Diana Taursai is retiring after 20 seasons, ending one of the greatest careers in women’s basketball history.
The WNBA’s career scoring leader and a three-time league champion, Taursai announced her retirement on Tuesday in an interview with Time magazine. The Phoenix Mercury, the only team she has ever played for, also confirmed her decision.
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taursai told Time Magazine. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
With her taut hair bun and unshakable confidence, Taursai inspired a generation of players while racking up records and championships.
Taursai led UConn to three straight national championships from 2001-04 during her college career, and kept on winning after the Mercury selected her with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2004 WNBA draft.
“It’s hard to put into words, it really is, what this means. When someone’s defined the game, when someone’s had such an impact on so many people and so many places. You can’t define it with a quote,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “It’s a life that is a novel, it’s a movie, it’s a miniseries, it’s a saga. It’s the life of an extraordinary person who, I think, had as much to do with changing women’s basketball as anyone who’s ever played the game.”
The 42-year-old won her sixth Olympic gold medal at the Paris games last summer and finished her WNBA career with 10,646 points.
“I thank Diana for everything that she has brought to the WNBA, her passion, her charisma and, most of all, her relentless dedication to the game,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a 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 is the greatest to have ever played the game. I’ve been a fan of her my entire life, she is the ultimate leader and teammate,” Mercury owner Mat Ishbia said in a statement. “She’s had an incredible impact on our franchise, our community and the game of basketball. Her name is synonymous with the Phoenix Mercury and she will forever be part of our family.”
Taurasi made the all-WNBA first team 10 times and was on the first or second team a record 14 times. She’s also an 11-time WNBA All-Star, four-time USA Basketball female athlete of the year and was the 2004 WNBA rookie of the year.
“In my opinion, what the greats have in common is, they transcend the sport and become synonymous with the sport,” Auriemma said. “For as long as people talk about college basketball, WNBA basketball, Olympic basketball, Diana is the greatest winner in the history of basketball, period. I’ve had the pleasure of being around her for a lot of those moments, and she’s the greatest teammate I’ve ever coached.”
Diana Taurasi has made an incredible impact on the game, leaving behind a legacy that will be felt for generations to come. From her dominance at UConn to her unmatched success with the Phoenix Mercury and Team USA, she has shown excellence at every level. Her records, championships, and leadership not only shaped the WNBA but have inspired countless players. As she steps away from the court, her influence is undeniable. And her name forever will be remembered among the greatest to play the game.
