Diana Taurasi Provides Update on Major Career Decision

10/22/2024 04:51 PM

Following the 2024 WNBA season, many are awaiting the retirement decision of Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi. 

Taurasi (42) entered the league as the No. 1 pick out of UConn in the 2004 WNBA draft. The 6-foot guard is still playing at a high level at her age, averaging 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in 2024. 

A few weeks into the offseason, Taurasi is still mulling her career decision. In an interview with the Associated Press, the 11-time All-Star provided an update on where she is in the decision process.

"I don't take retirement lightly," Taurasi said. "I know the minute I say it or announce it, whether it's, you know, in a month or two months, I'm going to mean it. I talk to [my wife] and the Mercury, so I'm still in the thought process."

Taurasi then went on to discuss why she hasn't made her official decision yet.

"I have not taken it lightly," Taurasi added. "I think about it every day. You know, I'm still in deep thought about it. I want to make the right decision, you know, and I'm just taking my time a little bit. And you know, sometimes when the season ends, the last thing you want to think about is the next season."

Taurasi will go down as one of the best players in WNBA history. She won three titles, an MVP award and made 14 All-WNBA teams. She also holds the league record for most career points and the Olympic basketball record of six gold medals, securing her most recent in the 2024 Paris Games.

The 2024 season ended for Taurasi after getting eliminated by the WNBA Finals runner-up, the Minnesota Lynx, just two games into the postseason. Phoenix certainly did not reach expectations after signing Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper over the offseason. But, with both stars returning in 2025 along with center Brittney Griner, Taurasi could also choose to play in her 22nd season with the hopes of another title in 2025.

Related: Brittney Griner Exposes WNBA After Liberty-Lynx Game 5