Taurasi tallied 32 points (10-22 FG, 7-15 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven assists, four rebounds and two blocks over 32 minutes in Tuesday's win against the Aces. Here's his full story. Taurasi is now a seven-time All-Star, a record nine First Team All-WNBA selections, a three-time WNBA champion and the 2009 WNBA MVP. The 38-year-old finishes the season with 18.7 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds over 28.1 minutes per game. All rights reserved. July 15: Became the fifth player in WNBA history to score 5,000 career points… quickest to do so in just 243 games. The beautiful friendship finally turned into a serious relationship. She kept “an open mind” about signing with another team, but she “always came back to Phoenix.” Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories. However, she mainly plays guard. Guard: Diana Taurasi (2001-04) Taurasi’s three-peat with the Huskies from 2002-04 helped reaffirm UConn as a dynasty with staying power. $199.99. July 23: Was named one of the 15 greatest players in WNBA history. While Diggins-Smith is working to compete in her first Olympic games, her Mercury teammate and backcourt mate Diana Taurasi is gearing up for her fifth trip to the Olympics. “I … 1 pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft on April 17, 2004, Led Mercury in scoring with 17.0 points per game, First player in WNBA history to start career with three consecutive 20+ point games (22, 26, 22), Led all rookies in scoring, three-point field goal percentage, free throw percentage and minutes, Second among rookies in rebounds and assists, Recorded first career double-double on September 3, 2004 at Houston (27 points, 11 rebounds), In first season, scored third-most points in a single season in franchise history, Led UCONN to three consecutive national championships (2002, 2003, 2004), NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in two consecutive seasons (2003, 2004), Naismith Player of the Year Award (best female player in the nation) winner in two consecutive seasons (2003, 2004), Became just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back Naismith awards in 2003 and 2004 (Cheryl Miller, Dawn Staley, Chamique Holdsclaw)…one-of-seven NCAAW players all-time to win in back-to-back seasons (Miller, Staley, Holdsclaw, Seimone Augustus, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart), Named to the first women’s Wooden Award All-American team for senior season, First player in UConn history to finish career with 2,000 points, 600 assists and 600 rebounds, 2003 Honda Trophy Award winner for basketball, 2001 Kodak All-American and AP Second Team All-American, 2001-02 Naismith Player of the Year and Honda Award for Women’s Basketball Finalist, Named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA East Region in 2001, Named 2001 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player, the first rookie ever to earn the honor, Four-time Olympic gold medalist (2016, 2012, 2008, 2004), Three-time FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup gold medalist (2018, 2014, 2010)…named to “All-Star Five” team in 2018 and 2010, Six-time Euroleague champion (2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), Three-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2012, 2010, 2006), Member of the bronze medal-winning 2006 USA National Team at the World Championships in Brazil, Youngest member of the gold medal-winning 2004 US Women’s National Team in the Athens Olympics, Earned a bronze medal as a member of the 2001 USA Junior World Championship team, Earned a gold medal as a member of the 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Championship Qualifying team, Member of the 2001 All-FIBA Junior World Championship team, Named July 2001 USA Basketball “Female Athlete of the Month”, Spent the 2016-17 offseason playing with UMMC Ekateriburg for the fourth consecutive year…finished second in the EuroLeague in scoring at 17.9 ppg, while adding 2.8 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 15 games, Spent the 2015-16 offseason playing with UMMC in Russia where she led the EuroLeague in scoring with 20.8 points per game…also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, Spent the 2013-14 offseason playing with UMMC in Russia where she averaged 16.9 points and 5.0 assists per game, Spent the 2012-13 offseason playing for UMMC in Russia where she averaged 15.5 points and 4.7 assists per game. 23.1, Katie Smith), First player in WNBA history to break the 800-point mark in a single season, Scored a league-record 860 points in 2006, Moved into second place on the Mercury all-time scoring list, 828 points behind Jennifer Gillom, Set franchise records for single season double-figure scoring games (33), 20-point games (26), 30-point games (8, ties WNBA record) and 40-point games (2, ties WNBA record), Second player in league history to record multiple 40-point games in the same season (Smith), Third player all-time to record multiple 40-point games in a career (Smith, Cynthia Cooper), Scored a league-record 47 points at Houston on August 10, 2006, Scored a then-franchise record 41 points at Houston on July 27, 2006, Eight scoring efforts of 30 or more points (includes both 40-point efforts) in 34 games in 2006; franchise entered season with nine 30-point efforts in first nine seasons (288 games), Scored at least 20 points in a WNBA-record 13 consecutive games (last 12 games of 2006, first game of 2007), Broke Jennifer Gillom’s franchise record for points in a season in just 26 games (624, Gillom set in 30) on July 28, 2006 at San Antonio, Became the fourth player to score 500 or more points in each of her first three seasons (eighth player to do it in three consecutive seasons overall), Along with