Jump to content

Diana Taurasi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diana Taurasi
No. 3 – Phoenix Mercury
PositionShooting guard / Point guard
LeagueWNBA
Personal information
Born (1982-06-11) June 11, 1982 (age 42)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight163 lb (74 kg)
Career information
High schoolDon Antonio Lugo
(Chino, California)
CollegeUConn (2000–2004)
WNBA draft2004: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Mercury
Playing career2004–Present
Career history
2004–presentPhoenix Mercury
2005–2006Dynamo Moscow
2006–2010Spartak Moscow
2010–2011Fenerbahçe
2011–2012Galatasaray Medical Park
2012–2017UMMC Ekaterinburg
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens Team
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team
Gold medal – first place 2012 London Team
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2010 Czech Republic
Gold medal – first place 2014 Turkey
Gold medal – first place 2018 Spain
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Brazil

Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Taurasi is widely recognized as one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time; she rose to fame while playing college basketball at the University of Connecticut.

She was drafted by Phoenix first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft. Taurasi has won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award (2004), three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, and 2014), six Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024),[1][2][3] one WNBA Most Valuable Player Award (2009), two WNBA Finals MVP Awards (2009 and 2014), five scoring titles (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011), and three FIBA World Cups (2010, 2014, and 2018). She has also been selected to ten WNBA All-Star teams and fourteen All-WNBA teams (including ten first-team selections). In 2011, she was voted by fans as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time, and was named by the league to its 20th and 25th anniversary teams, respectively the WNBA Top 20@20 in 2016 and The W25 in 2021.[4] Also in 2021, she was selected by fans as the league's greatest player of all time.[5] On June 18, 2017, Taurasi became the WNBA all-time leading scorer.[6]

Her penchant for scoring in crucial situations has earned her the nickname "White Mamba", coined by Kobe Bryant.[7] Taurasi is one of 11 women to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup, and a WNBA Championship.

Early life

[edit]

Taurasi grew up in Chino, California. Taurasi's father, Mario, was raised in Argentina. He was a professional soccer player in Italy[8] and played for several years as a goalkeeper. Taurasi's mother, Liliana, is Argentine. Mario and Liliana Taurasi emigrated from Argentina to the United States before Diana was born. She has an older sister named Jessika.[9]

In high school, Taurasi was the recipient of the 2000 Cheryl Miller Award, presented by the Los Angeles Times to the best player in Southern California.[10] She was also recognized as the 1999 and 2000 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year, the 2000 Naismith and "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year. With 3,047 points, Taurasi concluded her prep career ranked fourth in state history. The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) designated Taurasi a distinct American.[11] She participated in the 2000 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored twelve points, and earned MVP honors.[12][13]

College career

[edit]
Taurasi with President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony for the national champion 2002–03 Connecticut Huskies.

Following a highly decorated high school career, Taurasi enrolled at the University of Connecticut and began playing for the women's basketball team during the 2000–2001 season. Taking the court primarily at point guard and shooting guard, she led the team to three consecutive NCAA championships. After a poor shooting performance in UConn's 2001 Final Four loss to Notre Dame, Taurasi vowed "We will not lose another tournament game while I'm wearing this uniform." They proceeded to win three straight national titles, and 18 straight tourney wins. Leading up to the final championship, her coach, Geno Auriemma, would declare his likelihood of winning with the claim, "We have Diana, and you don't."[14]

Taurasi also received many personal accolades at UConn including the 2003 and 2004 Naismith College Player of the Year awards, the 2003 Wade Trophy, the 2003 and 2004 Honda Sports Award and the 2003 Associated Press Player of the Year award.[15][16][17] In addition to the national recognition she received while at UConn, Taurasi was held in legendary status by many Connecticut fans. For example, state senator Thomas Gaffey nominated her to join Prudence Crandall as the state's heroine.[18] She averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in her collegiate career. During her time at UConn, her team compiled a record of 139 wins and 8 losses. In 2006, Taurasi was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.[19]

WNBA career

[edit]

Following her collegiate career, Taurasi was selected first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury,[20] a team that went 8–26 in the 2003 season. At times in her career, she had to play forward because there were shorter players in the starting five on her team. However, she mainly plays guard. Also, right before the 2004 season, the Mercury acquired all-star Penny Taylor in a dispersal draft, to strengthen their roster.

In her WNBA debut, Taurasi scored 22 points in a 72–66 Mercury loss to the Sacramento Monarchs.[21] For the season, the rookie averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Although the Mercury did not qualify for the playoffs, Taurasi was named to the Western Conference All Star team and won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2005, Taurasi averaged 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while battling an ankle injury. She was an All Star for the second straight year, but the Mercury faded down the stretch and again missed the playoffs.

