Basketball Star Diana Taurasi, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury team, achieved a big accomplishment in her amazing career. She’s now the top scorer in WNBA history, and she’s also the first player to score 10,000 points in the league.
Before the game on Thursday night, Taurasi needed 18 points to reach this special number. She played the game at the Footprint Centre in Phoenix, where many fans came to watch. During the game’s third quarter, she made a really long three-point shot and got the historic 10,000 points.
As soon as she scored, the game stopped for a moment. Taurasi celebrated with her teammates near the middle of the court. She waved her arms and the fans cheered loudly for her.
Watch highlight of the match
Taurasi shared her feelings with ESPN, saying, “I was worried this might change how we were doing in the game.” “We really wanted to win, so it felt good. When you hope for something and it goes well, it’s nice. It’s a great night for women’s basketball.”
In the Mercury’s 91-71 win over the Dream, the former MVP finished the game with 42 points, which is her highest this season and the most she’s ever scored in a regular game. ESPN says Taurasi is the oldest player ever in the league to get 40 or more points in a game.
Even though Brittney Griner couldn’t play because of her mental health, she hugged Taurasi after the game.
Talking about reaching this goal, Taurasi said, “When you really love something and work hard at it, you always want to push yourself.” It couldn’t have been better to have a night like this in front of our fans and the people who have helped me a lot. Sometimes pushing the rules got me into trouble, but I just love the game and give it my all.
After doing great in college at UConn, where she helped the Huskies win three NCAA titles in a row, Taurasi was picked first overall by the Mercury in the 2004 NBA Draft.
The 10-time All-Star has won three WNBA championships with the Mercury (in 2007, 2009, and 2014). She’s been MVP in the WNBA Finals twice, showing how good she is in the pro games too.
Taurasi has done lots of impressive things, like having the record for scoring the most in one season (25.3 points per game in 2006). She’s also the top scorer in the league’s history for three-pointers and in the playoffs. And she’s won five scoring titles, from 2008 to 2011.
At the international level, Taurasi has won six Euroleague championships and five Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
The WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, said, “I want to congratulate Diana on getting 10,000 points in her amazing WNBA career. This is a big thing, and we’re all excited to see what else she’ll do in the future.”
Trying to cover short biography to know more about – Diana Taurasi
Diana Lorena Taurasi, born on June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California, is a famous American basketball player known for her amazing skills, leadership, and big contributions to the sport. Her story is inspiring because she went from being a talented young athlete to becoming one of the best female basketball players ever. She worked really hard, never gave up, and loved playing the game.
Early Years and College Dominance:
Diana’s basketball journey started when she was young, and everyone could see how good she was. She went to Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino, California, where she showed her talents and how good she was at different parts of the game. People noticed her and thought she was one of the best players in the country. She got a scholarship to the University of Connecticut (UConn), which has one of the best women’s basketball teams ever.
At UConn, Diana was amazing right away. She played for the Huskies from 2000 to 2004 and was really good at scoring, passing the ball, and leading the team. While she was in college, UConn won the NCAA championship three times in a row (in 2002, 2003, and 2004), and Diana was named the best player in the Final Four each time. She got lots of awards, like being chosen as an All-American many times and getting the Naismith College Player of the Year award.
Transition to the WNBA:
In 2004, Diana started playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) after being picked first in the draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She was really good in the professional league right away. Diana was great at scoring, especially with three-point shots, and she played really hard. She helped the Mercury win their first WNBA championship in 2007 and got an award for being the best player in the finals.
Unparalleled WNBA Success:
Diana got even better in the WNBA with each year. She was always excellent on the court. She scored more points than anyone else in the league’s history, which shows how amazing she was at scoring. Diana won lots of championships with the Mercury, got picked to play in the All-Star game many times, and was known as one of the most important players in the league.
International Dominance:
Outside of the WNBA, Diana has played for the United States in international competitions. She’s been a key player on the U.S. women’s national basketball team and won a bunch of gold medals in the Olympics (in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016) and FIBA World Cup championships. She’s helped the U.S. stay the best in basketball all over the world.
Short Video of Diana Taurasi:
Legacy and Impact:
Diana Taurasi’s impact on basketball goes beyond just numbers and winning championships. Her leadership, strong desire to win, and always trying her best have motivated many athletes, especially young girls, to follow their dreams. She’s a role model for women in sports, and she talks about making things fair for everyone and caring about important issues in the world.
To conclude –
Diana Taurasi’s journey from a talented kid who loved basketball to a famous global superstar and legendary player shows how much she worked hard, had skill, and never gave up. She’ll always be known for being amazing in sports, and what she’s done will keep inspiring people for many years. Diana Taurasi’s story is about succeeding, and it’s a story that shows how determination and loving what you do can make a big difference, not just in sports, but in life too.
FAQ’s about Diana Taurasi
Q: Who is the father of Diana Taurasi baby?
A: In 2005, Taylor got married to a volleyball player from Brazil named Rodrigo Rodrigues Gil, but they later got divorced. Then, on May 13, 2017, she got married again. This time, she married another basketball star, Diana Taurasi, who also plays for the Phoenix Mercury. On March 1, 2018, they became parents. Taylor gave birth to their son, and they named him Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor.
Q: How much does Diana Taurasi make?
A: For the 2023 season, the players who will earn the highest base salary are Arike Ogunbowale from the Dallas Wings, Jewel Lloyd from the Seattle Storm, and Diana Taurasi from the Phoenix Mercury. They will each make $234,936 this year.
Q: Why is Diana Taurasi the goat?
A: Taurasi holds the WNBA record for the highest average points scored in a single season. She achieved this with an average of 25.3 points per game during the 2006 season, where she scored a total of 860 points in 34 games for the Mercury.
Q: What are 3 facts about Diana Taurasi?
A: Taurasi was part of the U.S. women’s basketball teams that achieved five back-to-back Olympic gold medals from 2004 to 2021. Her mother was from Argentina, and her father used to be a professional football player.
Q: Is Diana Taurasi vegetarian?
A: According to Taurasi, the key to her success is her vegan diet. She believes it has made her more mindful of what she eats, something she didn’t pay much attention to when she was a younger athlete.
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