Cappie Pondexter, became the first pair of teammates in WNBA history to score 30 or more points in the same game on June 6, 2006, Scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games twice in 2006 (second player all-time), Shot career-bests from the field (.452) and three-point range (.397, 8th-WNBA), Dished a team-leading 4.1 assists per game (5th-WNBA), Averaged a staggering 30.1 points per game in seven games in the month of August (211/7), a franchise record for a single month, Averaged 25.2 points in July (4th all-time, Mercury history) and 23.3 points in May (tied, 6th), Committed a career-low 79 turnovers despite leading the league in scoring and the team in assists. June 28: Became the fourth player in league history with 600 made threes, June 4: Scored 31 points, the best performance of her career in a WNBA season opener… Three points shy of the best season opening performance in WNBA history, 2010 Peak Performer for leading the league in scoring with 22.6 points per game… third consecutive award… WNBA-record fourth overall, Was named the Best WNBA Player at the 2010 ESPY Awards on July 14, her fourth career ESPY award, Recorded two double-doubles… the sixth and seventh of her career, Became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 4,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 900 assists (224 games), On Aug. 1 recorded just the second 30-point, 10-assist performance in WNBA history (Jia Perkins, 2007), Three-time Western Conference Player of the Week (June 14, July 26, Aug. 2), Scored a season-high 44 points on July 14 vs. Seattle (3OT)… third career 40-point performance, most in WNBA history, Tied her own WNBA record with 33 field goal attempts vs. Seattle on July 14 (3OT), Recorded back-to-back 30-point performances twice, extending her WNBA record to five such occurrences, Tallied the 800th assist of her career on June 4 vs. Los Angeles and the 900th on Aug. 3 at San Antonio, Played in her 200th career game on May 22 vs. Seattle, all starts, all for the Mercury, Recorded her 900th career rebound on May 22 vs. Seattle and 1,000th on Aug. 6 vs. San Antonio, Led the WNBA in scoring with 20.4 points per game, marking the third time in four seasons she’s been the league’s leading scorer, Averaged a career-high 5.7 rebounds per game (22nd-WNBA), Posted 1.39 blocks per game (8th-NBA), and ranked first among guards, Shot a career-best 46.1 percent from the field (prev. She was MVP of the 2009 and 2015 WNBA Finals. Taurasi was one of the Mercury's top scorers Tuesday as the team had a late surge to advance in the playoffs. Next year she was selected for the 2001 USA Junior World Championship (U19) Team, finishing third in Brno, Czech Republic. Diana Taurasi and wife Penny Taylor were once teammates for the Phoenix Mercury until the latter retired after the 2016 season. A 16-season veteran, 38-year-old Taurasi is the … Taurasi logged 23 points (7-14 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six assists and four rebounds over 35 minutes in Tuesday's win against the Mystics. Last one. While playing for another Russian team, Dynamo Kursk, Bird and Taurasi met with Kalmanovich for the first time in 2006. 45.2, 2006), Ranked seventh in the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage, shooting a career-best 40.7 percent (prev. Diana Taurasi looks back fondly at her days at UConn, when she played some intense pick-up games with Sue Bird. 1 overall pick by Phoenix in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Re-signed with the Mercury to a multi-year contract on February 1, 2020, WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 8,931 career points entering 2021… moved past Tina Thompson (7,488 points in 496 career games) on June 18, 2017 vs. Los Angeles at Staples Center…basket came with 45.3 seconds remaining in the second quarter while playing in her 377th-career game, WNBA all-time leader in made field goals with 2,821 entering 2021…passed Tina Thompson (2,630) as the leader on July 5, 2018 against Connecticut, Owns WNBA record for most points scored in a single game without a two-point field goal attempt (28 on June 17, 2018 at Las Vegas)…was then also considered the WNBA and NBA record after surpassing Robert Horry’s mark of 27 points…Duncan Robinson now owns the NBA record for most points with a two-point field goal attempts with 29 points (November 11, 2019 vs. Cleveland), All-Time leader on the WNBA Playoffs scoring list (1,279 career playoff points)… passed Tamika Catchings (1,141 points) as leader on August 26, 2018 at Seattle in Game 1 of WNBA Semifinals, WNBA-best five-time Peak Performer as the league’s leading scorer…four-straight from 2008-11…won the closest scoring race in WNBA history in 2011, outscoring Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry by .07 points per game, Scored 24 points—including basket that clinched the 2014 WNBA Championship for the Phoenix Mercury—in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals which made her the then all-time leading scorer in WNBA Finals history (now ranks sixth)…she has scored 262 points in 13 career WNBA Finals games, Became the first player in WNBA history to reach 8,000 career points on June 5, 2018 at New York in 406th career game, Became the first player in WNBA history to achieve 7,000 career points, 1,500 rebounds and 1,500 assists on May 17, 2017 against Indiana, Became fastest player in league history to reach 7,000 career points on June 24, 2016 at Washington, doing so in 348 career games, 80 games fewer than previous record holder Tamika Catchings…just the third player to reach that mark, joining Catchings and Tina Thompson, On August 11, 2013 became the fastest player in WNBA history to surpass 6,000 points, doing so in just 291 career games, 25 fewer games