Phoenix built, legacy cemented: Diana Taurasi earns place in Arizona Sports Hall of Fame

The Mercury legend and longtime face of the WNBA will be inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, honoring a career that fused state loyalty with national and international dominance. Other athletes that will be honored are Michael Bates, Frank Busch, Craig Girard, J.J. Hardy, Michael Pantalione and George Young.

Taurasi spent her entire 20-year career in Phoenix after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft out of UConn. Her résumé speaks for itself: three WNBA championships, a league MVP award, 14 All-WNBA selections and six Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

But it’s not just the numbers that made her a desert icon.

Brought in to stabilize a young franchise and league, Taurasi helped transform Phoenix into one of the premier destinations in women’s basketball. Despite roster rebuilds and coaching changes, her constant presence gave the Mercury continuity and helped create one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in the sport.

Beyond the desert, Taurasi has always been known for her swagger and edge, redefining how outsiders perceived the WNBA. She was unapologetic, and her success overseas helped elevate women’s basketball on a global scale, while her candid personality made her one of the sport’s most polarizing figures.

The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame celebrates those whose influence transcended stats, wins and losses, focusing instead on the lasting impact they had in the Valley — something Taurasi more than accomplished. Her career rose alongside the rapid growth of women’s sports, bringing attention to a game often overshadowed by more traditional offerings.

Taurasi built history in Arizona, and now she’ll be cemented as one of the all-time greats in sports.