Diana Taurasi Retires After 20 Seasons, Ending Historic Career

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Diana Taurasi Retires After 20 Seasons, Ending Historic Career \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and three-time champion, has announced her retirement after 20 seasons, officially ending one of the most storied careers in basketball history. The 42-year-old Phoenix Mercury legend revealed her decision in an interview with Time magazine, saying she is “full and happy” after a career filled with records, championships, and Olympic gold medals. Taurasi leaves the game with 10,646 WNBA points, six Olympic gold medals, and a legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures.

Diana Taurasi Retires After 20 Legendary Seasons: Quick Looks

WNBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer Calls It a Career: Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points, announced her retirement after 20 seasons.
Three-Time WNBA Champion and Six-Time Olympian: Taurasi won three WNBA titles with the Phoenix Mercury and six Olympic gold medals, the most in women’s basketball history.
UConn Legend Reflects on Iconic Career: Taurasi led UConn to three consecutive NCAA championships (2001-04), launching her path to basketball immortality.
Geno Auriemma on Taurasi’s Legacy: “She is the greatest winner in the history of basketball, period.”
Becky Hammon on Taurasi’s Game: “In her prime years, she was a whole last problem. Just nasty out there.”
Phoenix Mercury Honor Their Franchise Star: Owner Mat Ishbia calls Taurasi ‘the greatest to ever play the game,’ praising her impact on the team and community.
What’s Next? Taurasi has not yet revealed her post-retirement plans, but she could pursue coaching, broadcasting, or front-office leadership.

Deep Look

After two decades of dominance, six Olympic gold medals, three WNBA championships, and an unmatched career as the league’s all-time leading scorer, Diana Taurasi has officially announced her retirement.

The 42-year-old Phoenix Mercury icon revealed her decision in an interview with Time magazine, with the Mercury confirming her departure soon after.

“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.”

With her signature confidence, relentless scoring ability, and fierce competitive spirit, Taurasi defined a generation of women’s basketball and inspired countless young players to chase greatness.

A Career of Unmatched Excellence

Taurasi first made her mark at UConn, where she led the Huskies to three straight NCAA championships from 2001-04, establishing herself as a big-game performer and one of the most clutch players in college basketball history.

Her winning mentality followed her to the WNBA, where she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2004. Over two decades, Taurasi:

Became the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points—nearly 3,000 more than second-place Tina Charles.
Won three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014).
Earned 10 All-WNBA First Team selections and was on the First or Second Team a record 14 times.
Captured six EuroLeague championships while playing overseas.
Became a two-time WNBA Finals MVP (2009, 2014) and was named league MVP in 2009.
Made 11 WNBA All-Star appearances and won four USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year awards.

Taurasi’s competitiveness and scoring versatility set her apart, as she dominated opponents with her deep three-point shooting, creative playmaking, and fearless drives to the basket.

Geno Auriemma: Taurasi’s Legacy Transcends the Game

Longtime UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who coached Taurasi to three NCAA titles and multiple Olympic gold medals, praised her immeasurable impact on women’s basketball.

“It’s hard to put into words what this means,” Auriemma said. “When someone’s defined the game, when someone’s had such an impact on so many people and so many places, you can’t define it with a quote.”

He added:

“For as long as people talk about college basketball, WNBA basketball, Olympic basketball, Diana is the greatest winner in the history of basketball, period.”

Taurasi’s Unparalleled Olympic Success

Taurasi’s six Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) stand as a record in women’s basketball, further cementing her as the greatest international competitor in the sport’s history.

Her partnership with Sue Bird on Team USA became legendary, as they led one of the most dominant Olympic dynasties ever, inspiring future generations of players on a global scale.

A Phoenix Mercury Icon

Taurasi played her entire WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, becoming synonymous with the franchise. Mercury owner Mat Ishbia paid tribute to her, saying:

“Diana is the greatest to have ever played the game. I’ve been a fan of her my entire life. She’s had an incredible impact on our franchise, our community, and the game of basketball.”

Taurasi retires holding 16 different Mercury franchise records, including most points, assists, and three-pointers made.

Becky Hammon: “She Was a Whole Problem”

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon, a former WNBA star herself, reflected on Taurasi’s ferocious playing style:

“In her prime years, she was a whole last problem,” Hammon said. “She just scored at all three levels. Just nasty out there. Just had that nasty, which I love.”

What’s Next for Taurasi?

While Taurasi has not revealed her next move, her deep knowledge of the game and larger-than-life personality make her a natural fit for:

Coaching—Potentially at the WNBA, NCAA, or international level.
Broadcasting—She has already shown a sharp, unfiltered analysis style during guest TV appearances.
Front-office leadership—Following in the footsteps of former players like Tamika Catchings and Swin Cash.

Regardless of her next steps, Taurasi’s legacy is cemented as one of the greatest players in basketball history—male or female.

She redefined what it means to be a champion, a competitor, and a leader, leaving an indelible mark on women’s basketball that will last for generations.

Her final message?

“I’m full. And I’m happy.”

And after two decades of greatness, the game of basketball is all the better because of her.