On Tuesday, Diana Taurasi officially announced her retirement from the WNBA, closing the door on an incredible 20-year career.
When contemplating the thought of preparing to run it back for a 21st season, the 42-year-old Taurasi told TIME Magazine, “I just didn’t have it in me. That was pretty much when I knew it was time to walk away.” She continued, “Mentally and physically, I’m just full. That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
After 20 years of playing in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi is officially retiring
Thank you Diana for changing the game forever, all of the accolades could never amount to the type of person and edge you embodied when you stepped out there on the court
One-of-One pic.twitter.com/dEtE4NDrGH
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 25, 2025
Whether or not she is your GOAT, Taurasi has compiled a resume that exudes all-time greatness. Her accomplishments across four seasons at UConn, 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury and a two-decade tenure with Team USA include:
2x Naismith Player of the Year (2003, 2004)
2x NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2003, 2004)
3x NCAA Champion (2002-04)
WNBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
11x WNBA All-Star
14x All-WNBA
WNBA MVP (2009)
2x WNBA Finals MVP (2009, 2014)
3x WNBA Champion (2007, 2009, 2014)
WNBA All-Time Leading Scorer
6x Olympic Gold Medalist
Her impact on the sport, however, exceeds her achievements. Taurasi was ahead of her time in flaunting a bold and brash personality, refusing to obey the proprieties long foisted on women athletes. DT did it her way—and wasn’t afraid to tell you about it. She sneered with confidence and oozed competitiveness.
As Sue Bird, her UConn compatriot turned WNBA rival, said of Taurasi to TIME, “It’s just the full package. You add on some swag to that, some sh-t talking to that—the more you piss her off, the better she plays, people are entertained by that.”
LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, offered a similar assessment of Taurasi’s influence, saying, “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.”
We agree. Thank you, DT.
