Ayrton Oneill
Diana Taurasi is an American former professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the women's game. Over her career, she broke numerous records, including becoming the WNBA All-Time Leading Scorer. She is a five-time scoring champion, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2009. In addition to her success in the WNBA, Taurasi was a member of the U.S. women's basketball team that won six consecutive Olympic gold medals between 2004 and 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Awards in high school | Cheryl Miller Award, 2000 Naismith Award, 1999 and 2000 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year, 2000 "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year |
| College | University of Connecticut (UConn) |
| Position | Point guard, shooting guard |
| UConn record | Three straight national titles, four national titles in total |
| UConn accolades | 2003 and 2004 Naismith College Player of the Year awards, 2003 Wade Trophy, 2003 and 2004 Honda Sports Award, 2003 Associated Press Player of the Year award |
| Draft | Selected first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury |
| WNBA debut | Scored 22 points |
| WNBA rookie season averages | 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game |
| WNBA rookie season accolades | Named to the Western Conference All-Star team, WNBA Rookie of the Year Award |
| Second WNBA season averages | 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game |
| Second WNBA season accolades | All-Star for the second straight year |
| Olympic debut | 2004 Games in Athens |
| Olympic record | Six three-point shots in a game against Serbia at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro |
| Olympic medals | Six consecutive gold medals |
| WNBA career | Three WNBA championships with the Phoenix Mercury, 565 games over 20 seasons |
| Other teams | Turkish team Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray |
| Legacy | Inspired many young players, broke barriers, and dominated at every level |
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What You'll Learn
Diana Taurasi's high school and college career
Diana Taurasi is an American former professional basketball player widely recognised as one of the greatest players in the history of the women's game. She began focusing on basketball during high school and went on to have a highly decorated career in the sport.
High School Career
Taurasi attended Don Antonio Lugo High School, where she graduated in 2000. During her time there, she became one of the most prolific scorers in California high school history, racking up 3,047 points and ranking fourth in state history. In her senior year, she was the recipient of the Cheryl Miller Award, presented by the Los Angeles Times to the best player in Southern California. She was also recognised as the 1999 and 2000 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year, and the 2000 Naismith and "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year.
College Career
After graduating from high school, Taurasi enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and began playing for their women's basketball team during the 2000-2001 season as a point guard and shooting guard. During her time at UConn, her team compiled a record of 139 wins and only eight losses. In her first season, UConn lost to Notre Dame in the Final Four. After this defeat, Taurasi famously vowed, "We will not lose another tournament game while I'm wearing this uniform." True to her word, UConn went on to win three consecutive NCAA Division I women's national championships from 2001 to 2004.
Taurasi received numerous personal accolades during her college career, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2003 and 2004, the Wade Trophy in 2003, the Honda Sports Award in 2003 and 2004, and the Associated Press Player of the Year award in 2003. She also earned her bachelor's degree from UConn in 2005, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. In 2006, she was inducted into the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.
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WNBA career
Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest players in the history of women's basketball. She was selected first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, a team that went 8–26 in the 2003 season. In her WNBA debut, Taurasi scored an impressive 22 points, despite the Mercury's loss to the Sacramento Monarchs. During her rookie season, she averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Although the Mercury did not qualify for the playoffs that year, Taurasi's outstanding performance earned her a place in the Western Conference All-Star team, and she was crowned the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
In 2005, Taurasi continued to excel, averaging 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, despite battling an ankle injury. She was named an All-Star for the second consecutive year, demonstrating her consistent excellence on the court. Over the following years, Taurasi's impact on the Mercury's success was undeniable. Her talent and leadership helped transform the team's performance, and she became a driving force behind their remarkable achievements.
Taurasi's impact on the court extended beyond statistics. Her skill, determination, and winning mentality inspired her teammates and attracted a dedicated fan base. She was instrumental in the Mercury's three WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. In 2009, she was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP), further cementing her legacy in the WNBA. Taurasi's ability to lead her team and elevate those around her was a testament to her leadership and influence on the court.
In addition to her regular-season accomplishments, Taurasi shone in the WNBA Playoffs. She holds an impressive record in winner-take-all games, showcasing her ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes were highest. Taurasi's impact on the Mercury's playoff runs cannot be overstated, as she guided her team to crucial victories and championship contention. Her performance in the playoffs solidified her reputation as a clutch performer and a pivotal figure in the Mercury's success.
