Diana Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer, announced her retirement Tuesday, bringing her decorated 20-season career with the Phoenix Mercury to a close.
The move was expected for Taurasi, who will turn 43 this June. The Mercury honored her at the end of the 2024 WNBA season, promoting the final home game of the year with the phrase, “If This Is It,” and giving Taurasi a postgame ceremony even though she’d yet to officially decide to retire.
She said in September that she did not want to “make any emotional, rash decisions” about her future but added, “I know the end is near.”
In comments to Time Magazine on Tuesday, Taurasi explained what brought her to finalize the decision and call it a career.
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi said. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
Taurasi guided Phoenix to championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014 and won the league MVP award in 2009. She ranks first all-time in WNBA history in points (10,646) and 3-pointers (1,447) and is fourth in assists (2,394).
On top of her lengthy professional career — she was a 14-time All-WNBA selection and a five-time scoring champion — she won three consecutive NCAA championships at UConn and won six consecutive Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
“Until someone comes along and eclipses what she’s done, then yes, she is” the greatest women’s basketball player of all time, UConn coach Geno Auriemma told Time.
The WNBA thanked Taurasi “for changing the game forever” in a post on X, and commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement on her retirement.
“Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage,” Engelbert said. “In a record-setting career that saw her play 20 seasons, score more points and make more three-point shots than any player in WNBA history, she has earned the unquestioned respect of players around the globe, delivered electrifying moments and captivated fans again and again.
“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.”
–Field Level Media
