History of Diana Taurasi in Timeline
Diana Taurasi is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players of all time. Taurasi gained prominence during her college career at the University of Connecticut.
June 11, 1982: Diana Taurasi's Birth
On June 11, 1982, Diana Lorena Taurasi, a future American professional basketball player, was born. She is now widely considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time.
1999: Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year
In 1999, Diana Taurasi was recognized as the Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year.
July 2000: Gold Medal at FIBA Americas Championship
In July 2000, Diana Taurasi won a gold medal with the United States women's U18 team at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.
2000: Enrolled at the University of Connecticut
In 2000, Diana Taurasi enrolled at the University of Connecticut and began playing for the women's basketball team.
2000: Graduation from High School and Enrollment to UConn
In 2000, Diana Taurasi graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School and enrolled at the University of Connecticut.
2000: Cheryl Miller Award and National High School Player of the Year
In 2000, Diana Taurasi received the Cheryl Miller Award and was named the Naismith and "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year.
2001: Started playing for UConn
In 2001, Diana Taurasi began playing for the women's basketball team for the University of Connecticut, leading the team to three consecutive NCAA championships.
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.
2003: Naismith College Player of the Year and Wade Trophy
In 2003, Diana Taurasi received the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the Wade Trophy, and the Associated Press Player of the Year award.
2003: Phoenix Mercury's record
In the 2003 season, right before Diana joined them, the Phoenix Mercury went 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: Drafted by the Phoenix Mercury
Following her collegiate career, in 2004, Diana Taurasi was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
2004: Naismith College Player of the Year and Honda Sports Award
In 2004, Diana Taurasi secured the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the Honda Sports Award.
2004: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2004, Diana Taurasi was a member of the USA women's Olympic Basketball Team and won a gold medal.
2004: Drafted by Phoenix Mercury and WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
In 2004, Diana Taurasi was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
2004: Attended UConn
In 2004, Diana Taurasi was still attending the University of Connecticut.
2005: All Star Selection and Ankle Injury
In 2005, Diana Taurasi averaged 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while battling an ankle injury, and was also an All Star for the second straight year.
2005: Taurasi joins Dynamo Moscow
In 2005, Diana Taurasi began her international career playing for Dynamo Moscow, a team in the Russian league.
2005: Earned bachelor's degree from UConn
In 2005, Diana Taurasi earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and considered it a major accomplishment.
2006: Inducted into the University of Connecticut "Huskies of Honor"
In 2006, Diana Taurasi was inducted into the inaugural class of the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.
2006: Taurasi Recruited to Spartak Moscow
In 2006, Diana Taurasi was recruited to play for the Russian team Spartak Moscow, marking a significant move in her international career.
2006: 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 team earned the bronze medal.
2006: Addition of Paul Westhead and Cappie Pondexter
Prior to the 2006 season, Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach and Cappie Pondexter was drafted, forming a "Big 3" with Taurasi and Penny Taylor.
2006: Historic Season and Scoring Records
The 2006 season was historic for Diana Taurasi as she led the league in scoring, earned a third All-Star Game trip, and broke Katie Smith's league record for points in a season with 741. She averaged a WNBA record 25.3 points per game and set records for three-pointers made in a single season with 121.
2007: EuroLeague Championship with Spartak Moscow
In 2007, Diana Taurasi and Spartak Moscow began a streak of four consecutive EuroLeague championships.
2007: First WNBA Championship
In 2007, Diana Taurasi won her first WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury.
2008: Gold Medal at 2008 Summer Olympics
In 2008, Diana Taurasi started all eight games and helped lead the US to the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
2008: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Diana Taurasi won an Olympic gold medal.
July 2, 2009: Arrested for DUI
On July 2, 2009, Diana Taurasi was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
October 29, 2009: Pleaded guilty to DUI and spent a day in jail
On October 29, 2009, Diana Taurasi pleaded guilty to the DUI charge and served one day in jail after the judge suspended nine days of her sentence.
2009: Euroleague Final Four MVP
In 2009, Diana Taurasi was named Euroleague Final Four MVP.
2009: WNBA MVP and Championship
In 2009, Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA MVP and led the Phoenix Mercury to its second WNBA championship, earning the WNBA Finals MVP award.
2009: WNBA Championship and MVP
In 2009, Diana Taurasi won the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award and her second WNBA championship. She was also named WNBA Finals MVP.
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.
October 2010: Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship for Women
In October 2010, Diana Taurasi and the U.S. national team won the FIBA World Championship for Women held in the Czech Republic, securing the gold medal.
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.
2010: Candice Dupree Traded to Mercury
In 2010, Candice Dupree was traded to the Phoenix Mercury, becoming part of the supporting cast for Diana Taurasi.
2010: Participated in 2010 FIBA World Championship
In 2010, Diana Taurasi participated in 2010 FIBA World Championship.
2010: Euroleague Final Four MVP
In 2010, Diana Taurasi was named Euroleague Final Four MVP.
February 16, 2011: Taurasi Cleared of Doping Allegations
On February 16, 2011, Diana Taurasi was cleared of doping allegations, allowing her to rejoin her Istanbul team after the retraction of the Turkish laboratory's findings.
2011: Taurasi plays for Galatasaray
In 2011, Diana Taurasi played for Galatasaray, a major team from Istanbul.
