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 an American former professional basketball player, celebrated as one of the greatest in WNBA history. She played 20 seasons for the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi gained prominence playing college basketball for the University of Connecticut, where she led the team to three consecutive NCAA championships.

Sections (4)

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

1999: Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year

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

2000: High School Graduation and Awards

In 2000, Diana Taurasi graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School and received the Cheryl Miller Award, was named Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year, and the Naismith and "Parade Magazine" National High School Player of the Year.

2000: Taurasi wins gold medal at FIBA Americas Championship

In 2000, Diana Taurasi was a member of the United States women's U18 team that won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. She averaged 12.6 points per game and led the team with 5.46 assists per game.

2003: Received Personal Accolades at UConn

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 while playing at UConn.

2004: Received Naismith College Player of the Year Award and Honda Sports Award

In 2004, Diana Taurasi received the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the Honda Sports Award.

2004: Drafted to Phoenix Mercury and Olympic Gold Medal

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

2004: WNBA Debut

In 2004, Diana Taurasi was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury and scored 22 points in her WNBA 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: Second All-Star Selection

In 2005, Diana Taurasi averaged 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while battling an ankle injury and was selected as an All-Star for the second straight year. However, the Mercury missed the playoffs.

2006: Inducted into University of Connecticut Women's Basketball "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: Won First Scoring Title

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

2006: Historic Season and Scoring Records

In 2006, under coach Paul Westhead, Diana Taurasi had a historic season, leading the league in scoring. She broke Katie Smith's league record for points in a season with 741 points, averaged a WNBA record 25.3 points per game, and set a WNBA record with 121 three-pointers in a single season. She also scored a then-league record 47 points in a triple-overtime victory against the Houston Comets, making a then-WNBA record eight three-pointers during the game. Despite her performance, the Mercury missed the playoffs.

2007: Won First WNBA Championship

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

2007: Spartak Moscow wins EuroLeague championship

In 2007, Spartak Moscow won the EuroLeague championship.

2008: Taurasi wins gold medal at the Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Diana Taurasi represented the United States at the Summer Games in Beijing, China, where she started all eight games and helped lead the U.S. to the gold medal.

2008: Won Second Scoring Title

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

2009: Taurasi named Final Four MVP

In 2009, Diana Taurasi was named the Final Four MVP for EuroLeague.

2009: Won WNBA MVP and Championship

In 2009, Diana Taurasi won the WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and led the Phoenix Mercury to their second WNBA championship, also winning the WNBA Finals MVP Award.

2009: Named WNBA MVP and Won Second Championship

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

2010: Taurasi wins gold medal at FIBA World Championships

In 2010, Diana Taurasi was a member of the U.S. national team that won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championships. Taurasi led the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game.

2010: Taurasi named Final Four MVP again

In 2010, Diana Taurasi was named the Final Four MVP for EuroLeague for the second consecutive year.

2010: Won FIBA World Cup

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

February 16, 2011: Taurasi 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: Named one of WNBA's 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.

2011: Named one of the Top 15 players in WNBA History

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

2012: Taurasi wins third Olympic gold medal

In 2012, Diana Taurasi won her third Olympic gold medal as the United States defeated France in the final.

2013: Return from Injury

In 2013, Diana Taurasi returned healthy for the season, playing 32 games and averaging over 20 points per game for the sixth time in her career. The Mercury finished third in the Western Conference and advanced to the conference finals but lost to the Minnesota Lynx.

2013: UMMC wins EuroLeague, Russian Championships and Russian Cup

In 2013, UMMC Ekaterinburg won the EuroLeague, Russian Championships, and Russian Cup.

2014: Won Third WNBA Championship

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

2014: UMMC repeats Russian Championship and Cup win

In 2014, the UMMC team repeated their Russian Championship and Cup win.

2014: Won Third WNBA Championship and Finals MVP

In the 2014 season, Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury finished with a record of 29–5, setting the record for most wins in a regular season. They swept the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Finals, and Taurasi won her third championship and second WNBA Finals MVP.

2015: Taurasi leads UMMC to its third Euroleague title

In 2015, Diana Taurasi led UMMC to its third Euroleague title and earned MVP honors.

2016: Taurasi 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 in the final.

2016: Taurasi helps UMMC to its eleventh league championship

In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to UMMC, helping the team to its eleventh league championship.

2016: Returned to the Mercury and advanced to the semi-finals

In 2016, Diana Taurasi returned to the Mercury, helping them reach the playoffs with a 16-18 record. The Mercury advanced to the semi-finals, where they were swept by the Minnesota Lynx. During the first-round game, Taurasi made her 113th playoff career three-pointer, passing Becky Hammon as the all-time WNBA leader.

2016: Named to WNBA Top 20@20

In 2016, Diana Taurasi was named to the WNBA Top 20@20 team, celebrating the league's 20th anniversary.

May 2017: Signed Contract Extension and Reached Milestones

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. Later, on June 18, she became the WNBA's all-time leading scorer.