Diana Taurasi is a legendary American professional basketball player who recently announced her retirement from the WNBA.
She played her entire 20-year WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, winning three WNBA championships and earning numerous accolades.
During her illustrious career, Taurasi also won six Olympic gold medals, solidifying her status as a global basketball icon.
She holds the distinction of being the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points.
Before her professional career, Taurasi led the University of Connecticut to three NCAA championships during her college years.
Parents
Diana’s parents are Mario and Liliana Taurasi. Her father, Mario, was born in Italy but raised in Argentina, where he met Liliana, who is Argentine.
Mario was a professional soccer player in Italy before moving to the United States with his family before Diana was born.
Diana’s mother, Liliana, is from Argentina, but there is limited public information about her. Diana has an older sister named Jessika.
The family moved to Chino, California, where Diana grew up.
Career
Taurasi played her entire 20-year WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, a rare feat of loyalty and consistency.
During this time, she won three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014), showcasing her ability to perform under pressure and lead her team to victory.
In 2009, she was named the WNBA MVP, recognizing her exceptional performance that season.
Taurasi holds the distinction of being the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and three-point shooter, demonstrating her incredible scoring ability and versatility.
Internationally, Taurasi has been a cornerstone of the U.S. women’s basketball team.
She won six Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024), a testament to her consistent excellence at the highest level.
Additionally, she won three FIBA World Cup gold medals (2010, 2014, 2018), further solidifying her status as a global basketball icon.
Her international success highlights her ability to adapt and thrive in different environments and competitions.
Before her professional career, Taurasi had a remarkable collegiate career at the University of Connecticut.
She led the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA championships (2002, 2003, 2004), establishing herself as a dominant force in college basketball.
Her achievements earned her the Naismith College Player of the Year award twice, highlighting her impact on the college game.
During the WNBA offseason, Taurasi played overseas, primarily in Russia and Turkey. Her overseas career was marked by six Euroleague titles, demonstrating her ability to excel in different environments and competitions.