Former NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. Their roster was further bolstered by the addition of rookie Cappie Pondexter, the #2 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA draft, forming a Big 3 of Taurasi, Pondexter and Taylor.

Taurasi at the White House

2006 would be an historic season for Taurasi as she flourished under Westhead's system, leading the league in scoring and earning a third straight trip to the All Star Game. She broke Katie Smith's league records for points in a season (741 during the 2006 season). In 2006, Taurasi averaged a WNBA record 25.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, including a career-high 47 points in a triple overtime regular season victory against the Houston Comets (a then league record). During that game she made a WNBA record 8 three-pointers (which has since been tied by Riquna Williams). Taurasi also set a WNBA record with 121 three-pointers made in a single season. The Mercury finished 18–16, but after losing a tie-breaker with Houston and Seattle, missed the playoffs.

In 2007, Taurasi finally reached the WNBA playoffs. In the first round, the Mercury eliminated the Seattle Storm two games to none. Next, they swept the San Antonio Silver Stars in a hard-fought two-game series and Taurasi advanced to her first WNBA Finals, against the defending champion Detroit Shock. Taurasi, Pondexter and Taylor led the Mercury to their first WNBA title. With this victory Taurasi became the seventh player ever to win an NCAA title, a WNBA title, and an Olympic gold medal. Others who had achieved this were Ruth Riley, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, and fellow Huskies Swin Cash, Kara Wolters, and Sue Bird, with further players added to the list in following years.

Taurasi was a member of the USA women's 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 gold medal Olympic Basketball Teams.[22][23]

In the 2009 season, Taurasi was named the WNBA MVP and later led the Phoenix Mercury to its second WNBA championship in three years by beating the Indiana Fever, three games to two, as Taurasi was named the WNBA Finals MVP. Taurasi is one of only two players (the other being Cynthia Cooper-Dyke), to win the season scoring title, the season MVP award, a WNBA Championship and the finals MVP in the same season.[24]

Young woman wearing a purple shiny warmup suit
Taurasi in 2013

In 2011, alongside being selected to her 7th All-WNBA First Team,[25] she was voted one of the Top 15 players in the fifteen-year history of the WNBA by fans.[26]

In 2012, Taurasi had an injury-riddled season, playing only eight games. She had to sit out the rest of the season with a strained left hip flexor.[27] The Mercury proceeded to finish the season 7–27 as the second worst team in the league.

In 2013, Taurasi returned healthy for the season, she played 32 games and averaged 20+ ppg for the sixth time in her career. The Mercury finished 3rd in the western conference with a 19–15. They defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 2–1 in the first round, advancing to the conference finals, but would lose to the Minnesota Lynx in a 2-game sweep.

Entering the 2014 season, Taurasi reached the number two spot in career points per game, fifth place in career points, and ninth in career assists. In the 2014 season, with a supporting cast of all-star power forward Candice Dupree (who was traded to the Mercury in 2010), rising star Brittney Griner (who was drafted 1st overall in the 2013 WNBA draft) and the arrival of new head coach Sandy Brondello, the Phoenix Mercury finished 29–5, setting the record for most wins in a regular season, earning the top seed in the western conference. In the playoffs they advanced all the way to the WNBA Finals where they would sweep the Chicago Sky earning Taurasi her 3rd championship. Taurasi also won the WNBA Finals MVP for the second time in her career.

On February 3, 2015, Taurasi announced that she would sit out the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. The team offered to pay Taurasi more than her WNBA salary to skip the 2015 WNBA season. For the 2014 WNBA season, Taurasi made just under the league maximum of $107,000. But she makes 14 times that – approximately $1.5 million – playing overseas.[28][29][30][31]

Young woman wearing orange football uniform shooting a field goal
Taurasi became the WNBA's all-time highest scorer in 2017.[32]

Taurasi returned to the Mercury for the 2016 WNBA season.[33] Taurasi averaged 17.8 ppg helping the Mercury to another playoff berth with a 16–18 record. With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Mercury were the number 8 seed in the league, facing the Indiana Fever in the first round. The Mercury advanced to the second round beating the Fever in the first round elimination game as Taurasi scored 20 points. During that game, Taurasi made her 113th playoff career three-pointer, becoming the all-time WNBA leader in playoff career three-pointers made (passing Becky Hammon).[34] In the second round elimination game, the Mercury beat the New York Liberty advancing to the semifinals (the last round before the WNBA finals) with Taurasi scoring a game-high 30 points in the win. In the semi-finals, the Mercury would face the championship defending Minnesota Lynx in the best-of-5 series and would be swept 3 games to 0.