than previous record holder Lauren Jackson…became just the sixth player in league history to reach the mark, joining Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie, Katie Smith, Lauren Jackson, and Tamika Catchings, Was just the second player in WNBA history to record 5,000 career points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists, Was the fastest player in WNBA history to record 4,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 900 assists (224 games), Was the fastest player in league history to eclipse 4,000 career points (197 games), Was the first player in league history to record 500 or more points in each of her first five seasons…..scored 500 or more points in eight consecutive WNBA seasons (2004-11), the longest streak by any player in league history, The only player in WNBA history to score 600 or more points in six consecutive seasons (2006-2011), Only player in WNBA history to record 800 points in a season more than once (860 in 2006, 820 in 2008)…Maya Moore scored 812 points during 2014 season, Scored in double figures in a franchise-record 50 consecutive games (July 1, 2009 – Aug. 13, 2010), Owns league scoring records for scoring average in a season (25.3 ppg, 2006) and points in a season (860, 2006), Second player all-time to record multiple 40-point games in the same season (2006; Katie Smith)…tied with Maya Moore for most career 40-point games in WNBA history (three), Seven career back-to-back 30-point performances, most in WNBA history (once in 2017, once in 2016, twice in 2010, once in 2008, twice in 2006), 48 career 30-point efforts, most in WNBA history, Scored 20 or more points in a WNBA-record 13 consecutive games (final 12 games of 2006 and first game of 2007), Has scored 20 or more points 228 times in her career, the most in WNBA history, Scored 10 or more points in a franchise-record 50 consecutive games from July 1, 2009 – Aug. 13, 2010, WNBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals with 1,164 entering 2021, Recorded 1,000th career three-pointer in 399th career game during 2018 season opener on May 18 against Dallas…Only three players in NBA history reached 1,000 career three-point field goal makes in 400 games or less (Steph Curry – 396 games, Klay Thompson – 372 games, Damian Lillard – 385 games)…only player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career made three-pointers, Became the WNBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals on June 1, 2017 at Chicago, surpassing Katie Smith’s old record of 906…her eight three-pointers in the game matched her own career high for most three-pointers in a game (four times), Owns the top six single-season three-point totals in WNBA history (121 in 2006, 108 in 2018, 96 in 2017, 95 in 2005, 89 in both 2016 and 2008), Has led WNBA in three-point field goals 10 times in her career, the most times a WNBA/NBA/ABA player has led their league in three-point field goals…Stephen Curry is second, leading NBA in threes five times…Katie Smith is second on WNBA list, leading league four times, Has 40 career WNBA Finals three-point field goals, the most in WNBA Finals history, WNBA’s all-time leader for most three-point field goals in WNBA Playoff history (176)…Moved into first place during the 2016 playoffs after entering postseason tied with Becky Hammon with 11, Holds a career record of 14-2 in deciding Game 3’s in best-of-three series, Game 5’s in best-of-five series and single elimination games the WNBA Playoffs (1-0, Game 5 at DET, 9/16/07; 2-0, Game 3 vs. SA, 9/21/09; 3-0, Game 3 vs. LA, 9/26/09; 4-0, Game 5 vs. IND, 10/9/09; 5-0, Game 3 at SEA, 9/19/11; 6-0, Game 3 at LA, 9/23/13; 7-0, Game 3 vs. MIN, 9/2/14; 8-0, Game 1 at IND, 9/21/16; 9-0, Game 1 at NY, 9/24/16; 10-0, Game 1 vs. SEA, 9/6/17; 11-0, Game 1 at CON, 9/10/17; 12-0, Game 1 vs. DAL, 8/21/18; 13-0, Game 1 at CON, 8/23/18; 13-1, Game 5 at SEA, 9/4/18, 14-1, Game 1 vs. WAS, 9/15/20; 14-2, Game 1 at MIN, 9/17/20), Holds a 20-7 (74.1-percent) career record in elimination games in the WNBA Playoffs, including an 8-2 mark on the road, Holds a 51-8 (86.4-percent) record throughout her entire basketball career in elimination games (NCAA Tournament, WNBA Playoffs and Olympics), Behind Taurasi, Phoenix is 7-1 in single-elimination WNBA playoff games (1-1 in 2020, DNP in 2019, 2-0 in 2018, 2-0 in 2017, 2-0 in 2016) since the league’s playoff format switch…Washington is the only other WNBA team with more than two wins in the first two rounds (3), In 2013, became the first player in WNBA history to finish in the top two in scoring and assists in the same season (Becky Hammon, 2009, is lone player to finish in the top three)…only NBA players who have finished in top two in scoring and assists in the same season: James Harden (2016-17), Nate Archibald (1972), Oscar Robertson (1963, 1966) and Bob Cousy (1953), WNBA Peak performer in 2015 in assists averaging 5.6…became the first player in WNBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists for a season in their career…only six NBA players in league history have led the league in scoring and assists (whether in the same season or different seasons): LeBron James (scoring leader in 2007-08 and assists leader in 2019-20); James Harden (scoring leader in 2017-18 and assists leader in 2016-17); Russell Westbrook (two-time scoring leader, 2014-15 and 2016-17 and assists leader in 2017-18); Nate Archibald (led league in scoring and assists, 1972-73); Wilt Chamberlain (seven-time scoring leader, 1959-60 – 1965-66 and assists leader in 1967-68) and Jerry West (scoring leader in 1969-70 and assists leader in 1971-72), Has recorded 100+ assists in 12 seasons throughout her career, trailing only Sue Bird (16), Ticha Penicheiro (14) and Lindsay Whalen (13), Owns 20 career double-doubles, including 