Diana Taurasi, WNBA's all-time leading scorer, announces retirement
Baku, February 26, AZERTAC
Diana Taurasi, the leading scorer in WNBA history and voted "greatest of all time" by the league's fans, announced her retirement Tuesday after 20 seasons, according to ESPN.
"Mentally and physically, I'm just full," Taurasi told Time magazine. "That's probably the best way I can describe it. I'm full and I'm happy."
Taurasi, 42, steps away as one of the most decorated players in basketball history. She made an impact from her first moments at UConn in 2000, and she was still in the spotlight through the end of her WNBA career, helping lead the Phoenix Mercury to the playoffs this past season.
In August, Taurasi became the first basketball player to win six Olympic gold medals.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert hailed Taurasi as "one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage."
"In a record-setting career that saw her play 20 seasons, score more points and make more three-point shots than any player in WNBA history, she has earned the unquestioned respect of players around the globe, delivered electrifying moments and captivated fans again and again," Engelbert said in a prepared 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."
Taurasi scored 10,646 points -- the only WNBA player to surpass the 10K mark in scoring -- in 565 regular-season games, and she scored another 1,476 points in 72 playoff contests. She led Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2004, to WNBA championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014.
A five-time WNBA scoring champion and 14-time All-WNBA selection, Taurasi was league MVP in 2009 and Finals MVP in 2009 and 2014. She also leaves as the WNBA's leader in 3-pointers made with 1,447 in the regular season and 215 in the playoffs.