In May 2017, Taurasi signed a multi-year contract extension with the Mercury.[35] Later that month, Taurasi became the first player in league history reach 7,000 points, 1,500 rebounds and 1,500 assists following an 85–62 victory over the Indiana Fever.[36] On June 18, 2017, Taurasi became the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, passing Tina Thompson's old record.[37] Taurasi would be selected into the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her eighth career all-star game appearance. The Mercury would finish with an 18–16 record as the fifth seed in the league. In the first round elimination game, Taurasi 14 points in a 79–69 win over the Seattle Storm. In the second round elimination game, the Mercury defeated the Connecticut Sun 88–83, Taurasi scored 23 points in the win. The Mercury advanced past the second round for the second season in a row, but were eliminated by the Los Angeles Sparks in a 3-game sweep.

In the 2018 season-opener on May 18, 2018, against the Dallas Wings, Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to make 1,000 3-pointers. On June 5, 2018, Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 8,000 points in an 80–74 victory against the Liberty.[38] On July 8, 2018, Taurasi became the league's all-time leader in field goals made in an 84–77 victory against the Connecticut Sun, surpassing Tina Thompson.[39] Taurasi would also earn her ninth career all-star appearance after being voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game. On August 1, 2018, Taurasi scored a season-high 37 points in a 104–93 victory against the Las Vegas Aces.[40] The Mercury finished off the season 20–14 with the number 5 seed in the league. In the first round elimination game, the Mercury defeated the Dallas Wings 101–83. Taurasi scored 26 points in the win. In the second round elimination game, the Mercury defeated the Connecticut Sun 96–86, advancing to the semi-finals for the third year in a row, they would face off against the Seattle Storm. Down 2–0, the Mercury came back to tie up the series 2–2. In game 5, the Mercury lost 94–84, ending their season.

In April 2019, the Mercury announced that Taurasi's wife, Penny Taylor,[41] had been hired as an assistant coach.[42]

Diana Taurasi in 2019

Taurasi started the 2019 WNBA season on the injured list after undergoing back surgery.[43] Taurasi would continue to be hobbled throughout the season, this time with a hamstring injury which limited her to only 6 games played for the season with very minimal playing time. Without a healthy Taurasi, the Mercury barely made the playoffs as the number 8 seed with a 15–19 record. The Mercury were eliminated in the first round elimination game 105-76 by the Chicago Sky.

In September 2019, Taurasi—who remained under contract with the Mercury—confirmed that she intended to play for the team in 2020.[44][42]

In 2020, the season was delayed and shortened to 22 games in a bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taurasi would come back healthy for the season and played 19 of the 22 games, on August 23, 2020, Taurasi scored a season-high 34 points in an 88–87 victory over the Washington Mystics while honoring the late Kobe Bryant on his birthday by wearing number 8 along with his last name on her jersey.[45][46] The Mercury had finished 13–9 as the number 5 seed, they defeated the Washington Mystics 85–84 in the first round elimination game, however they would get eliminated by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round elimination game by a final score of 80–79.

In February 2021, Taurasi re-signed with the Mercury on a 2-year deal.[47]

Taurasi injured her ankle and broke a bone in her foot late in the Mercury's 2021 season and opted to sit out due to the injury in the first single elimination game against the New York Liberty. She returned for the second round single elimination game against the reigning champions Seattle Storm which the Mercury won in overtime. In the best of five semi final series against the Las Vegas Aces. Taurasi led her team to a tie series after a Game 1 loss (by 4 points) making history. At 39 years old, Taurasi made history as the oldest player in league history to score an over 30 point game. She put up 37 points on 10 of 13 shooting — including eight of 11 attempted three-pointers. Her eight three-pointers were the second-most made in a playoff game in the WNBA's postseason history. Phoenix Mercury coach, Sandy Brondello, noted that Taurasi still had pain in her ankle but managed to play through it and play through it she did, playing her heart out in a Game 3 win and Game 4 loss. On Oct.8, 2021, shortly before the birth of her daughter Taurasi led her team to a 87-84 Game 5 win making her 16-2 overall in win or take all games with 24 points, a crucial late game block and 14 clutch 4th quarter points.

In August 2023, Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 career points.[48]

Overseas career

[edit]

Taurasi's international career began in 2005 when she played for Dynamo Moscow, a team that had been dominant in the Russian league until the late 90s, and even the 2005 runner-up, but was slowly declining at that time. The Euroleague tournament ended in the quarter-finals, where Dynamo was eliminated by former champions CSKA Samara. In 2006 Taurasi was recruited to play for the Russian team Spartak Moscow. The team had finished in eleventh place in the Russian league when Shabtai von Kalmanovich decided to buy the team. Kalmanovich was a successful business man with various interests, including women's basketball. He had stopped in to see a local women's basketball team in Yekaterinburg, and "literally fell in love with the point guard, Anna Arkhipova". He ended up buying that team, but later decided to buy the Spartak Moscow Region team, and turn it into a top team. He arranged to add a number of top-notch players, who had earned seven Olympic medals between them. Many of the players were European, but the team also included Australian Lauren Jackson and Americans Sue Bird and Taurasi.[49]