13 with points/assists, seven with points/rebounds…ranks tied for fourth with Lindsay Whalen for the most points/assists double-doubles in WNBA history, Became the first player in WNBA history to notch at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game at the age of 38 or older on July 21, 2020 against Las Vegas…the only NBA players to do so at age 38+ are John Stock (eight times), Steve Nash (twice), Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Joined Kobe Bryant as the only two players in WNBA and NBA history to record at least 34 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, 10 made free throws, seven three-point field goals and shoot 52-percent from the field in a game on August 23, 2020 against Washington while wearing a No. In 2016 Team Taurasi reached the Elite Eight!! $3.95. Other Finders: Draft Finder, Head2Head Finder, Player Comparison Finder. Diana Taurasi is returning to the Phoenix Mercury for her 17th WNBA season. As expected, she'll remain with Phoenix for at least two years, coming off a 2020 campaign in which she averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.0 steals in 28.1 minutes per contest. Team USA notes: Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi preparing for final run in 2020 Olympics The US national team prepared for its exhibition with UConn at UHart on Sunday. In 2014, Cal Storm Team Taurasi captured the Inaugural EYBL Nike National Championship. This team, coached by three-time gold medalist Dawn Staley, will likely feature Bird and Taurasi for the final time in a playing capacity. Taurasi had 28 points (9-20 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine assists, four rebounds and one steal over 35 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Lynx. As for the starting five, here’s our crack at it. Diana Taurasi said Tuesday she was reinvigorated by her play last summer in the bubble in Bradenton, Florida, which encouraged her to continue playing and re-sign with the Mercury. She’s a forward for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and one of the most important female athletes in … Last one. Taurasi could own a team and host a TV talk show with her “lemme tell you a story” intros. The three-time WNBA champion is set to turn 39 years old in June, but retirement doesn't appear to be in the cards yet for Taurasi. However, neither Bird, 40, nor Taurasi, 38, have spent much time thinking of this as a farewell to the red, white and blue. How Diana Taurasi Became the GOAT of Women's Basketball. They've decided to raise him vegan. While playing for another Russian team, Dynamo Kursk, Bird and Taurasi met with Kalmanovich for the first time in 2006. Additional WNBA records that belong to DT after 2006: 2005 WNBA All-Star (July 9, 2005; New York), WNBA Player of the Week (August 1-7, 2005), Became just the fifth player in Mercury history to score over 1,000 career points, Second player in franchise history to score over 1,000 career points in her first two seasons (Gillom), Nearly had a triple double on August 5, 2005 vs. Houston (27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists), Scored a then-career-high 31 points in the 2005 season finale at Seattle, the first 30-point effort of her career, Scored in double figures in 28 of 33 games, Selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the No. Throughout 18 starts this year, the 38-year-old veteran is posting 19.5 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 40.9 percent overall. Taurasi saw a slight downtick in playing time Thursday compared to what she's used to, but she converted on a season-high eight shots from beyond the arc to put up the second-highest scoring total on the team. For many, Diana Taurasi is a household name. She is an American basketball player who is currently involved in the Phoenix Mercury team. Taurasi had 23 points (7-18 FG, 4-15 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 12 rebounds and four assists over 29 minutes in Sunday's win against the Lynx. Diana Taurasi USA National Team • Diana became a member of the 2000 USA Junior World Championship under 18 teams, winning gold with a 5-0 record at the FIBA Americas Championship, beating Cuba in Mar del Plata, Argentina. 2005 Rittenhouse WNBA 2004 Team Leaders Diana Taurasi Penny Taylor #TL9. Diana Taurasi The best women’s college basketball team ever is from Connecticut. Just one game after recording her first double-double of 2020, Taurasi had another monster performance as she converted on seven shots from beyond the arc, matching her highest total of the season. Despite turning 38 during last season, the league legend said she never considered retiring. At times in her career, she had to play forward because there were shorter players in the starting five on her team. Look for Taurasi to once again serve as a starter in the backcourt alongside Skylar Diggins-Smith. Taurasi tallied 19 points (4-14 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 10-10 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 30 minutes in Monday's loss to the Sun. Other Finders: Draft Finder, Head2Head Finder, Player Comparison Finder. “It’s an instant thing,” said Taylor, who became Taurasi’s longtime teammate and then […] But the enthusiasm Diana Taurasi “put into just saying hello” was stunning. Taurasi was close to committing to … The two were former teammates who have served for the club and won everything possible. Missed 17 games rehabilitating a strained left hip flexor. Three-time WNBA Champion (2014, 2009, 2007), Four-time Olympic gold medalist (2016, 2012, 2008, 2004)…One of only five athletes in history with four Olympic gold medals in basketball…no basketball athlete has five gold medals, Six-time Euroleague Champion (2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), Two-time