- Slug: Sports–Diana Taurasi Retires, 700 words.
- 3 photos available.
By Ari Wohl
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – Turns out last season was, indeed, it.
Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and three-time champion whose “If This Is It” campaign teased calling it a career to end the 2024 season, hung up her No. 3 Phoenix Mercury jersey Tuesday in her official retirement announcement.
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time magazine. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
Taurai leaves behind a legacy that transcends her on-court achievements, with her influence on women’s basketball inspiring generations. Across 20 WNBA seasons, all with the Mercury, she won WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014, and U.S. gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.
“She’s a special person, special personality, and that was always going to translate outside of the game,” said Seth Sulka, the general manager of the Phoenix Mercury when Taurasi was drafted.
In 2017, Taurasi passed Hall of Famer Tina Thompson to become the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. Over the next few seasons, she became the only WNBA player to reach 10,000 points, and retires with 10,646 total points.
“She revolutionized the game with her scoring ability, infectious personality and the edge she brought to the court every night,” Mercury and Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein said in a statement. “There will only ever be one Diana Taurasi, and she will continue to inspire us for years to come and remain part of the fabric of this city.”
Taurasi was a decorated high school basketball player and chose to play collegiate basketball at the University of Connecticut under coach Geno Auriemma. At UConn, Taurasi won three consecutive NCAA titles in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and won two consecutive Naismith College Player of the Year awards in 2003 and 2004.
In 2004, the Mercury selected Taurasi with the first overall pick. Over the next 20 seasons, Taurasi cemented her legacy among the greats. She was selected to 11 All-Star Games, 10 All-WNBA First Teams, named MVP in 2009 and brought Phoenix its only three WNBA titles.
Aside from her decorated career on the court, Taurasi has played a pivotal role in the growth of women’s basketball. She has been an advocate for women’s sports, while helping to increase visibility and support for the WNBA and women’s basketball globally. She has also helped pave the way for future generations of female players.
“Just seeing her transcend the game, watching little girls want to play like her, her style, her flair, her bravado, you know, her swagger, it’s been an unbelievable treat,” LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, told TIME.
Taurasi’s retirement adds to a long list of offseason changes as the Mercury head into the 2025 season. Phoenix star Brittney Griner signed to the Atlanta Dream in free agency. Natasha Cloud and Sophie Cunningham were traded away from Phoenix in separate deals. The Mercury acquired Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings and Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun.
Taurasi played 36 games last season and finished as the third-highest scorer averaging 14.9 points per game. Her departure will be felt on the court, across the league and across the city.
“On behalf of the WNBA family, 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. 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,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
Mercury president Vince Kozar called Taurasi “the greatest athlete in Arizona history.” He added in a statement that “we are where we are today – this organization, league and our game – because of Diana Taurasi.”
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