Diana Taurasi's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Diana Taurasi. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

1999: Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year

In 1999, Diana Taurasi was recognized as the Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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 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.

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: 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.

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.