WNBA Finals MVP (2014, 2009)…..one-of-four players in league history to win the WNBA Finals MVP more than once (Cynthia Cooper, 4; Lisa Leslie, 2; Sylvia Fowles, 2), Four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2016, 2012, 2008, 2006), Three-time Euroleague Final Four MVP (2016, 2010, 2009), Nine-Time WNBA All-Star (2018, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005)…..no All-Star game in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 or 2020, and Taurasi did not play in 2015…voted a starter in all nine appearances, 10-time All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004)…most All-WNBA First Team selections in WNBA history, Four-time All-WNBA Second Team (2020, 2017, 2016, 2005), Has been named to the All-WNBA First or Second Team 14 times, the most in WNBA history…Lisa Leslie and Tamika Catchings have the second-most with 12, Six-time ESPY award winner including three times for Best WNBA Player (2012, 2011, 2010), twice for Best Female College Athlete (2003, 2004) and once as the Best Female Athlete (2004), 20-time WNBA Player of the Week (once in 2017, once in 2016, twice in 2014, twice in 2013, once in 2011, three times in 2010, once in 2009, four times in 2008, twice in 2007, twice in 2006, once in 2005), Four-time WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month (August 2018, June 2018, June 2014, June 2013)…accounts for all four times a Mercury player has won the award in franchise history, Mercury all-time franchise leader in 16 categories: seasons, games played, games started, minutes played, points scored, scoring average, field goals made, field goal attempts, 3-pointers, 3-point attempts, free throws made, free throw attempts, defensive rebounds, assists, steals and championships, Named one of the 20 greatest players in WNBA history during the league’s 20th anniversary in 2016, Named one the 15 greatest players in WNBA history during the league’s 15th anniversary celebration in 2011, WNBA All-Decade Team Honorable Mention in 2006, No. June 6, 2006), Shot 44.6 percent from the floor, the third consecutive season she’s shot over 44 percent, Re-signed with the Mercury on March 20, 2008, Became just the second player in league history to record 500 or more points in each of her first four seasons (Cynthia Cooper), Became just the fifth player in WNBA history to score 600 or more points in back-to-back seasons (Cooper, Katie Smith, Lauren Jackson, Seimone Augustus), Second-fastest player to 2,000 points in WNBA history (Jackson and Smith); reached the mark in 104 games, Two-time WNBA Player of the Week in 2007 (August 6, May 28), Only WNBA player ranked in top 10 in points, assists and blocks, Averaged 19.2 points, third-most in the league, Averaged at least four assists for the third-straight season (4.3, 8th-WNBA), Led the team in scoring 14 times, steals 11 times, blocks 14 times, Led all WNBA guards in blocks with 1.06 (8th-WNBA), 2006 WNBA Peak Performer as league’s leading scorer (25.3 ppg), Two-time WNBA Player of the Week (July 3-9, August 7-13), Averaged a WNBA-record 25.3 points per game (prev. The 38-year-old is averaging 19.7 points and 5.0 assists over 28.7 minutes per game this year. Free shipping. Here's his full story. Greatest Of All Time, face of the franchise re-commits to Mercury Three-time WNBA Champion, nine-time WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA Finals MVP and 2009 WNBA MVP Diana Taurasi today signed a multi-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury, the team has announced. Taurasi agreed Monday with the Mercury on a multi-year contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. Spent 2011-12 offseason playing for Galatasaray in Istanbul, Turkey where she led the league in scoring with 20.9 points per game. Diana Taurasi; National Team Women; Featured Content Article Dawn Staley to Lead Experienced Staff into 2021 AmeriCup Action 2018-21 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Dawn Staley has been tabbed to head up the 2021 USA AmeriCup Team coaching staff. Several players shared scoring honors, with Swin Cash, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Lindsay Whalen, and Sylvia Fowles all ending as high scorer in the first few games. The … Taurasi posted 27 points (8-14 FG, 8-13 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three assists and two rebounds over 25 minutes in Thursday's win against the Fever. Team USA Celebrates The 1992 Men's Basketball Olympic Anniversary + 10 Things We Learned This Week. {{ player.hanaInfo.HEIGHT | ftInchesToMeters }} m, {{ player.hanaInfo.WEIGHT | lbsToKg }} kg. More:Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi on teaming with Skylar Diggins-Smith and her improving health Reach the reporter at jeff.metcalfe@arizonarepublic.com or … 0. Mercury star Diana Taurasi has agreed to return to Phoenix on a multiyear deal, the team announced. