Diana Taurasi Retires

WNBA icon Diana Taurasi has officially announced her retirement from professional basketball.

Widely considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, women’s basketball players of all time, the 42-year-old Taurasi wraps up an extraordinary 20-season career with the Phoenix Mercury. She became the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and a six-time Olympic gold medallist during her tenure.

In an exclusive interview with Time Magazine, she revealed her decision to retire, expressing a sense of mental and physical fulfilment, saying, “I just didn’t have it in me anymore.”

Taurasi’s illustrious career boasts numerous accolades, including three WNBA championships, three NCAA titles with the University of Connecticut, and six Euro League titles. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in 2004, she remained with the franchise for her entire career, guiding them to multiple championships and earning two Finals MVP awards. Her record-breaking 10,646 career points place her nearly 3,000 ahead of the next-highest scorer, Tina Charles.

Beyond her impressive stats, Taurasi’s impact on the game is undeniable. Renowned for her fierce competitiveness and leadership, she has played a crucial role in raising the profile of women’s basketball worldwide. Tributes from across the basketball community continue to pour in, with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hailing her as one of the sport’s greatest competitors. As the league moves forward, Taurasi’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes.

Diana Taurasi’s legendary career is filled with incredible achievements across multiple levels of basketball. Here’s a list of her major accomplishments:

WNBA Accomplishments

  • WNBA All-Time Leading Scorer (10,646 career points)
  • 3× WNBA Champion (2007, 2009, 2014)
  • 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2009, 2014)
  • WNBA MVP (2009)
  • 10× WNBA All-Star (2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021)
  • 14× All-WNBA Selection (10× First Team, 4× Second Team)
  • 5× WNBA Scoring Champion (2006, 2008–2011)
  • WNBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
  • WNBA 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th Anniversary Teams
  • Most career WNBA three-pointers made
  • Most career 30+ point games in WNBA history

International Career

  • 6× Olympic Gold Medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) – most gold medals in Olympic basketball history (men or women)
  • 5× FIBA World Cup Medalist (3× Gold: 2010, 2014, 2018; 2× Bronze: 2006, 2022)
  • 6× EuroLeague Champion

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