2011: WNBA Top 15 Players Selection
In 2011, Diana Taurasi was selected to her 7th All-WNBA First Team and voted one of the Top 15 players in the fifteen-year history of the WNBA by fans.
May 16, 2012: Taurasi Signs 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 experienced an injury-riddled season, playing only eight games due to a strained left hip flexor, impacting the Mercury's performance.
2012: Participated in 2012 Olympics
In 2012, Diana Taurasi participated in 2012 Olympics.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Diana Taurasi secured another Olympic gold medal.
2012: Galatasaray losses in League Final
In 2012, Galatasaray lost to Fenerbahçe in the League Final and was eliminated in the EuroLeague quarter-final.
2013: Brittney Griner Drafted
In 2013, Brittney Griner was drafted first overall and joined Diana Taurasi on the Phoenix Mercury.
2013: Return from Injury and Playoff Run
In 2013, Diana Taurasi returned from injury, played 32 games, and led the Mercury to the conference finals after defeating the Los Angeles Sparks.
2013: UMMC Wins Russian Championship and Cup
In 2013, the UMMC team won the Russian Championship and Cup but fell short in Euroleague competition.
2014: Third WNBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2014, Diana Taurasi secured her third WNBA championship and earned her second WNBA Finals MVP Award.
2014: Taurasi Signs Endorsement Deal with Nike
In 2014, Diana Taurasi signed an endorsement deal with Nike, marking a significant partnership in her career.
2014: UMMC Wins Russian Championship and Cup
In 2014, the UMMC team won the Russian Championship and Cup but fell short in Euroleague competition.
2014: WNBA Salary
In the 2014 WNBA season, Diana Taurasi made just under the league maximum of $107,000.
February 3, 2015: Announcement to Sit Out WNBA Season
On February 3, 2015, Diana Taurasi announced she would sit out the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for a higher salary.
2015: UMMC Loses Euroleague Final
In 2015, UMMC lost in the Euroleague final against Czech's USK Praha, with Diana Taurasi sitting out due to a broken hand.
2015: UMMC Offers Deal to Skip WNBA Season
In 2015, UMMC offered Diana Taurasi a deal to skip her 2015 WNBA season to rest, influenced by her injury and the Euroleague final loss.
2016: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Diana Taurasi earned her fourth gold medal at the Rio Olympics, helping the United States overcome Spain in the final.
2016: Taurasi leads UMMC to Euroleague title
In 2016, Diana Taurasi led UMMC to its third Euroleague title, earning MVP honors.
2016: Taurasi Returns to UMMC
In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to UMMC, helping the team to its eleventh league championship.
2016: Return to Mercury and Playoff Performance
In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to the Mercury, helped them reach the playoffs, and became the all-time WNBA leader in playoff career three-pointers made.
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.
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.
May 2017: Contract Extension and Scoring Milestone
In May 2017, Diana Taurasi signed a multi-year contract extension with the Mercury and 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 Retires from European Competition
In December 2017, Diana Taurasi announced her retirement from European competition.
March 1, 2018: Birth of Taurasi and Taylor's Son
On March 1, 2018, Penny Taylor gave birth to the couple's son, marking a significant milestone in their personal lives.
May 18, 2018: First Player to Make 1,000 3-Pointers
On May 18, 2018, Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to make 1,000 3-pointers, in a game against the Dallas Wings.
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 a game 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, surpassing Tina Thompson, in a game against the Connecticut Sun.
August 1, 2018: Season-High 37 Points
On August 1, 2018, Diana Taurasi scored a season-high 37 points in a game against the Las Vegas Aces.
2018: Expected to play through 2018 season
In 2018, Taurasi was expected to play through the end of the 2017–2018 season with the team
April 2019: Wife Hired as Assistant Coach
In April 2019, the Mercury announced that Diana Taurasi's wife, Penny Taylor, had been hired as an assistant coach.
September 2019: Confirmed Intention to Play in 2020
In September 2019, Diana Taurasi confirmed that she intended to play for the Mercury in 2020.
2019: Injury-Plagued Season
In 2019, Diana Taurasi's season was plagued by injuries, limiting her to only 6 games played.
August 23, 2020: Taurasi Scores Season-High 34 Points Honoring Kobe Bryant
On August 23, 2020, Diana Taurasi scored a season-high 34 points in a victory over the Washington Mystics. She honored Kobe Bryant on his birthday by wearing number 8 along with his last name on her jersey.
2020: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2020, Diana Taurasi won an Olympic gold medal.
2020: Intention to Play for Mercury
In September 2019, Taurasi confirmed her intentions 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 2-year deal, continuing her career with the team.
October 6, 2021: Taylor's Expected Due Date
On October 6, 2021, Taylor was expected to give birth to the couple's second child.
October 8, 2021: Taurasi plays in Game 5 after Game 4 loss
On October 8, 2021, shortly before the birth of her daughter Taurasi led her team to a 87-84 Game 5 win making her 16-2 overall in win or take all games with 24 points.
2021: WNBA's Greatest Player of All Time
In 2021, Diana Taurasi was selected by fans as the WNBA's greatest player of all time.
August 2023: Taurasi Reaches 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.
October 1, 2024: Release of Signature Sneaker
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: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2024, Diana Taurasi added another Olympic gold medal to her accomplishments.
2024: Stats current through end of 2024 season
In 2024, Stats current through end of season.