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the NBA.com. 8 ‘BRYANT’ jersey in remembrance of Kobe on what would have been his 42nd birthday, Recorded her 300th-career block in the Mercury’s win on September 1, 2020 at Las Vegas, Only player in WNBA history with at least 8,000 career points, 1,500 rebounds, 1,500 assists, 1,000 three-point field goals and 300 blocks…only 10 NBA guards have such numbers in league history (James Harden is the only active one entering 2021), Averaged 18.7 points on the season, marking the 13th time in her career she’s led the Mercury in scoring…finished eighth in the league in scoring, marking the 14th season she has finished in the top-ten in scoring average in the WNBA (2012 and 2019 are the only two seasons she has finished outside the top-ten, missing 26 games due to injury in 2012 and 28 games in 2019 due to injury), One of only two players In the WNBA In 2020 to rank in the top-10 in both scoring (eighth) and assists (eighth) per game, joining teammate, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Became the first player in WNBA history to average at least 18 points, four rebounds, 3 assists and three three-point make per game for a season, Named to All-WNBA Second Team for the fourth time in her career (10-time First Team selection), Played in 19 of the Mercury’s 22 games in Bradenton, Fla., missing the three games from August 10-14 due to a back Injury suffered on August 8 against Seattle, Dished a season-high 10 assists on July 21 against Las Vegas…12 games with four or more assists, 10 games with five or more assists, Recorded at least one assist in all but one of the 19 games she played in (did not record one in season opener on July 25 against Los Angeles), Recorded two double-doubles on the season (July 31 vs. Las Vegas, 22 points, 10 assists; August 30 at Minnesota, 23 points, 12 rebounds)…Seventh double-double with points/rebounds and 13th double-double with points/assists, tying Lindsay Whalen for most points/assists double-doubles in WNBA history, Led the league in made three-pointers with 61…10th time in her 16-year career she has led league in three-point makes (no NBA player has ever led the league in made three-pointers more than five times…Steph Curry has most, leading NBA five straight seasons), Averaged a league-best 3.2 three-point makes per game in 2020, the fourth time In WNBA history a player has averaged at least three three-pointers per game, all of which have been done by Taurasi (2020, 2018, 2017, 2006), Made 28 three-pointers in five consecutive games from August 23-September 3, setting a WNBA record for most three-pointers over a five-game span, Shot 36.5-percent (61-of-167) from the three-point line marking the 12th season she has shot 35-percent or better from beyond the arc, Recorded at least one three-pointer in 17 of the 19 games she played in…made four or more three-pointers in eight games…made seven or more three-pointers in three games…matched her career high in three-pointers with eight on September 3 against Indiana (has done so four times), Recorded eight 20+ point games and now owns a WNBA-record 228 for her career, 76 more than second place (Cappie Pondexter), Scored 30 or more points two times (34, August 23 at Washington; 32, September 1 at Las Vegas) and now has a WNBA-record 49 30-point games in her career, 17 more than second place (Angel McCoughtry), Scored in double-figures in 16 of her 19 games times including 13 straight from July 31-September 3, Recorded her 300th-career block in the Mercury’s win on September 1 at Las Vegas, Led the team In scoring during the playoffs, averaging 25.5 ppg In the two games, her highest scoring playoff average in her career…shot 47.6-percent from three-point range and 47.1-percent from the field during the playoffs…also averaged a playoff career-best 7.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds, Her 10 three-pointers in the postseason increased her WNBA record for most career three-point field goals to 176, With the Mercury’s 1-1 record in the playoffs, Taurasi’s record in winner-take-all games (single elimination games, Game 3’s in best-of-three series and Game 5’s in best-of-five series) in the WNBA Playoffs improved to 14-2 during her WNBA career…now holds a 20-7 career record in elimination games in the WNBA Playoffs, including an 8-2 mark on the road, Teamed with Skylar Diggins-Smith to become the first set of teammates to each have 20+ points, 5+ assists and 3+ three-point field goals in the same playoff game on September 15 against Washington, Underwent back surgery on April 24, 2019, causing her to miss the first 13 games of the season, Made 2019 season debut on July 12 at Connecticut, finishing with five points, three rebounds and four assists, Following season debut on July 12, missed the Mercury’s next 12 games with a hamstring injury…missed one game on August 20 due to suspension, Scored a season-high 12 points to go along with four assists and four rebounds on August 25 against Chicago after missing previous 13 games due to injury and one-game suspension, Dished a season-high 10 assists in the Mercury’s win at New York on August 27…followed up that game with eight assists in Atlanta on August 29, After appearing in six games in 2019, including five straight from August 25-September 3, missed the Mercury’s final two regular season games due to her hamstring, Knocked down just one three-pointer in 2019, and now stands at a WNBA-best 1,103 in her career, Did not play in the Mercury’s lone playoff game on September 11 due to her hamstring, Averaged 20.7 points on the season, leading the Mercury in scoring for the 12th time in her 14-year career…finished third in the league in scoring, marking the 13th season she has finished in the top-ten in scoring average in the WNBA (2012 season was her only season outside the top-ten, missed 26 games due to injury)…highest scoring average since 2013 when she also averaged 20.3 ppg, Only four players in NBA history have averaged 20+ points in a season at age 36 or older (Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan)…Cynthia Cooper is the only other WNBA player to do so, Ranked in the top-five in both scoring (third) and assists (fourth), the only player in the league to do so in 2018, Became the first player in WNBA history to reach 8,000 career points on June 5, 2018 at New York, Became first player in WNBA history to make 1,000 career three-pointers in 399th career game during season opener on May 18 against Dallas…Only three players in NBA history reached 1,000 career three-point field goal makes in 400 games or less (Steph Curry – 396 games, Klay Thompson – 