Why WNBA legend decided to retire

PHOENIX —  Diana Taurasi has spent the past two weeks processing her retirement following a legendary 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury. Her two young children, Leo and Isla, are also wondering what that means.

“We got on a plane to New York (last week) and Leo says, ‘Is retirement sad?'” Taurasi recalled during her retirement press conference on Thursday. “That was the longest four-hour plane ride to New York ever, just thinking.”

Taurasi announced her retirement from basketball on Feb. 25, stepping away as a three-time WNBA champion and the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. Although the 11-time WNBA All-Star said she’s content with her decision to retire, Taurasi also said she’s actively grieving the end of her illustrious career.

“It is sad,” Taurasi admitted. “I don’t show it. I don’t like to outwardly show my sadness, but I am sad. It’s the game that I’ve played since I was seven. It’s all the things in life that I always loved to do.”

DIANA TAURASI retires after 20 seasons with Phoenix Mercury

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Taurasi, 42, opted out of a drawn-out farewell tour during her final season. Her retirement press conference was fittingly held on the Diana Taurasi Courts at the Mercury’s practice facility.

Friends and family, including Taurasi’s wife, Penny Taylor, and their two children, gathered for her final farewell in matching orange shirts adorned with Taurasi’s iconic logo. The gravity of her retirement started to sink in.

“I made the announcement last week, but I don’t think it’s felt real until just now,” Taurasi said. “All the great memories that I’ve had here for 20 years have been overwhelming.”

Diana Taurasi: ‘I knew I didn’t have it in me’

Taurasi played her final game for the Mercury on Sept. 25 — Phoenix lost to the Minnesota Lynx 101-88 in the first round of the playoffs. She didn’t comment on whether she would return at the time and left many fans wondering “if this is it,” the exact verbiage the Mercury used to advertise the team’s final regular-season home games.

Taurasi said she didn’t know what the future held, but her decision became clear as the new year approached.

“After the (2024) season ended, I really wanted to take some time away and really think about what I wanted to do,” Taurasi said. “I know the work that goes into preparing for a season. Once January 1st kind of came and went … I knew in my heart that I didn’t have it in me to put that four-month preparation that I usually do going into a season. I just didn’t have that anymore and I was fine with that.”

Taurasi was drafted by the Mercury with the first overall pick of the 2004 WNBA draft after leading the UConn Huskies to three NCAA championships (2002–2004). She spent her entire career in Phoenix, which Taurasi called her biggest accomplishment, even more than her six Olympic gold medals.

“Out of all the things in my career — the check-list goes on and on — being in this city for 20 years to me is the one thing that is the most important thing in the world,” she said. “Championships, points, all those things will be broken — hopefully not soon. The character and the loyalty you show every single day, that’s what people care about and remember. If I did that in a way that can transcend the way people look at, not only women’s basketball, but women’s sports, how we give up our life and sacrifice everything for the thing we love the most. For me, that was basketball forever.” 

What’s next for Diana Taurasi?

“I really don’t know,” she admitted.

Although she’s unsure of her next act, whether she gets into broadcasting or podcasting, like her good friend Sue Bird, Taurasi said she’s excited to fully immerse herself into her family after having tunnel vision for so long.

“I’ve been so addicted to the game of basketball for the last 30 years. It’s all I thought about. It’s all I prepared for,” she said. “The last couple weeks, I’ve really understood what it really means to be home and be present. You know, I was home before, but my mind was always thinking about the next game. … Now it’s Leo and Isla and being present for Penny and my family and friends that would always make sure I was OK. Now it’s my turn to repay all that to them.”

Don’t rule out a return just yet. When Taurasi first walked into the Mercury’s practice facility for the first time since the season ended, she told GM Nick U’Ren, “I want to play again.”

But not so fast.

“I’m sure I’ll have those feelings a lot, but I am so happy where I’m at right now personally,” Taurasi said. “Now, I get to really reflect on what 20 years felt like and the things that I was lucky enough to be a part of.” 

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