Basketball legend Diana Taurasi retires after 20 WNBA seasons

The GIST: It’s officially the end of an era — for the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, and sports as a whole — after the iconic Diana Taurasi announced her retirement yesterday. Fully satiated, the hoops giant’s storied career is truly one for the history books.

❣️ DT’s impact on the game is second to none, as evidenced in a September thank you video that foreshadowed her impending retirement. Widely considered to be one of the greatest women’s players of all time, her 20 WNBA seasons in Phoenix were characterized by unbridled grit and determination on the court and unmatched charisma and advocacy off of it.

• Whether it was at UConn, in the pros, or on the international stage, DT was unapologetically herself — and that paved the way for the next generation of women hoopers to be both edgy and skilled, ruthless and likeable. Some even forayed into trash talk to mimic their idol.

As the sun sets on her remarkable career, let’s take a look inside DT’s jam-packed trophy case:

🏆 Not only is she a three-time WNBA champion (2007, 2009, 2014), Taurasi’s a two-time Finals MVP (2009, 2014), league MVP (2009), and 11-time All-Star.

• After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2004, DT went on to win Rookie of the Year honors. Special from the beginning.

🪣 Taurasi’s the all-time WNBA leading scorer, amassing 10,646 career points.

🥇 The six-time Olympic gold medalist is the only American hooper to compete in six Games, let alone win gold in every appearance.

All that’s left to say is thank you: Doors will never be the same, and neither will women’s basketball.