WNBA legend Diana Taurasi announces retirement after unmatched basketball career 

Diana Taurasi made it official on Tuesday.

The WNBA legend has officially announced her retirement from the WNBA and pro basketball, ending one of the best and most decorated careers in the history of the sport. Not just in the women's game, but basketball in general.

The 42-year-old Taurasi spent nearly two decades in the WNBA, all of them as a member of the Phoenix Mercury.

Taurasi made the retirement announcement in an exclusive with Time Magazine. 

She said New Year's Day was when she started to come to the realization that it was probably time to call it a career because she "just didn't have it" in her to go through another season. She said as soon as she had that thought, she knew that it was time to walk away.

Taurasi also said she feels "full" mentally and physically, but is also happy.

She has every reason to feel both emotions.

Playing a professional sports into your 40s is always going to be a physical and mental grind — especially when playing at her high level.

Taurasi's list of accomplishments is unrivaled in the WNBA.

Along with being the league's all-time leading scorer, she also led the Mercury to three championships (2007, 2009 and 2014) and was a two-time WNBA Finals MVP. She was also the league MVP during the 2009 season.

She also won six Olympic gold medals and was a three-time NCAA champion at Connecticut before being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. 

In total, from the college domination, to the Olympic success, to the two decades of consistency at the highest pro level, it is simply a legendary career. The word legend gets used a little too loosely in sports and should only be reserved for the cream of the crop and the absolute best of the best.

Taurasi's career puts her in that stratosphere.