The team would go on to win four consecutive Euroleague championships from 2007 to 2010, and Taurasi was named Final Four MVP in 2009 and 2010.[50]

In 2010 Taurasi played for Turkish champion Fenerbahçe, helping the team to repeat winning the national league. On December 24, 2010, Taurasi's lawyers revealed that she had tested positive for a mild stimulant; according to her lawyer, Howard Jacobs, the positive test came from an "A" sample, and that testing had been requested on a second "B" sample. Jacobs also was quick to point out that the substance Taurasi tested positive for "was not a steroid or recreational drug." Until the "B" sample could be tested, Taurasi was provisionally suspended from the Turkish league.[51] In a statement, the Turkish basketball association revealed that the WADA-list banned substance was modafinil.[52] On February 16, 2011, Taurasi was finally cleared of doping allegations. ABC News indicated Taurasi was absolved from all doping allegations and could rejoin her Istanbul team following the retraction of the Turkish laboratory on its earlier finding on the former UConn star's urine samples.[53]

In the 2011–2012 season Taurasi played for Galatasaray, the other major team from Istanbul and Fenerbahçe's long time rival; Taurasi joined WNBA stars Epiphanny Prince, Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles and Ticha Penicheiro. The team ended up winning the Turkish Cup but lost to Fenerbahçe in the League Final and was eliminated in the Final Eight quarter-final round of the 2011–12 EuroLeague, again losing a decisive match to Fenerbahçe.

On May 16, 2012, Taurasi signed a contract with UMMC Ekaterinburg,[54] joining fellow WNBA star Candace Parker. The team dominated national and international competitions, winning the 2012–13 EuroLeague (second time for the club), Russian Championship and Russian Cup.

Season 2013–2014 saw the UMMC team repeating in winning Russian Championship and Cup, but falling short in Eurolegue competition, losing in the semifinal game against eventual champion Galatasaray; these occurrences repeated in 2014–2015 season with UMMC losing in the Euroleague final against Czech's USK Praha, in a game where Taurasi had to sit out with a broken hand.[55]

The injury and the consequent loss in the Euroleague final had a big role in the decision of UMMC club to offer Taurasi a deal to skip her 2015 WNBA season to rest. Taurasi chose to accept the deal, giving up the WNBA title defense and returning to Phoenix Mercury only in 2016;[56] her decision spread a big debate in the United States about salary policies in women's basketball compared to Europe and China, where women's teams receive governmental support.[57]

In 2015–2016, Taurasi was back to UMMC, leading the team to its third (and her sixth personal) Euroleague title, while also earning MVP honors.[58]

In 2016–2017, Taurasi would once again return to UMMC, helping the team to its eleventh league championship. Though expected to play through the end of the 2017–2018 season with the team, Taurasi announced her retirement from European competition in December 2017.[59][60]

National team career

[edit]

Taurasi was a member of the United States women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. The event was held in July 2000, when Team USA defeated Cuba to win the championship. In the closest match of the tournament, the semifinal game against Brazil, Taurasi connected on seven of her eleven three-point attempts and ended the game with 26 points. She averaged 12.6 points per game and led the team with assists with 5.46 per game.[61] Taurasi has also earned a bronze medal as a member of the 2001 U.S. junior World Championship team,[62] and a gold medal as a member of the 2000 U.S. Women's junior World Championship qualifying team.[63]

On May 12, 2004, Taurasi was selected to compete at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece with the United States national team.[64] She helped Team USA capture the gold medal, defeating Australia in the championship game. Taurasi represented the United States as a member of the 2008 Olympic team at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China, where she started all eight games and helped lead the US to the gold medal.[65]

Taurasi was the second leading scorer on the U.S. national basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship held in São Paulo, Brazil. The Americans earned the bronze medal.[66]

Taurasi was invited to the USA Basketball women's national team training camp in the fall of 2009.[67] The team selected to participate at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics was primarily chosen from these players. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team traveled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.[67]

Taurasi was named as one of the national team members to represent the U.S. national team in the WNBA versus USA Basketball.[68] This game replaces the WNBA All-Star game with WNBA All-Stars versus USA Basketball, as part of the preparation for the FIBA World Championship for Women to be held in the Czech Republic during September and October 2010. Taurasi was selected to be a member of the national team for the World Championships. The team was coached by Geno Auriemma. Because many team members were still playing in the WNBA until just prior to the event, the team had only one day of practice with the entire team before leaving for Ostrava and Karlovy Vary. Even with limited practice, the team managed to win its first game against Greece by 26 points. The team continued to dominate with victory margins exceeding 20 points in the first five games. Several players shared scoring honors, with Swin Cash, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Taurasi, Lindsay Whalen, and Sylvia Fowles all ending as high scorer in the first few games. The sixth game was against undefeated Australia — Team USA jumped out to a 24-point lead and ultimately prevailed 83–75. The Americans won their next two games by over 30 points, before facing the host team, the Czech Republic, in the championship game. Team USA had a five-point lead at halftime, which the Czech team then cut to three points, but never got closer. The U.S. team went on to win the championship and gold medal. Taurasi led the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game and was second on the team with 23 assists.[69]

