Taurasi, Diana (1982-…), an American basketball star, ranks among the greatest players in the history of women’s basketball. Taurasi, a guard, is known for her leadership, her skill as a playmaker, and her scoring ability.
Taurasi has succeeded at every level of women’s basketball. While attending the University of Connecticut, she led her team to three consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships from 2002 through 2004. As a professional player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), she helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to league titles in 2007, 2009, and 2014. She was also WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2004 and Most Valuable Player in the league in 2009. In 2017, Taurasi became the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, breaking Tina Thompson’s career record of 7,488 points. Taurasi won consecutive gold medals in the Summer Olympic Games of 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 while playing for the United States women’s team.
Taurasi has played internationally while continuing to play for Phoenix. From 2005 to 2010, she played in Russia, starting with Dynamo Moscow in 2005 and 2006. Taurasi then led Spartak Moscow Region to four consecutive EuroLeague Women championships from 2007 to 2010. EuroLeague Women is the highest professional basketball league in Europe for women’s teams. Taurasi played in Turkey from 2010 to 2012, then returned to Russia to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, her current international team.
Diana Lurena Taurasi was born June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California, and grew up in Chino. In 2000, she was named the Naismith and Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year while playing for Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino. She played at the University of Connecticut from 2000 to 2004. The Phoenix Mercury made Taurasi the number one draft choice in the 2004 WNBA draft.
