NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
PHOENIX (AP)— Diana Taurasi is bidding farewell to her remarkable career after two decades, marking the conclusion of one of the most illustrious tenures in women’s basketball.
As the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history and a three-time champion, Taurasi proclaimed her retirement on Wednesday during an interview with Time magazine. The Phoenix Mercury — her sole WNBA team throughout her career — also verified her announcement.
“Mentally and physically, I’m just complete,” Taurasi shared with Time. “That’s perhaps the most accurate way to describe my feeling. I’m complete and content.”
After two long decades in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi has officially announced her retirement 🧡
Thank you, Diana, for revolutionizing the game; your accolades will never fully reflect the spirit and determination you brought to the court.
One-of-One 💐 pic.twitter.com/dEtE4NDrGH
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 25, 2025
With her trademark tight bun and unwavering self-assurance, Taurasi inspired countless players while accumulating records and trophies.
She guided UConn to three consecutive national championships from 2001 to 2004, and her winning ways continued after being selected first overall by the Mercury in the 2004 WNBA draft.
At 42, she earned her sixth Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games and retired with an impressive 10,646 career points—nearly 3,000 points ahead of the second-place scorer, Tina Charles.
In addition to her three WNBA titles with the Mercury, Taurasi secured six Euroleague championships, often competing year-round throughout her career. She was named the WNBA MVP in 2009 and is one of only four players to achieve WNBA Finals MVP twice (2009, 2014).
“Diana Taurasi is one of the fiercest competitors to have ever graced the game of basketball on any level,” stated WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “On behalf of the entire WNBA family, I extend our gratitude to Diana for her incredible contributions to the league – her passion, her charisma, and above all, her unwavering commitment to the sport.
“She leaves behind a profound legacy, and thanks to her influence, the future of the WNBA is in an exceptional position that will be recognized for generations to come.”
Over her career, Taurasi made the all-WNBA first team 10 times and was selected for either the first or second team a record 14 times. An 11-time WNBA All-Star, she also earned honors as the USA Basketball female athlete of the year four times and was the 2004 WNBA rookie of the year.
Hailing from Glendale, California, Taurasi holds numerous WNBA records, including those for playoff scoring, field goals, three-pointers, and 30-point games. Additionally, she has set 16 franchise records with the Mercury.
Throughout her career, Taurasi averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. In her final season, she led the Mercury to the playoffs while averaging 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
