WNBA superstar and future Hall of Famer Diana Taurasi is retiring from basketball.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist decided that, after two 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, it is time for her to stop away from the hard court.
In an exclusive interview with TIME’s Sean Gregory, the 42-year-old opened up about her decision and reflected on her decorated career.
‘As a little kid, being a kid of immigrants coming to this country, basketball always made me feel a part of something,’ she shared. ‘It always made me feel comfortable. It brought me to a place where, you know, I could love others. I could love myself. It really is, to me, the one thing that always loved me back.’
‘Mentally and physically, I’m just full,’ Taurasi added. ‘That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.’
The league’s all-time leading scorer brought home three championships in her 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her first overall after she led the UConn to three collegiate titles.
WNBA legend Diana Taurasi decided to retire from basketball after 20 seasons in Phoenix
The six-time Olympic gold medalist announced her retirement in an exclusive with TIME
In the TIME interview, Taurasi said she ‘just didn’t have it in me,’ ending long-standing speculation over when she would call time on her career.
Apart from her rings, Taurasi bagged two Finals MVPs, a regular season MVP, 11 All-Star appearances, and 10 All-WNBA First Team nods.
She also led the WNBA in scoring five times and was named to the 15 and 20th anniversary teams. Overseas, Taurasi won six EuroLeague, three Russian National League, and one Turkish League title.
‘I have a resume, it’s not up to me to grade it,’ she said of her accolades.
Following the news of her retirement, fellow hoops stars congratulated Taurasi on a legendary career.
‘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,’ LeBron James raved.
‘She’s one of the all-time greatest, and she will leave her mark on the game of basketball the moment she ties those shoes up and throws them over the pole line. It’s been an honor. All love.’
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, ‘You can’t tell the story of the WNBA without Diana.’
Taurasi wont three NCAA titles with the UConn Huskies before getting drafted into the WNBA
She led the WNBA in scoring five times and was named to the 15 and 20th anniversary teams
‘She helped build the league into what it is today and inspired generations of fans and players, including many who have gone on to play in the WNBA. Diana had an outsized role in the growth of women’s basketball,’ he added.
WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark reposted ESPN’s graphic on her Instagram story and wrote ‘legend’.
Meanwhile, UConn star Paige Bueckers also shared the news on her story, writing ‘Thank you [GOAT Emoji].’
When reflecting on basketball’s impact on her life, Taurasi shared that ‘At the end of the day, the work and being able to compete, those are the things that I love the most out of anything. Those are the only things that resonate with me.
‘Even now when I watch sports, ‘Are you competitive? Are you willing to do the work? Are you willing to evolve?’ Those are all the things that the game of basketball gave me.’
As for her plans, nothing is set in stone for Taurasi besides fulfilling her motherly duties.
‘That’s the question that I still don’t have an answer for. I really enjoy taking my kids to school, being home when they’re home, not leaving for a week at a time. I’m the disgruntled assistant mom coach.’
