Diana Taurasi
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Diana Taurasi

WNBA Superstar

b. June 11, 1982

“We will not lose another tournament game while I’m wearing this uniform.”

Diana Taurasi is a 10-time WNBA All-Star, a four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, and a six-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist. In 2021, as part of the 25th anniversary of the of the WNBA, fans voted her the GOAT—the greatest player of all time.

Born in Glendale, California, Taurasi is the daughter of Argentinian and Italian immigrants. She grew up speaking Spanish at home. Taurasi’s father played professional soccer in Italy.

Taurasi attended high school in Chico, California, where she led the girls’ basketball team. Before she graduated in 2000, she received the Cheryl Miller Award for best player in Southern California. She was named the Naismith and Parade magazine National High School Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the WBCA High School All-America game. 

Taurasi attended the University of Connecticut (UCONN), joining the school’s top-ranked team. One of the most dominant players in the history of women’s college basketball, she became UCONN’s first two-time National Player of the Year. During her tenure, Taurasi steered the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA championships and a 139-8 record, with a personal total of 2,000 points. Her accolades included two Naismith College Player of the Year Awards and an Associated Press Player of the Year Award. When she graduated from UCONN in 2004, she was the first person in her family to earn a college degree. She said it meant as much to her as winning any game or medal. 

The first overall 2004 WNBA pick, Taurasi was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and won Rookie of the Year her first season. She completed her 20th season with the team in 2024. 

With the Mercury, Taurasi has won three WNBA titles, two Finals MVP Awards, and an WNBA MVP Award. She counts six ESPYs among her numerous other honors. A leading record holder, she has scored over 10,000 career points—the most in WNBA history.

On the world stage, Taurasi has represented the United States with distinction. She is the second-most decorated International Basketball Federation (FIBA) athlete on earth. In addition to her six Olympic gold medals, Taurasi has captured the gold in three FIBA World Cups and a FIBA Americas Championship, along with other trophies. 

Taurasi identifies as a lesbian. She married her former teammate, Penny Taylor, in 2017, after eight years together. They are the parents of a son and daughter.