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In recent years, Diana Taurasi has faced the same inquiry in various forms: When would she retire from basketball? As she continues to play into her 40s, fans and commentators have speculated about when she’d finally hang up her sneakers.

In true Taurasi fashion, she has consistently addressed these questions with her signature humor and sharp wit. She indicated that she would retire when she felt it was time, leaving everyone else to wait for the announcement.

During the Olympics this summer, where she earned a spot on her sixth Team USA roster, she was again asked about retirement. “Only a woman would have 20 years of experience,” she remarked, “and it’s viewed as an Achilles’ heel rather than a prized asset.”

Her responses carried a genuine tone, revealing that while retirement was on her mind, it wasn’t her immediate priority. Yet, she acknowledged the realities of aging; in recent years, she adjusted her diet and recovery strategies, openly stating that the effort required to continue playing felt like just that—work. However, her passion for the game remained unparalleled.

Her love for basketball shone through clearly every time she stepped onto the court.

Despite the intensity and competitive spirit she embodied, few players radiated as much delight as Taurasi. Even in her 22nd season, she exuded excitement during warm-ups, eagerly greeting teammates and coaches as if it were a ritual. From her distinctive bun to her knee-length shorts—styles she has long since made her own—she often resembled the enthusiastic California kid who stepped onto the court in Storrs, Connecticut, back in 2000.

It was during this time that many first became familiar with Taurasi, and now, 25 years later, it is officially time to bid farewell to Taurasi as a player.

This Tuesday afternoon, just as many were clocking out from work, Taurasi announced her retirement. An email with heartfelt quotes was sent to media outlets, Time published a feature, and plans were made for her appearance on “The View,” a popular ABC talk show.

This sequence of events was classic Taurasi—anticipated yet uniquely crafted, understated yet conspicuous, and tinged with her characteristic humor. On the court, she often played the game with a sly grin, perceiving moves ahead of others in the game.

In the Time interview, she shared that she first realized she was ready to retire on New Year’s Day. “I feel mentally and physically full,” she stated. “That’s probably the best way to explain it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

Few athletes have experienced as fulfilling a career as Taurasi. Her achievements include three WNBA championships, six Olympic gold medals, three NCAA titles, and six EuroLeague championships. She was the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 points—and perhaps the first to accumulate 122 technical fouls. Alongside these milestones were individual awards, WNBA All-Star selections, and an MVP season.

As the top draft pick in 2004, Taurasi earned $40,800 during her rookie season. She leaves a league that has secured a groundbreaking $2 billion media rights agreement and is poised for significant advancements through an upcoming collective bargaining agreement.

Her influence has played a key role in nurturing this growth through her performance and the heightened visibility she brought to women’s basketball. Her fierce competitiveness captured the hearts of many fans. Even those who faced her on the court often ended up admiring her tenacity and style.

“There were times when I wanted to fight her,” recalled Aces coach Becky Hammon, who played against Taurasi for a decade and has coached against her since 2022. “But then she’d casually say, ‘Wanna grab a beer?’” Three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum shared a moment from her rookie season when Taurasi greeted her during a stoppage in play, “Hey Plummy, good to see you,” before elbowing her on the way to the basket and winking afterward. There was also that memorable moment in a 2022 game between the Storm and the Mercury, where Taurasi and her close friend Sue Bird (in Bird’s final season) exchanged playful banter following a jump ball call.

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The prospect of a WNBA season without Taurasi feels incredibly surreal. She has been a constant presence since the league’s inception. In fact, many players drafted this year were born just before Taurasi’s debut in Phoenix. Her performance motivated countless young athletes to take up the sport—including some who have gone on to compete against her professionally. Moreover, her likeness is often believed to be represented in the WNBA logo, though this has never been confirmed; marketing representatives assert otherwise.

However, hints of this moment have been evident for a while. Ahead of her final home game last season, the Mercury launched merchandise bearing the phrase, “If this is it.” There was a tribute video, and while she may not have recognized it as the end, there was a lingering sense that it was imminent. Additionally, this offseason saw her long-time teammate and close friend Brittney Griner sign with the Atlanta Dream, hinting at a significant shift in the team dynamic—something that would be unlikely if Taurasi intended to play another season.

Her retirement feels especially poignant, arriving amid a wave of other WNBA legends who have also stepped away from the game in recent seasons—including Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, and Candace Parker. Now, Taurasi joins that esteemed group. The league is transitioning into a new generation of talent that continues to build upon the legacies established by icons like Taurasi. Although these retired athletes may not witness the fruits of their labors as the game advances, they played an integral role in laying the groundwork.

Just as Taurasi said, she departs feeling fulfilled and content. After a career filled with triumphs, challenges, and more than a few injuries, concluding on her own terms is a victory in itself. This fitting culmination captures her essence perfectly.

In her inaugural season within the WNBA, Taurasi earned a spot on the 2004 Olympic roster as the youngest team member. Seeking guidance, she approached then-coach Van Chancellor, who advised her to embrace her rookie role, to which she readily complied. However, during her opening Olympic game, she hilariously arrived in mismatched footwear—showing she was still very much a rookie in spirit, a blunder that might have grounded most players but only added to her charm.

In her final WNBA season, she welcomed promising rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, part of a new wave of talent that enjoys opportunities partly due to Taurasi’s efforts in advancing the sport. In her last game, fittingly, she fouled out—a moment that felt emblematic of her storied career.

While she will miss the camaraderie and the thrill of competition, the league and her peers will undoubtedly feel her absence too. Taurasi looks forward to spending quality time with her wife, Penny, and taking their two kids to school. The long hours of preparing her mind and body for a grueling season are behind her. Life this summer will bring unprecedented changes, but after 20 years in a professional sports league, she is ready to embrace whatever comes next.

The challenge of saying goodbye, especially for someone of Taurasi’s caliber and competitive nature, is often the most difficult part of retirement. Nevertheless, true to her career, she crafted a farewell that, while expected, still caught many by surprise. Her exit is reminiscent of her playing style; it’s like her final nudge toward the competition—always a touch of mischief, just like Diana.

(Photo: David Sherman / NBAE via Getty Images)

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