Career Timeline of Diana Taurasi: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Diana Taurasi built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Diana Taurasi is a celebrated American former professional basketball player, renowned as one of the greatest in WNBA history. She spent her entire 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi gained prominence during her college years at the University of Connecticut, where she led the team to an impressive three consecutive NCAA championships, solidifying her legacy in women's basketball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Enrolled at the University of Connecticut

In 2000, Diana Taurasi enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and began playing for the women's basketball team.

May 12, 2004: Selected for 2004 Olympics

On May 12, 2004, Diana Taurasi was selected to compete at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, with the United States national team.

2004: Drafted into the WNBA and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Diana Taurasi was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA draft and was named the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She also won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team in 2004.

2004: WNBA Draft and Rookie Season

In 2004, Diana Taurasi was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, and she scored 22 points in her debut against the Sacramento Monarchs. She was also named to the Western Conference All-Star team and won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

2005: Taurasi Joins Dynamo Moscow

In 2005, Diana Taurasi began her international career by playing for Dynamo Moscow; however, the team was eliminated in the EuroLeague quarter-finals.

2005: Second All-Star Selection and Ankle Injury

In 2005, Diana Taurasi was an All-Star for the second straight year while averaging 16.0 points per game, but she battled an ankle injury and the Mercury missed the playoffs.

2006: Recruited by Spartak Moscow

In 2006, Diana Taurasi was recruited to play for Spartak Moscow after Shabtai von Kalmanovich bought the team.

2006: First WNBA Scoring Title

In 2006, Diana Taurasi won her first WNBA scoring title.

2006: Record-Breaking Season and Scoring Title

In 2006, under coach Paul Westhead, Diana Taurasi had a historic season, leading the league in scoring, earning a third All-Star Game selection, and breaking Katie Smith's league record for points in a season with 741 points. She also set a WNBA record with 121 three-pointers in a single season, averaging a WNBA record 25.3 points per game.

2007: EuroLeague Championship Win

In 2007, Diana Taurasi and Spartak Moscow won the first of four consecutive EuroLeague championships.

2007: First WNBA Playoffs and Championship

In 2007, Diana Taurasi reached the WNBA playoffs for the first time and led the Phoenix Mercury to their first WNBA title. With this victory, she became the seventh player to win an NCAA title, a WNBA title, and an Olympic gold medal.

2007: First WNBA Championship

In 2007, Diana Taurasi won her first WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury.

2008: Second WNBA Scoring Title

In 2008, Diana Taurasi won her second WNBA scoring title.

2009: WNBA MVP and Finals MVP

In 2009, Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won her second WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury, also earning the WNBA Finals MVP Award.

2009: WNBA MVP and Second Championship

In the 2009 season, Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA MVP and led the Phoenix Mercury to their second WNBA championship, earning the WNBA Finals MVP award. She became the second player to win the scoring title, MVP award, WNBA Championship, and Finals MVP in the same season.

2009: Invited to USA Basketball Training Camp

In the fall of 2009, Diana Taurasi was invited to the USA Basketball women's national team training camp.

2010: Selected for FIBA World Championship

In 2010, Diana Taurasi was selected to participate at the FIBA World Championship.

2010: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2010, Diana Taurasi won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup as a member of the U.S. national team.

2011: Taurasi Joins Galatasaray

In 2011, Diana Taurasi joined Galatasaray, a major team from Istanbul and Fenerbahçe's long-time rival, playing alongside WNBA stars.

2011: WNBA Top 15 Selection

In 2011, Diana Taurasi was selected to her seventh All-WNBA First Team and was voted one of the Top 15 players in the fifteen-year history of the WNBA by fans.

May 16, 2012: Signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg

On May 16, 2012, Diana Taurasi signed a contract with UMMC Ekaterinburg, joining fellow WNBA star Candace Parker.

2012: Selected for the Olympics

In 2012, Diana Taurasi was selected to participate at the Olympics.

2013: Return from Injury

In 2013, Diana Taurasi returned healthy, played 32 games, and averaged over 20 points per game for the sixth time in her career. The Mercury finished third in the Western Conference.

2014: WNBA Salary in 2014

For the 2014 WNBA season, Diana Taurasi made just under the league maximum of $107,000.

2014: Signed Endorsement Deal with Nike

In 2014, Diana Taurasi signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

2014: Third WNBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2014, Diana Taurasi won her third WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury, and she was named the WNBA Finals MVP for the second time.

2014: Third WNBA Championship

In the 2014 season, Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury finished with a 29–5 record and earned her third WNBA championship. Taurasi also won the WNBA Finals MVP for the second time in her career.

February 3, 2015: Sitting out 2015 WNBA season

On February 3, 2015, Diana Taurasi announced that she would sit out the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for a higher salary.

2015: Taurasi Offered Deal to Skip 2015 WNBA Season

In 2015, UMMC offered Diana Taurasi a deal to skip the 2015 WNBA season to rest due to injury and the resulting EuroLeague final loss.

2016: Taurasi Returns to Phoenix Mercury

In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to the Phoenix Mercury after accepting a deal to skip the 2015 WNBA season, causing debate about salary policies.

2016: Return to the Mercury and Playoff Run

In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to the Phoenix Mercury, helping them reach the playoffs. She surpassed Becky Hammon as the all-time WNBA leader in playoff career three-pointers made and scored a game-high 30 points in the second-round elimination game.

May 2017: Contract Extension and Scoring Milestone

In May 2017, Diana Taurasi signed a multi-year contract extension with the Phoenix Mercury. Later that month, she became the first player in league history to reach 7,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 1,500 assists.

June 18, 2017: WNBA All-Time Leading Scorer

On June 18, 2017, Diana Taurasi became the WNBA's all-time leading scorer.

December 2017: Taurasi Announces Retirement from European Competition

In December 2017, Diana Taurasi announced her retirement from European competition, though she was expected to play through the end of the 2017-2018 season with UMMC.

May 18, 2018: First Player to Make 1,000 3-Pointers

On May 18, 2018, against the Dallas Wings, Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to make 1,000 3-pointers.

June 5, 2018: First Player to Score 8,000 Points

On June 5, 2018, Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 8,000 points in an 80–74 victory against the Liberty.

July 8, 2018: All-Time Leader in Field Goals Made

On July 8, 2018, Diana Taurasi became the league's all-time leader in field goals made in an 84–77 victory against the Connecticut Sun, surpassing Tina Thompson.

August 1, 2018: Season-High 37 Points

On August 1, 2018, Diana Taurasi scored a season-high 37 points in a 104–93 victory against the Las Vegas Aces.

2018: Expected to play through the end of 2018 season with UMMC

Although Diana Taurasi announced her retirement from European competition in December 2017, she was expected to play through the end of the 2017-2018 season with UMMC.

2018: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2018, Diana Taurasi won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup as a member of the U.S. national team.

April 2019: Penny Taylor Hired as Assistant Coach

In April 2019, the Phoenix Mercury announced that Diana Taurasi's wife, Penny Taylor, had been hired as an assistant coach.

September 2019: Intention to play in 2020

In September 2019, Diana Taurasi confirmed that she intended to play for the team in 2020.

August 23, 2020: Season-High 34 Points while Honoring Kobe Bryant

On August 23, 2020, Diana Taurasi scored a season-high 34 points in an 88–87 victory over the Washington Mystics. She honored the late Kobe Bryant on his birthday by wearing number 8 along with his last name on her jersey.