Taurasi was one of 21 finalists for the 2012 US women's Olympic team roster. The twenty WNBA players, plus collegiate player (Brittney Griner), were selected by the USA Basketball women's national team plater selection committee to compete for the final roster which represented the US at the 2012 Olympics in London.[70] Taurasi would win her third gold medal as the United States defeated France for the gold medal.

Taurasi played for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, earning her fourth gold medal while helping the United States overcome Spain 101–72 in the final. Taurasi was a key member of the gold medal-winning 2020 US women's Olympic team in Tokyo, earning Taurasi a record fifth gold medal. Taurasi joined US Olympic teammate Sue Bird as the only two Olympic basketball players of any gender to win five Olympic gold medals.[71] At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Taurasi again won Olympic gold with the USA Women's national team to become the only basketball player with six Olympic gold medals, and she joined dressage equestrian Isabell Werth of Germany and Hungarian sabre fencer Aladar Gerevich as the only Olympians to win six gold medals in the same event.[1][72]

Off the court

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Taurasi is married to former teammate Penny Taylor. After eight years of dating, Taurasi wed Taylor, who at the time was the Phoenix Mercury Director of Player Development and Performance, on May 13, 2017. She later told People magazine in an interview, "It was the most amazing and beautiful day of our lives. To be able to share our love with family and close friends meant the world to us."

On March 1, 2018, Taylor gave birth to the couple's son.[73]

Taylor expected to give birth to the couple's second child on October 6, 2021, but the pregnancy lasted beyond the due date. After a Game 4 loss in the semifinals, Taurasi played in a winner-take-all Game 5 that would decide whether the Phoenix Mercury would play in the 2021 WNBA finals. After a Game 5 win on October 8, 2021, Taurasi had a message for Taylor in her post-game interview, closing with "Hold it in babe, I'm coming". Taurasi then flew from Las Vegas, where the game took place, back to Phoenix, arriving in time to witness Taylor give birth to their daughter on October 9, 2021, at 4:24 am.[74]

Endorsements

[edit]

Taurasi signed an endorsement deal with Nike in 2014.[75] She is set to release her signature sneaker, the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen AMPD PE, on October 1, 2024 in collaboration with LeBron James.[76]

Taurasi also has a deal with BodyArmor sports drink company earning her $1.35 million, as well as deals with Coca-Cola and State Farm, Waymo, DeloitteUS, Twelvebooks, Togetherx, Cox Communications, and JBL.[75][77][78]

Education

[edit]

Taurasi attended Don Antonio Lugo High School, where she graduated in 2000.[79][80] Next, she enrolled at the University of Connecticut where she attended from 2000-2004 and then took a break from school to enter the Women's National Basketball League draft, play in the Olympics, and then return to finish her first season in the WNBA. In 2005, Taurasi went back to college and earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut. As a first-generation college student, the first in her family to graduate from college, Taurasi said that earning her college degree "meant just as much as any championship ring, banner or gold medal".[81]

[edit]

On July 2, 2009, Taurasi was arrested for DUI. She pleaded guilty on October 29, 2009 and spent a day in jail after a judge suspended nine days of her sentence.[82]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader
† Denotes seasons in which Taurasi won a WNBA championship
* Denotes seasons in which Taurasi won an NCAA Championship

College

[edit]
NCAA statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2000–01 Connecticut 33 14 23.9 .444 .386 .878 3.2 3.3 1.2 0.9 2.2 10.9
2001–02* Connecticut 39 39 29.0 .494 .440 .828 4.1 5.3 1.3 1.2 2.1 14.5
2002–03* Connecticut 37 37 31.9 .476 .350 .815 6.1 4.4 0.9 1.2 3.1 17.9
2003–04* Connecticut 35 35 31.9 .456 .390 .795 4.0 4.9 1.5 0.8 2.4 16.2
Career 144 125 29.3 .469 .392 .819 4.4 4.5 1.2 1.0 2.5 15.0

WNBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

Stats current through end of 2024 season

WNBA regular season statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2004 Phoenix 34 34 33.2 .416 .330 .710 4.4 3.9 1.3 0.7 2.7 17.0
2005 Phoenix 33 33 33.0 .410 .313 .801 4.2 4.5 1.2 0.8 3.4 16.0
2006 Phoenix 34 34 33.9 .452 .397 .781 3.6 4.1 1.2 0.8 2.3 25.3°
2007† Phoenix 32 32 32.0 .440 .367 .835 4.2 4.3 1.4 1.1 2.6 19.2
2008 Phoenix 34 34 31.9 .446 .360 .870 5.1 3.6 1.4 1.4 2.4 24.1°
2009† Phoenix 31 31 31.5 .461 .407 .894 5.7 3.5 1.2 1.4 2.7 20.4°
2010 Phoenix 31 31 32.2 .427 .374 .912 4.3 4.7 1.2 0.6 3.6 22.6°
2011 Phoenix 32 32 30.2 .449 .395 .903 3.2 3.6 0.8 0.6 3.0 21.6°
2012 Phoenix 8 8 20.8 .436 .395 .900 1.6 2.3 0.5 0.5 1.8 14.0
2013 Phoenix 32 32 32.3 .456 .347 .854 4.2 6.2 0.7 0.5 3.6 20.3
2014† Phoenix 33 33 32.3 .454 .365 .874 3.8 5.6° 0.7 0.3 2.6 16.2
2016 Phoenix 33 33 29.8 .396 .350 .909 3.0 3.9 0.9 0.1 2.6 17.8
2017 Phoenix 31 31 28.5 .400 .384 .912 3.0 2.7 0.5 0.3 2.0 17.9
2018 Phoenix 33 33 30.0 .446 .383 .925° 3.5 5.3 0.9 0.2 2.5 20.7
2019 Phoenix 6 6 21.4 .103 .042 .944 3.2 5.3 0.3 0.1 2.1 4.3
2020 Phoenix 19 19 28.1 .409 .365 .912 4.2 4.5 1.0 0.4 2.7 18.7
2021 Phoenix 16 16 28.4 .366 .339 .861 4.4 4.9 0.2 0.6 2.9 15.2
2022 Phoenix 31 31 31.0 .373 .337 .894 3.4 3.8 0.7 0.6 2.7 16.7
2023 Phoenix 26 26 27.3 .403 .342 .848 3.6 4.6 0.5 0.5 3.0 16.0
2024 Phoenix 36 36 29.0 .400 .333 .857 3.8 3.4 0.6 0.3 1.9 14.9
Career 20 years, 1 team 565 565 30.7 .425 .360 .870 3.9 4.2 0.9 0.6 2.7 18.8
All-Star 10 8 18.9 .400 .318 1.000 3.1 4.3 0.2 0.3 1.5 9.0

Playoffs

[edit]
WNBA playoff statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2007† Phoenix 9 9 33.2 .504 .390 .731 4.3 3.0 1.4 0.8 2.0 19.9
2009† Phoenix 11 11 32.9 .451 .365 .893 5.9 3.8 0.7 1.3 3.0 22.3°
2010 Phoenix 4 4 31.3 .473 .542 .818 5.3 3.8 1.8 0.8 4.0 18.5
2011 Phoenix 5 5 31.2 .398 .286 .929 3.2 2.4 0.2 0.2 2.4 20.0
2013 Phoenix 5 5 37.2 .333 .176 .950 5.2 6.0 1.6 0.2 3.0 20.8
2014† Phoenix 8 8 32.4 .492 .386 .853 4.3 5.8 1.0 0.5 3.9 21.9
2016 Phoenix 5 5 30.7 .515 .432 .970 2.6 2.8 0.2 0.6 2.0 23.6
2017 Phoenix 5 5 31.8 .409 .353 .769 2.8 3.8 0.6 0.0 2.0 17.2
2018 Phoenix 7 7 35.3 .477 .419 .864 4.4 6.0 0.8 0.5 2.2 21.0
2020 Phoenix 2 2 35.0 .471 .476 1.000 4.0 7.5 0.5 0.0 2.0 25.5
2021 Phoenix 10 10 30.5 .391 .347 .884 3.5 2.9 0.5 0.6 3.0 17.6
2024 Phoenix 2 2 29.5 .423 .389 1.000 3.0 2.5 1.0 0.0 3.5 15.5
Career 12 years, 1 team 73 73 32.6 .446 .374 .882 4.2 4.1 0.9 0.6 2.8 20.4

