Six-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi announced her retirement from the WNBA on Tuesday, closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in all of basketball.
The league¡¯s 42-year-old all-time leading scorer brought home three championships in her 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her first overall after she led UConn to three collegiate titles.
¡°Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage,¡± WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
¡°She has earned the unquestioned respect of players around the globe, delivered electrifying moments and captivated fans again and again.¡±
The first basketball player to earn six Olympic golds, Taurasi¡¯s 10,646 career points in the WNBA is nearly 3,000 more than the next highest scorer Tina Charles.
The 11-time WNBA All-Star joined the league in its eighth season and quickly became one of its biggest stars, helping it grow into a ratings hit through her electrifying play and her prodigious three-point scoring.
¡°Diana is the greatest to have ever played the game,¡± Mercury owner Mat Ishbia said in a statement. ¡°I¡¯ve been a fan of her my entire life, she is the ultimate leader and teammate.¡±
Taurasi, who became the oldest to play for USA Basketball at an Olympics last summer in Paris, had long been the subject of retirement rumors and she told Time magazine she ¡°just didn¡¯t have it in me¡± anymore.
¡°Mentally and physically, I¡¯m just full,¡± the two-time WNBA Finals MVP said. ¡°That¡¯s probably the best way I can describe it. I¡¯m full, and I¡¯m happy.¡±
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from current and former players, who praised the five-time scoring champion¡¯s tenacity on the court and aggressive playing style.
¡°Her legacy is unmatched,¡± Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo wrote on social media.
¡°LEGEND. GOAT. WINNER,¡± wrote All Star Angel Reese. ¡°Thank you DT.¡±
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.