GOAT Taurasi’s Power Play: Buying the Mercury
Diana Taurasi: From Basketball Legend to Future Team Owner
The Big News: A Legend’s Next Chapter
Diana Taurasi just finished her amazing basketball career, but she’s not walking away from the game. Two days before the Phoenix Mercury retire her famous No. 3 jersey, she told ESPN she wants to become a part-owner of the team in the next year or two.
Important Point
Taurasi isn’t just looking for a title—she wants to be actively involved and help guide the franchise’s future. "When I do it, I want to be around because I want to have an influence on where this franchise goes," she said.
A Weekend of Honors
The city of Phoenix is celebrating Taurasi with three special events:
1. A Street Named After Her
- The street outside the Mercury’s arena is now called "10646 Taurasi Way"
- The number 10,646 represents her career point total — the most in WNBA history
- This updates the original sign from 2017 when she first became the all-time leading scorer (7,489 points at that time)
2. Her Own Basketball Court
- One of three new outdoor courts was renamed "Diana Taurasi Court"
- It’s painted purple with her No. 3 and a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) logo
- A ribbon-cutting ceremony made it official
3. Jersey Retirement Ceremony
- Sunday at halftime of the Mercury vs. Portland Fire game
- Her No. 3 will hang in the arena forever
- No Mercury player will ever wear No. 3 again
- Followed by a postgame celebration
Her Incredible Playing Career
Taurasi played 20 seasons — all with the Phoenix Mercury. Here’s what she accomplished:
WNBA Achievements
- 3 WNBA Championships
- 2 WNBA Finals MVPs
- 1 Regular Season MVP
- 11 All-Star appearances
- 10 All-WNBA First Team selections
- All-time leading scorer (10,646 points)
International & Olympic Success
- 6 Olympic Gold Medals (most ever for basketball)
- 6 EuroLeague titles (European championship)
- 7 Russian National League titles
- 3 Russian Cup championships
- 1 Turkish National League title
- 1 Turkish Cup title
College Dominance
- 3 National Championships at University of Connecticut (UConn)
Important Point
Taurasi emphasizes her overseas career was just as important: "Those 12 years really are 24 years of WNBA play because the eight months [season length]. So, I take that as serious."
The Moments She Almost Left
Despite 20 years in Phoenix, Taurasi admits she came close to leaving multiple times.
The Breaking Points
- After first 10 years — Won 3 titles, expected more, but team struggled
- During rebuilding years — "The writing’s on the wall. I might need a new start"
- Franchise uncertainty — Thought both she and the team needed fresh starts
Why She Stayed
- "We always kind of figured it out"
- The hard times made the championships sweeter
- Some favorite memories came from teams that didn’t win — because of the "internal struggle and grit"
Taurasi on Legacy: Actions Speak Louder
When asked about her legacy, Taurasi keeps it simple:
"Your legacy is what you actually do. It’s not what you say."
Her Philosophy on Winning
- Winning is everything — "If you truly want to be better than everyone else, you have to win"
- It requires sacrifice — "Sometimes you have to give up something to win, and that’s hard for people to do"
- Not everyone pays the price — "Everyone says they want to win, but not everyone’s willing to do the things to win because they’re really hard"
Life After Retirement: A Weight Lifted
Taurasi retired after the 2024 season and says it’s been "better than I thought."
What She Discovered
- She didn’t realize how stressed and anxious she was during her career
- Her obsession with basketball dominated her mind and priorities
- The moment she announced retirement: "I just had this weight off my shoulders"
What She Misses (and Doesn’t)
| Misses | Doesn’t Miss |
|---|---|
| The game itself | The constant stress |
| Camaraderie with teammates | The anxiety |
| Bus rides & locker room laughs | The all-consuming pressure |
| Friendly ribbing & joking |
Her Secret to No Regrets
"For me, it was how much basketball can I play in my life?"
She took advantage of every opportunity — that’s why she walks away happy.
A New Perspective on the WNBA
Being retired for almost two full seasons changed how Taurasi sees the league:
Then (As a Player)
- Watched games thinking "everyone sucks" (the fierce competitor in her)
- Couldn’t help but criticize
Now (As a Fan)
- Appreciates how amazing current players are
- Has grace for tough nights — "I know how hard it is"
- Recognizes: "The WNBA is really, really hard"
On the League’s Current State
Taurasi sees two narratives — and chooses the positive one:
| Negative View | Positive View (Taurasi’s Choice) |
|---|---|
| "Chaotic, toxic side going sideways" | "Arenas are packed, games on TV, people taking notice" |
| Focus on off-court drama | "The state of the game is as good as it’s ever been" |
Why She Loves Today’s Game
- Free-flowing offense — "Everyone’s putting up a hundred points"
- Skills on display — "People can actually show their skill… their footwork"
- Less physical, more beautiful — "That’s what we’ve wanted for a long time"
What’s Next: Hall of Fame Bound
The honors keep coming:
- End of 2026 WNBA season → Eligible for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
- After 2027 season → Eligible for Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Her Humble Beginning
"I didn’t start playing basketball because I wanted all these things. If you ask anyone, I’d just rather them put it up and, I don’t know, go have dinner."
From outdoor courts in Chino, California → to immortalized in Phoenix → to future team owner.
Summary: The Taurasi Blueprint
Diana Taurasi’s story teaches us:
- Stay loyal through ups and downs — The hard times make success meaningful
- Winning requires sacrifice — Be willing to do what others won’t
- Legacy = Actions, not words — What you do matters more than what you say
- Take every opportunity — "How much basketball can I play in my life?"
- Know when to walk away — She retired on her terms, with zero regrets
- Evolve after retirement — From player → fan → future owner → mentor
The No. 3 jersey goes up Sunday. The owner’s seat? Coming soon.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why is the street address "10646 Taurasi Way"?
That’s her exact career point total — 10,646 points — making her the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Did Taurasi ever play for another WNBA team?
No. She spent all 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury (2004–2024).
How many Olympic gold medals does she have?
Six — the most of any basketball player in history (male or female).
What does "GOAT" mean on her court logo?
Greatest Of All Time — a nickname earned through her unprecedented resume.
When can she officially become a Mercury owner?
She hopes to make it happen within the next 1–2 years, but no official timeline has been announced.
From Chino courts to Phoenix royalty — Diana Taurasi’s journey proves that greatness isn’t just about talent. It’s about showing up, staying put, and winning at all costs.