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International career
Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest players in the history of women's basketball. She has represented the United States in international competitions, winning six consecutive Olympic gold medals between 2004 and 2024.
Taurasi made her Olympic debut at the 2004 Games in Athens, where she helped the US women's basketball team go undefeated and capture the gold medal. She was the youngest member of the team but still scored 13 points in the first game against Japan. Taurasi was instrumental in extending the team's unbeaten streak over the next four successive Olympics.
At the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Taurasi set a single-game Olympic record by hitting six three-point shots in a game against Serbia. In the 2020 Games in Tokyo, which were delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she made history with Sue Bird, becoming the most decorated Olympic basketball player of all time. The pair had played alongside each other in every Olympics since 2004, and Tokyo was their fifth gold medal.
Taurasi's final Olympic appearance was at the 2024 Games in Paris, where she won her sixth gold medal, becoming the only basketball player in Olympic history to achieve this feat.
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Awards and accolades
Diana Taurasi is considered a basketball legend and one of the greatest players in the history of the women's game. She has had a stellar career in the WNBA and has also been a member of the U.S. women's basketball teams that won six consecutive Olympic gold medals between 2004 and 2024.
Taurasi began her award-winning career in high school, where she was the recipient of the 2000 Cheryl Miller Award, presented by the Los Angeles Times to the best player in Southern California. She was also recognised 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, and the 2000 Naismith Award for the national girls' high-school basketball player of the year.
Taurasi then went on to play for the University of Connecticut (UConn) women's basketball team, where she received numerous accolades, 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. She also earned back-to-back Naismith Awards for the women's college basketball player of the year in 2003 and 2004, when UConn won consecutive national championships.
In 2004, Taurasi was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. In her rookie season, she averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, and was named to the Western Conference All-Star team and won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. She went on to become a five-time scoring champion and the league's all-time leading scorer in 2017. In 2009, she was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP), and was honoured as an All-WNBA selection in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
In addition to her WNBA success, Taurasi was a key member of the U.S. women's basketball team, winning six Olympic gold medals between 2004 and 2024. At the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, she set a single-game Olympic record by hitting six three-point shots against Serbia. With her sixth gold medal in 2024, Taurasi became the only basketball player in Olympic history with this achievement.
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Legacy and impact
Diana Taurasi is regarded as a basketball legend and has left an indelible mark on the sport. She is one of the greatest players in the history of women's basketball and has had a stellar career in the WNBA. Taurasi was the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft, selected by the Phoenix Mercury, and played all 20 of her WNBA seasons with the team. She led the Mercury to three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, and 2014) and became the league's all-time leading scorer in 2017. She was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2009 and was a five-time scoring champion.
In addition to her WNBA success, Taurasi represented the US in international play and made her Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, where she helped the US women's team capture the gold medal. She went on to win five more consecutive Olympic gold medals, becoming the most decorated Olympic basketball player in history. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she set a single-game Olympic record by making six three-point shots against Serbia.
Taurasi's impact extends beyond her on-court achievements. She has been described as a trailblazer who inspired and mentored younger players, with her competitive spirit and leadership serving as a source of motivation for those who followed in her footsteps. Her success and visibility also contributed to the growth and recognition of women's basketball, helping to attract new fans and elevate the sport's profile.
Taurasi's legacy is also marked by her resilience and dedication to the sport. She battled through injuries and persevered to achieve success, as evidenced by her performance while playing with an ankle injury during the 2005 WNBA season. She was also recognised for her mental toughness and determination, qualities that inspired others both within and outside of basketball.
The impact of Taurasi's career can be seen in the numerous awards and accolades she received throughout her time as a player. In addition to her MVP awards and championships, she was honoured with the Cheryl Miller Award by the Los Angeles Times and was recognised as Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000. She was also the recipient of the Naismith Award for the national girls' high school basketball player of the year in 2000 and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award in 2003 and 2004. She was further recognised as a member of the inaugural class of inductees into the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program in 2006.
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Frequently asked questions
Diana Taurasi won the following awards in high school: the 2000 Cheryl Miller Award, the 1999 and 2000 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year, the 2000 Naismith Award, and "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year.
Diana Taurasi attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) and played for the women's basketball team.
Diana Taurasi won many awards 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.
Diana Taurasi played for the Phoenix Mercury, where she was a rookie of the year and a multiple-time WNBA champion.
Diana Taurasi won six Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national team.
