History of Diana Taurasi in Timeline
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.
June 11, 1982: Diana Taurasi's birth
On June 11, 1982, Diana Lorena Taurasi was born. She would later become a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and is widely regarded as one of the greatest women's basketball players.
1999: Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year
In 1999, Diana Taurasi was recognized as the Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year.
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.
2000: Graduation from High School
In 2000, Diana Taurasi graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School and enrolled at the University of Connecticut.
2000: Gold Medal at FIBA Americas Championship
In 2000, Diana Taurasi, as a member of the United States women's U18 team, won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. She also won a gold medal as a member of the 2000 U.S. Women's junior World Championship qualifying team.
2001: Bronze Medal at U.S. Junior World Championship
In 2001, Diana Taurasi earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. junior World Championship team.
2001: Final Four loss
In 2001, after a poor shooting performance in UConn's Final Four loss to Notre Dame, Taurasi vowed, "We will not lose another tournament game while I'm wearing this uniform." They proceeded to win three straight national titles.
2003: College Player of the Year Awards
In 2003, Diana Taurasi received the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the Wade Trophy, the Honda Sports Award, and the Associated Press Player of the Year award.
2003: Phoenix Mercury's record
In 2003, the Phoenix Mercury had a record of 8-26.
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: Attended at the University of Connecticut
In 2004, Diana Taurasi continued to attended at the University of Connecticut
2004: Naismith College Player of the Year Award
In 2004, Diana Taurasi received the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the Honda Sports Award.
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: Earns Bachelor's Degree
In 2005, Diana Taurasi earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, emphasizing its importance to her.
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: Inducted into Huskies of Honor
In 2006, Diana Taurasi was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.
2006: Recruited by Spartak Moscow
In 2006, Diana Taurasi was recruited to play for Spartak Moscow after Shabtai von Kalmanovich bought the team.
2006: Earns Bronze Medal at FIBA World Championship
In 2006, Diana Taurasi was the second leading scorer on the U.S. national basketball team at the FIBA World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil, where the Americans earned the bronze medal.
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: Wins Gold Medal at Beijing Summer Games
In 2008, Diana Taurasi represented the United States at the Summer Games in Beijing, China, starting all eight games and helping lead the U.S. to the gold medal.
2008: Second WNBA Scoring Title
In 2008, Diana Taurasi won her second WNBA scoring title.
July 2, 2009: Arrested for Driving Under the Influence
On July 2, 2009, Diana Taurasi was arrested for driving under the influence.
2009: Named Final Four MVP
In 2009, Diana Taurasi was named Final Four MVP while playing for Spartak Moscow.
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.
December 24, 2010: Taurasi Tests Positive for Banned Stimulant
On December 24, 2010, it was revealed that Diana Taurasi had tested positive for a mild stimulant, leading to a provisional suspension from the Turkish league pending testing of the "B" sample.
2010: Named Final Four MVP again
In 2010, Diana Taurasi was named Final Four MVP for the second consecutive year while playing for Spartak Moscow.
2010: Named to National Team for World Championships
In 2010, Diana Taurasi was named as one of the national team members to represent the U.S. in the WNBA versus USA Basketball game and was then selected for the World Championships, where the team won the championship and gold medal.
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.
February 16, 2011: Cleared of Doping Allegations
On February 16, 2011, Diana Taurasi was cleared of doping allegations after the test was found to be a false positive.
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.
2011: WNBA Top 15 Players of All Time
In 2011, Diana Taurasi was voted by fans as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time.
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: Injury-Riddled Season
In 2012, Diana Taurasi had an injury-riddled season, playing only eight games due to a strained left hip flexor, and the Mercury finished the season with a poor record.
2012: Selected for the Olympics
In 2012, Diana Taurasi was selected to participate at the Olympics.
2012: Wins Third Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Diana Taurasi won her third gold medal as the United States defeated France for the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
2012: Galatasaray's Season Outcome
In 2012, Diana Taurasi's team, Galatasaray, won the Turkish Cup but lost to Fenerbahçe in the League Final and was eliminated in the EuroLeague quarter-final.
2013: UMMC Wins EuroLeague, Russian Championship and Cup
In 2013, Diana Taurasi and UMMC Ekaterinburg dominated, winning the EuroLeague, Russian Championships, and Russian Cup.
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: UMMC repeated Russian Championship and Cup Win
In 2014, UMMC Ekaterinburg repeated their Russian Championship and Cup win, but lost in the EuroLeague Semifinal game
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 Back to UMMC, Leads Team to Euroleague Title
In 2015, Diana Taurasi returned to UMMC, leading the team to its third Euroleague title and earning MVP honors.
2015: UMMC lost EuroLeague final game against USK Praha
In 2015, UMMC Ekaterinburg lost in the EuroLeague final game against USK Praha due to Diana Taurasi sitting out with a broken hand
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: Wins Fourth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Diana Taurasi played at the Olympics in Rio, earning her fourth gold medal while helping the United States overcome Spain 101–72 in the final.
2016: Taurasi Helps UMMC to Eleventh League Championship
In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to UMMC, helping the team to its eleventh league championship.
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.
2016: WNBA Top 20@20
In 2016, Diana Taurasi was named to the WNBA Top 20@20, celebrating the league's 20th anniversary.
May 13, 2017: Taurasi Marries Penny Taylor
On May 13, 2017, Diana Taurasi married her former teammate Penny Taylor, who was the Phoenix Mercury Director of Player Development and Performance at the time, after eight years of dating.
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.
March 1, 2018: Birth of First Child
On March 1, 2018, Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor welcomed their first child, a son.
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.
2020: Wins Fifth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2020, Diana Taurasi won her fifth Olympic gold medal as a key member of the U.S. women's Olympic team in Tokyo, joining Sue Bird as the only two Olympic basketball players of any gender to win five Olympic gold medals.
2020: Intention to play in 2020
In September 2019, Diana Taurasi confirmed that she intended to play for the team in 2020.
February 2021: Taurasi Re-signs with Mercury
In February 2021, Diana Taurasi re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury on a two-year deal.
October 6, 2021: Expected Birth of Second Child
On October 6, 2021, Penny Taylor was expected to give birth to the couple's second child, but the pregnancy lasted beyond the due date.
October 8, 2021: Game 5 Win and Message to Taylor
On October 8, 2021, after a Game 5 win that decided whether the Phoenix Mercury would play in the WNBA finals, Diana Taurasi sent a message to Penny Taylor in her post-game interview, closing with "Hold it in babe, I'm coming."
2021: The W25 and Greatest Player of All Time
In 2021, Diana Taurasi was named to The W25, the WNBA's 25th-anniversary team, and fans selected her as the league's greatest player of all time.
August 2023: First WNBA player to score 10,000 career points
In August 2023, Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 career points, marking a significant milestone in her career.
October 1, 2024: Signature Sneaker Release
On October 1, 2024, Diana Taurasi is set to release her signature sneaker, the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen AMPD PE, in collaboration with LeBron James.
2024: Sixth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2024, Diana Taurasi won her sixth Olympic gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team.
2025: Taurasi's Retirement
In 2025, at the age of 42, Diana Taurasi retired from professional basketball.
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