372 games, Damian Lillard – 385 games)…only player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career made three-pointers, Became WNBA’s all-time leader in made field goals on July 5 against Connecticut, passing Tina Thompson (2,630)…now stands at 2,721 in her career, Named to All-WNBA First Team for the tenth time in her career (three-time Second Team selection)…most First Team selections in WNBA history, Appeared in her ninth WNBA All-Star game and was voted a starter for the ninth time…has played in every All-Star game that has taken place during the 14 years she has been in the WNBA, Played in 33 games in 2018 missing only the July 25 game vs. Chicago (suspension), Recorded five 20+ point, 8+ assists games in 2018, giving her 16 in her career…she has the most 20+ point, 8+ assists games since entering the league in 2004, Dished a career-high 14 assists in back-to-back games on August 12 against Los Angeles and August 17 against Atlanta, Recorded her 12th 100+ assist season of her career…only Sue Bird (16), Ticha Penicheiro (14) and Lindsay Whalen (13) have recorded more, Led the league in made three-pointers with 106…eighth time she’s made 80 or more three-pointers in a season…ninth time in her 14-year career she has led league in three-point makes (no NBA player has ever led the league in made three-pointers more than five times…Steph Curry has most, leading NBA five straight seasons)…second time in WNBA history a player has made 100+ three-pointers in a season, both by Taurasi (121 in 2006), Averaged 3.2 made three-pointers per game, becoming the only player in WNBA/NBA history to average over three three-pointers per game in a season at age 36 or older, Shot 38.3-percent (106-of-277) from the three-point line marking the 11th season she has shot 35-percent or better from beyond the arc, Made her first seven three-point attempts at New York on June 26 to become the first player in WNBA history to begin a game seven-for-seven from behind the arc, Recorded 20 20+ point games and now owns a WNBA-record 220 for her career, Scored 30 or more points two times (33, July 19 vs. Las Vegas; 37, August 1 at Las Vegas) and now has a WNBA-record 46 30-point games in her career, Scored in double-figures 30 times, including 12 straight to close the season, Named Western Conference Player of the Month twice in 2018 for the months of June and August…has won the award four times in her career, accounting for all four times a Mercury player has won the award in franchise history, Ranked third on the team in scoring during the playoffs, averaging 21.0 ppg in seven games…shot 41.9-percent from three-point range and 47.7-percent from the field during the playoffs…also averaged team-high 6.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds, Her 26 three-pointers in the postseason increased her WNBA record for most career three-point field goals to 166…most three-pointers she’s made in the postseason since 2009 when she made 31 in 11 games…averaged a career-best 3.7 three-pointers per game in the seven playoff games, Averaged 17.9 points on the season, marking just the second time in her 13-year career she did not lead the Mercury in scoring (Griner – 21.9 ppg)…finished eighth in the league in scoring, marking the 12th season she has finished in the top-ten in scoring average in the WNBA (2012 season was her only season outside the top-ten, missed 26 games due to injury)..highest scoring average since 2013, Became the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer on June 18 at the Staples Center while playing the Los Angeles Sparks…basket came with 45.3 seconds remaining in the second quarter while playing in her 377th-career game…moved past Tina Thompson (7,488 points in 496 career games), Became the WNBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals on June 1, 2017 at Chicago, surpassing Katie Smith’s old record of 906…her eight three-pointers in the game matched a then WNBA record for most three-pointers in a game (Taurasi has done so three times), Named to All-WNBA Second Team for the third time in her career (nine-time First Team selection), Appeared in her eighth WNBA All-Star game this season and was voted a starter for the eighth time…has played in every All-Star game that has taken place during the 13 years she has been in the WNBA, Played in 31 games in 2017 missing the May 23 game vs. New York (suspension), July 16 game at Minnesota (rest) and August 24 game vs. Los Angeles (rest), Dished a season-high seven assists on August 10 at Dallas…10 games with four or more assists, four games with five or more assists, Recorded at least one assist in 29 of the 31 games she appeared in, Became the first player in WNBA history to achieve 7,000 career points, 1,500 rebounds and 1,500 assists on May 17 against Indiana, Led the league in made three-pointers with 96…seventh time she’s made 80 or more three-pointers in a season…eighth time in her 13-year career she has led league in three-point makes (no NBA player has ever led the league in made three-pointers more than five times…Steph Curry has most, leading NBA five straight seasons), Shot 38.4-percent (96-of-250) from the three-point line marking the 10th season she has shot 35-percent or better from beyond the arc…highest three-point percentage she has had since 2012 season (39.5-percent), Recorded at least one three-pointer in 29 of the 31 games she played in…made four or more three-pointers in 11 games…made six or more three-pointers in five games, Recorded nine 20+ point games and now owns a WNBA-record 200 for her career, Scored 30 or more points four times (37, June 1 at Chicago; 34, July 19 vs. Indiana; 21, July 25 at Atlanta; 33, August 4 at Connecticut) and now has a WNBA-record 44 30-point games in her career, Scored in double-figures 26 