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Taurasi makes a major announcement about her playing career
Diana Taurasi. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

One of the best women’s basketball players of all time has called it a career.

Diana Taurasi announced her retirement from basketball on Tuesday. The 42-year-old guard told Time Magazine that she typically begins preparing for each WNBA season around Jan. 1 to give herself four months to work on her game prior to the start of training camp. But this year, things felt differently for her.

“I just didn’t have it in me,” Taurasi told Time. “That was pretty much when I knew it was time to walk away.”

Taurasi does not appear to have any regrets about her choice.

“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

Taurasi put together an incredible resume throughout her career. She was a three-time college champion at UConn and won Naismith College Player of the Year twice. She became the No. 1 pick in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi played her entire WNBA career for Phoenix and was a three-time league champion and 11-time All-Star.

During the WNBA offseason, Taurasi would often play in Russia and Turkey, where she led her teams to the Russian league title seven times and the EuroLeague title six times.

As if all that weren’t enough, Taurasi also represented the United States on an international stage. She won six Olympic gold medals with the country between 2004-24. She also earned a great nickname from a beloved basketball figure.

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

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