Euroleague

[edit]
Euroleague statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2005–06 Dynamo Moscow 9 9 28.4 .400 .419 .625 4.1 2.2 0.9 0.3 1.9 11.4
2006–07 Spartak Moscow 12 12 29.3 .417 .438 .652 5.3 2.1 0.7 0.5 1.9 13.1
2007–08 Spartak Moscow 14 14 30.6 .485 .481 .872 4.9 4.4 1.3 0.6 2.4 16.8
2008–09 Spartak Moscow 17 17 31.9 .485 .457 .831 5.6 3.8 1.4 0.3 4.0 20.5
2009–10 Spartak Moscow 16 16 30.3 .496 .446 .853 5.7 3.8 1.6 0.3 2.7 24.9
2010–11 Fenerbahçe 7 7 33.7 .492 .515 .886 5.4 4.7 1.1 0.0 2.4 24.6
2011–12 Galatasaray 18 18 30.4 .451 .440 .900 4.4 3.1 0.9 0.2 2.9 20.9
2012–13 UMMC Ekaterinburg 17 17 29.2 .439 .394 .895 4.4 4.7 0.6 0.5 2.4 15.5
2013–14 UMMC Ekaterinburg 14 14 29.5 .500 .481 .789 3.3 5.0 0.8 0.1 2.4 15.0
2014–15 UMMC Ekaterinburg 14 14 31.0 .479 .511 .844 4.2 5.9 1.1 0.1 2.3 16.9
2015–16 UMMC Ekaterinburg 19 19 32.1 .461 .432 .905 5.0 4.2 0.9 0.2 2.6 20.9
2016–17[83] UMMC Ekaterinburg 15 15 23.6 .488 .455 .865 1.9 2.8 0.8 0.1 1.1 17.9
Career 172 172 30.0 .466 .455 .826 4.5 3.9 1.0 0.2 2.4 18.2

