WNBA legend Diana Taurasi announced her retirement after 20 seasons in the league last February, and one of the people who guided her was present as she said goodbye last February. Her old college coach, UConn’s Geno Auriemma was there when she said goodbye in Phoenix, and she addressed him during her farewell speech.
“Miss A, I always remember those conversations in your driveway we’re like, I’m gonna say ‘I’m done with this man, and you would say you’re done with me too,” Taurasi said.
In her 20-year career, