Breaking: Phoenix Mercury Icon Diana Taurasi Retires from Basketball!

Diana Taurasi, a towering figure in women’s basketball, has declared her retirement in a recent interview with TIME magazine.

“I just didn’t have it in me anymore. That realization was my cue to step aside,” Taurasi shared. “Both mentally and physically, I feel complete. It’s a fulfilling and contented feeling.”

After being the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft from UConn, Taurasi spent two decades with the Phoenix Mercury, clinching three WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. She was awarded Finals MVP in 2009 and 2014.

In 2009, she also earned the prestigious league MVP title, boasting an impressive season average of 20.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, leading the Mercury to another championship victory.

Taurasi was an 11-time WNBA All-Star and was selected for 14 All-WNBA teams throughout her career. She made the First-Team All-WNBA selection ten times and was a four-time Second-Team selectee.

She stands as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points, well ahead of Tina Charles who is second. Taurasi is also the top performer in three-point field goals and ranks fourth in assists in the league’s history.

Her achievements extend internationally as well; Taurasi is a three-time Euroleague MVP and thrice crowned Russian League Player of the Year. She secured six Euroleague championships while playing overseas during the WNBA off-seasons.

Furthermore, Taurasi’s Olympic feats are nothing short of legendary, having won six gold medals with the USA women’s basketball team.

There’s a compelling case to be made that Taurasi is arguably the greatest female basketball player of all time.

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