Diana Taurasi, a stalwart of the WNBA, is gearing up for her remarkable 20th season in the league, defying age expectations at 41 years old.
Despite reaching this impressive milestone, Taurasi shows no signs of slowing down on the court.
In the 2023 season with the Phoenix Mercury, the former UConn Huskies standout maintained her stellar performance, averaging 16 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. However, while she continues to excel, her decision to continue playing into her 40s has left her close friends in disbelief.
Reportedly, Taurasi’s friends have jokingly labeled her as “sick in the head” and even a “psycho” for opting to return for the 2024 WNBA regular season. Rather than refute these claims, Taurasi embraces them, acknowledging her relentless passion for the game.
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While she hasn’t officially announced it, Taurasi is expected to retire following this WNBA season and the 2024 Paris Olympics. The former Husky said Paris would be her final Olympics as she goes for a record-breaking sixth gold medal in women’s basketball, and the 2024 WNBA season marks her final year on her current contract with the Phoenix Mercury – the only team she’s played for in her 20-year career in the league.
“I keep getting text messages, ‘You’re sick in the head and you need to just retire,'” said Taurasi with a smile. The former Husky spoke to CT Insider during the Team USA Camp in Cleveland during the Final Four. “They go, ‘You’re a psycho’ And I am.”
While Taurasi hasn’t officially confirmed her retirement plans, it’s widely expected that she will conclude her illustrious career following the 2024 WNBA season and the Paris Olympics. Paris would mark her sixth and final Olympics, as she aims for a record-breaking sixth gold medal in women’s basketball. Additionally, the 2024 season marks the final year of her current contract with the Phoenix Mercury, the team she’s been devoted to throughout her two-decade tenure in the league.
Reflecting on the jests from her friends, Taurasi humorously acknowledges their sentiments, admitting, “You’re a psycho.” As she prepares for what is anticipated to be her final season, Taurasi hopes to conclude her storied career on a high note, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled dedication and excellence on the court.