times including 18 straight from May 17 – July 25, Picked up one WNBA Player of the Week Award (June 4), giving her a total of 20 such awards in her career which is third-most in WNBA history (T. Charles-27, Catchings-22, L. Jackson-18), Ranked second on the team in scoring during the playoffs, averaging 17.6 ppg, her lowest scoring playoff average in her career…shot 35.3-percent from three-point range and 40.9-percent from the field during the playoffs…also averaged 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds, Her 12 three-pointers in the postseason increased her WNBA record for most career three-point field goals to 140, With the Mercury’s wins in the first and second round of the playoffs, Taurasi’s record in winner-take-all games (single elimination games, Game 3’s in best-of-three series and Game 5’s in best-of-five series) in the WNBA Playoffs improved to 11-0 during her WNBA career…now holds a 15-5 career record in elimination games in the WNBA Playoffs, including a 7-0 mark on the road, Averaged 17.8 points to lead the Mercury in scoring for the 11th time in her 12-year career…..finished seventh in the league in scoring, marking the 11th season she has finished in the top-ten in scoring average in the WNBA (2012 season was her only season outside the top-ten, missed 26 games due to injury)..highest scoring average since 2013, Became fastest player in WNBA history to reach 7,000 career points on June 24 at Washington, doing so in 348 games, Finished season as the third-leading scorer in WNBA history (7,311), trailing only Tamika Catchings (7,380) and Tina Thompson (7,488), both of whom are now retired, Named to All-WNBA Second Team for the second time in her career (nine-time First Team selection), Won her fourth Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the Rio Olympics, Played in 33 games missing only the July 16 game vs. San Antonio (suspension), Finished ninth in the league in assists per game with 3.9…eighth time in career she finished in top 10 in assists per game in league, One of only two players in the league to rank in the top nine in scoring and assists in 2016 (Maya Moore), Dished a season-high nine assists on May 31 vs. Connecticut…11 games with six or more assists, 15 games with five or more and 17 games with four or more, Recorded at least one assist in 31 of the 33 games she appeared in, Became only the second player in WNBA history to make 900 career three-pointers on September 18 at San Antonio…trails Katie Smith’s record for most career made three-pointers by six, Led the league in made three-pointers with 89…sixth time she’s made 80 or more three-pointers in a season..seventh time in her 12-year career she has led league in three-point makes (no NBA player has ever led the league in made three-pointers more than five times…Steph Curry has most, leading NBA five straight seasons), Shot 35-percent (89-of-252) from the three-point line marking the ninth season she has shot 35-percent or better from beyond the arc, Recorded 11 20+ point games and now owns a WNBA-record 191 for her career, Scored 30 points twice in back-to-back games (31, June 9 vs. San Antonio; 31, June 12 vs. Chicago) and now has a WNBA-record 40 30-point games in her career, Scored in double-figures 28 times including 17 straight from May 18 – July 9, Picked up one WNBA Player of the Week Award (June 27), giving her a total of 19 such awards in her career which is third-most in WNBA history (Catchings-22, T. Charles-20, L. Jackson-18), Led the team in points during the playoffs, averaging 23.6…..shot 43.2-percent from the three-point line and 51.5-percent from the field during the playoffs…..also averaged 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds and shot 97-pecent (32-of-33) from the free throw line, Her 23.6 ppg in playoffs was the most points she’s averaged in playoffs in career (seven playoff appearances), while her 97-percent free throw mark and 51.4-percent shooting mark were both playoff career highs as well, Moved into first place on the WNBA’s career list for most three-point field goals in WNBA Playoff history (128) after making 16 during 2016 playoffs…entered season tied with Becky Hammon at 112, Scored a playoff-high 30 points in an elimination game in Round 2 of playoffs at New York…knocked down four three-pointers in the game, Averaged 16.2 points to lead the Mercury in scoring for the second consecutive season and the 10th time in her 11-year career….. finished seventh in the league in scoring, marking the 10th season she has finished in the top-ten in scoring average in the WNBA (2012 season was her only season outside the top-ten, missed 26 games due to injury), Named to All-WNBA First Team for the ninth time in her career, Named to the WNBA All-Star team for the seventh time in her career…..scored four points in 17 minutes at the game played in Phoenix, Played in 33 games missing only the August 13 game at Atlanta (coach’s decision, rest), First player in WNBA history to lead the league in assists after having led the league in points in their career, Has averaged 5.9 assists over the last two seasons…..set a career-high with 6.2 assists per game in 2013 and averaged a WNBA-best 5.6 assists in 2014…..only two seasons in hercareer with more than 4.7 assists per game, Seventh season she has averaged in the topten in the WNBA in assists, Recorded a career-high 12 assists on June 20 vs. Tulsa, Shot 36.5-percent (62-of-170) from the threepoint line marking the eighth season she has shot better than 35-percent from beyond the three-point line, Recorded ten 20-point games and now owns a WNBA-record 180 for her career, Scored 30 points once (32, July 6 at Los Angeles) and now has a WNBA-record 38 30-point games in her career. 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