, and 4x USA Basketball female athlete of the year. Named to the WNBA 15th and 20th Anniversary team, Taurasi spent several years playing overseas in the offseason. A 6x Euroleague Champion, Taurasi finished her career as a 7x Russian National League Champion.
So, what was the reasoning for Diana Taurasi’s retirement? She told Times Sean Gregory this New Year’s Day “hit different.” Admitting Taurasi didn’t have it in her, “that was pretty much when I I knew it was time to walk away.”
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Gregory. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full, and I’m happy.”
Diana Taurasi’s illustrious WNBA career: A legacy of greatness
Leaving the game a better place than she found it, Taurasi leaves a Mercury team that newly constructed it’s entire roster. Looking towards the future, the retirement news came the same day Phoenix introduced newly acquired star Alyssa Thomas.
Under owner Matt Ishbia, the Mercury recently unveiled their $100 million practice facility during All-Star Weekend in July. The state of the art practice facility includes two courts that that display Taurasi’s logo and name on them.
It’s the first time Mercury fans will see a roster without Taurasi or Brittney Griner since 2013, and the torch will be passed on to Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, and Thomas.
Since Taurasi entered the league, the WNBA attendance and viewership has soared to new heights. While young stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese highlight the league, the WNBA is filled with a ton of talent. Since Taurasi was drafted in 2004, the league is poised for significant growth. Although it wasn’t always that way. Throughout her 20 year career, Taurasi witnessed fluctuations of viewership across the WNBA.
The WNBA is exploding with a bright future ahead
In fact, holding their first expansion draft since 2008, the WNBA will adopt Golden State, Toronto, Portland, and Cleveland as the next host of cities. With record breaking viewership, the WNBA reached 54 million viewers in 2024, which marks the most in over 24 years.
Heading into 2025 , Diana Taurasi leaves a league that’s exploding by the year. With a new Collective Bargaining Agreement set to take place next year, the league has seen several advancements. Just to name a few, that includes charter flights, expanded games, new playoff formats, more teams, increased roster spots, and player sponsorships.
With Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins poised to be the league’s future stars, Taurasi, along with several past athletes, helped shape its current path. Now set to look into the future, Taurasi will do so keeping her family at the forefront. Along with her wife and former teammate Penny Taylor, Taurasi’s focus will be on children Leo, 7, and Isla, 3.
Stating she’s “definitely retired” to Gregory, there’s no doubt DT will miss something she’s been dedicated to her whole life.
“I’m going to miss the competition,” Taurasi told Gregory. “I’m going to miss the inside jokes. I’m going to miss the locker room, the things that come with being on a basketball team. All those things, I’ll deeply miss.”
While the next generation will step in, the entire basketball world will miss forever miss the best to ever play the game. Truly, Diana Taurasi’s longevity and iconic spirit will be forever unmatched.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
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