WNBA sends heartfelt message to Diana Taurasi after retirement announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 7:31 PM ET

It's official, after 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury, Diana Taurasi has decided to hang it up and turn the page on her career. The big news hit on Tuesday night, and as expected, Taurasi's retirement announcement has prompted all sorts of reactions from in and around the basketball world.

The WNBA was one of the first to react to this major development. The league decided to put out a heartfelt message for the former league MVP as she walks away from the game.

"After 20 years of playing in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi is officially retiring

"Thank you Diana for changing the game forever, all of the accolades could never amount to the type of person and edge you embodied when you stepped out there on the court

"One-of-One " the post read.

After 20 years of playing in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi is officially retiring

Thank you Diana for changing the game forever, all of the accolades could never amount to the type of person and edge you embodied when you stepped out there on the court

One-of-One pic.twitter.com/dEtE4NDrGH
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 25, 2025

There's no denying that in her two decades in the league, Taurasi has played an integral role in growing the WNBA. In fact, one might even go as far as saying that the league would not be where it is right now had it not been for Taurasi.

It's possible that someone sometime in the future might be able to surpass what Taurasi has achieved on the basketball court. Caitlin Clark, the WNBA's heir apparent, seems to be right on that track.

However, in terms of the impact she's had on women's basketball over the past 20 yaers, there truly is no one like Diana Taurasi.

As the WNBA put it, she is simply one of one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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