Mercury legend Diana Taurasi says goodbye after storied 20-year career
Taurasi to be inducted into Mercury Ring of Honor summer 2026
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi gave her final farewell Thursday after a legendary career, paving the way for many female basketball athletes.
Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and all-time leading scorer, announced her retirement last month after spending 20 seasons with the Mercury. She is regarded among many players and athletes across the globe as one of the greatest to play the game.
Adding to Taurasi’s list of accolades, she is also an 11-time All-Star and six-time Olympic gold medalist. Only Sue Bird played more games, but Taurasi is the only player in WNBA history to score over 10,000 career points.
To cap off her career, Taurasi will be inducted into the Mercury Ring of Honor in summer 2026.
“Diana is the greatest of all time. What she has done over the last 20 years is truly remarkable,” said Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia. “From championships to MVPs to gold medals, she is one of the most decorated athletes of all time and we’re excited to celebrate all she’s done for the sport, the franchise and our city with her induction into our Ring of Honor.”
She will have her iconic No. 3 retired, forever hanging in the rafters and engrained in Mercury history.
Mercury President Vince Kozar called the Mercury legend “the greatest athlete in Arizona history.”
“We are where we are today – this organization, league and our game – because of Diana Taurasi,” Kozar said in a statement.
“Her impact is inspirational because it has inspired so many generations. If you talk about her as a person and a player, it’s the total package. It’s everything you’d want. There are some crazy players that are crazy talented. Some players who have swag or charisma. Some players that have personality. Some players are leaders. Some are winners. Some have a positive impact on their teammates and raise their level of play. Diana had it all,” Bird said on “A Touch More” podcast.
Taurasi joins Jennifer Gillom, Cheryl Miller, Bridget Pettis, Michele Timms and her wife, Penny Taylor, in the Mercury’s Ring of Honor.
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