Filmography

[edit]
Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Herself, Voice of White Mamba [84]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Diana Taurasi wins basketball record 6th Olympic gold medal". ESPN. The Associated Press. August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "The Olympic history of UConn's Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi". CT Post. August 8, 2021. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Gregory, Sean (August 11, 2024). "U.S. Women's Basketball Team Wins Gold in Startlingly Close Paris Olympics Final". Time. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25"" (Press release). WNBA. September 5, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Diana Taurasi Voted By Fans As WNBA's Greatest Player of All Time" (Press release). WNBA. October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "Taurasi becomes WNBA all-time leading scorer". ESPN.com. June 18, 2017.
  7. ^ "Calling it a 'bittersweet moment,' Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi scores season-high 34 while wearing Kobe Bryant's No. 8". ESPN. August 24, 2020.
  8. ^ David L. Porter, ed. (2005). Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-30952-6.
  9. ^ "Diana Taurasi". Team USA. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Diana Taurasi". WNBA. Archived from the original on November 21, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  11. ^ "Past WBCA HS Coaches' All-America Teams". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  12. ^ "WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  13. ^ "WBCA High School All-America Game Team MVP's". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "UConn's Taurasi proves why she's best in nation". Archived from the original on April 8, 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  15. ^ "The Wade Trophy". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  16. ^ Cacciola, Scott (April 21, 2004). "4/21/04 Taurasi wins sports award". New Haven Register. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Basketball". CWSA. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  18. ^ "Senator nominates UConn's Taurasi for state heroine". CNN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  19. ^ "Women's Basketball 1995 National Championship Team to be Recognized as "Huskies of Honor"". uconnhuskies.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  20. ^ "2004 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "ESPN.com: WNBA - Taurasi impressive in debut, but not successful". ESPN.
  22. ^ "Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad – 2004". Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  23. ^ "Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad – 2008". Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  24. ^ "Taurasi, Pondexter lead Mercury to second title in three years". ESPN. October 9, 2009. Archived from the original on October 13, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  25. ^ "Playoffs 2011". WNBA.com. October 7, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  26. ^ "AllStar 2011". WNBA.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  27. ^ "North Jersey News and Information | NorthJersey.com".
  28. ^ "WNBA loses star Diana Taurasi for season because of big Russia payday". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  29. ^ "Russian team offering Diana Taurasi more than her WNBA salary ... to rest". For The Win. February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  30. ^ Prada, Mike (February 3, 2015). "Russian team pays Taurasi to sit out WNBA season". SBNation.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  31. ^ "Taurasi opts for rest, to skip WNBA season". ESPN.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  32. ^ "Diana Taurasi Breaks W.N.B.A. Scoring Record". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 18, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  33. ^ "Mercury's Diana Taurasi to rest, sit out 2015 WNBA season – FOX Sports". February 3, 2015.
  34. ^ "Diana Taurasi Sets WNBA Record For Most Postseason Three-Pointers – WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA".
  35. ^ "Mercury, Taurasi Agree to Multi-Year Extension – WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA".
  36. ^ "Diana Taurasi Makes History – WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA".
  37. ^ "Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi becomes WNBA's all-time scoring leader". Espn.com. June 18, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  38. ^ "Mercury's Diana Taurasi reaches 8,000-point milestone". ESPN. June 5, 2018.
  39. ^ "Diana Taurasi Becomes WNBA's All-Time Field Goal Leader". theuconnblog.com. July 8, 2018.
  40. ^ "Taurasi's 37 points push Mercury past Aces". gwinnettprepsports.com.
  41. ^ Jeff Metcalfe (May 14, 2017). "Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi marries former Mercury player Penny Taylor". Arizona Republic.
  42. ^ a b "Penny Taylor returning to Phoenix Mercury as assistant coach". azcentral.
  43. ^ Kim Doss (April 25, 2019). "Diana Taurasi out for 10-12 weeks after undergoing back procedure".
  44. ^ "Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner plan to return for Phoenix Mercury in 2020". azcentral.
  45. ^ "Diana Taurasi Scores 34 PTS While Wearing No. 8 Jersey, Honoring Kobe Bryant (August 23, 2020)". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA.
  46. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff. "Diana Taurasi, honoring Kobe Bryant, scores 34 in Mercury win over Washington". The Arizona Republic.
  47. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff. "Diana Taurasi re-signs multi-year contract with Phoenix Mercury". The Arizona Republic.
  48. ^ "Taurasi Becomes First WNBA Player To Score 10k Career Pts". Sports-statistics.com.
  49. ^ Wolff, Alexander (December 15, 2008). "To Russia With Love". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  50. ^ Coward, Cheryl (April 12, 2010). "Spartak Moscow EuroLeague champions again, Taurasi MVP again". Hoopfeed.com. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  51. ^ "Positive Test for Taurasi, Ex-UConn Star". The New York Times. December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  52. ^ "Taurasi tested positive for modafinil". The Washington Post. December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  53. ^ "WADA Could Suspend Turkish Lab in Taurasi Case". Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  54. ^ "UMMC Ekaterinburg sign Diana Taurasi". lovewomensbasketball.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012.
  55. ^ "UMMC Left Reeling From Taurasi Absence". Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  56. ^ "A Russian team paid Diana Taurasi to sit out 2015 WNBA season". February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  57. ^ "Diana Taurasi's decision to sit out should spark WNBA salary changes". ESPN. February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  58. ^ "UMMC Ekaterinburg claim 2016 EuroLeague Women title". FIBA.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  59. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff (December 17, 2017). "Diana Taurasi retires early from Russian team, continuing with Mercury". AZ Central. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  60. ^ "Thank You Very Much, Diana!". Basketball Club UMMC. December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  61. ^ "Fourth Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Team – 2000". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  62. ^ "Fifth FIBA Women's U19/Junior World Championship – 2001". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  63. ^ "Fourth Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Team – 2000". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  64. ^ "Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad – 2004". USA basketball. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  65. ^ "Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad – 2008". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  66. ^ "FIFTEENTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN – 2006". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  67. ^ a b "USA Basketball Women's National Team To Tip-Off Training Tomorrow In D.C." USA Basketball. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  68. ^ "Six Olympic Gold Medalists Among 11-Member Team Set To Participate In WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun Game". USA Basketball. June 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  69. ^ "FIBA World Championship for Women". FIBA. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  70. ^ "Twenty-One Finalists In The Mix For Final 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster". USA Basketball. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  71. ^ "The Olympic history of UConn's Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi". CTPost. August 8, 2021. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  72. ^ Chandler, Made (August 8, 2024). "Beyond the Box Score: Why Diana Taurasi Is Vital to USA Women's Basketball". Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  73. ^ Voepel, Mechelle (March 15, 2018). "Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor announce birth of baby boy". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  74. ^ Garner, Glenn (October 9, 2021). "WNBA's Diana Taurasi and Wife Penny Taylor Welcome Baby Girl Hours After Semifinal Win". people.com. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  75. ^ a b Gupta, Dimple (October 23, 2023). "EssentiallySports". EssentiallySports. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  76. ^ Gendoes, Brett (September 28, 2024). "LeBron James Makes Big Announcement With WNBA Legend". Athlon Sports. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  77. ^ Gupta, Dimple (September 13, 2024). "Diana Taurasi Net Worth and WNBA Career Earnings: How Much Has the Mercury Legend Earned During 20-Year-Old Career?". EssentiallySports. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  78. ^ "Diana Taurasi's Net Worth 2024: Net worth, salary, endorsements and more!". Business Upturn. August 15, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  79. ^ "Don Lugo High grad Diana Taurasi, the WNBA's All-Time leading scorer, signs contract extension with the Phoenix Mercury". February 2021.
  80. ^ Landon Brown, "Taurasi Meets High Schooler Who Shattered Her Record," Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, May 23, 2016.
  81. ^ "WNBA notebook: It was back to school for Taurasi". May 28, 2005.
  82. ^ https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=4606661
  83. ^ "Diana TAURASI #32 GUARD". fiba.basketball.
  84. ^ Conway, Tyler. "Report: Space Jam 2 Will Star Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, More". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diana Taurasi.

Further reading

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diana_Taurasi&oldid=1256274013"