Diana Taurasi Retires from WNBA After 20 Years

The White Mamba is calling it a career.

WNBA legend Diana Taurasi announced her retirement Tuesday through an exclusive story with Time Magazine. After 20 seasons, she is the league’s all-time leading scorer, a record she has held since 2017.

“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

Taurasi, 42, won three national championships under Geno Auriemma at UConn before being selected first overall by Phoenix in 2004, where she spent her entire career. The team won WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. She is a six-time Olympic gold medalist, the 2009 WNBA MVP, and an 11-time WNBA All-Star. 

“Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on 

any stage,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “On behalf of the WNBA family, I thank Diana for everything that she has brought to the WNBA – her passion, her charisma and, most of all, her relentless dedication to the game. She leaves a lasting legacy and the future of the WNBA is in a great position because of her impact that will be felt for generations to come.”

Taurasi is saying goodbye to the league after its biggest business year yet. The WNBA achieved record viewership and attendance in 2024 while inking a $2.2 billion media rights deal that will begin in 2026, when the new collective bargaining agreement will bring in even bigger player salaries. Taurasi earned a base salary of $40,800 during her 2004 rookie season, and $234,936 in her final year.

Her Phoenix Mercury became one of the most attractive spots in free agency this offseason after unveiling a new $100 million practice facility in July. Its two basketball courts are named after Taurasi.

Taurasi had been previously quiet about whether she’d return for another year. She told Time she knew she was ready to call it quits on New Year’s Day when she “just didn’t have it in [her.]”

Even her team wasn’t quite sure. Toward the end of last season, the Mercury made social media posts, t-shirts, and video tributes for Taurasi “if this is it.”

But Phoenix went into the offseason ready to build as if Taurasi wouldn’t return.

The team parted ways with another franchise player, Brittney Griner, and also traded Natasha Cloud to the Connecticut Sun. But in that trade, the Mercury acquired reigning WNBA All-First Teamer Alyssa Thomas. The team also added highly touted free agent Satou Sabally, drawn to Phoenix for its ownership and facilities. Those two will pair nicely with Kahleah Copper, a WNBA champion with the Sky who the Mercury picked up last offseason.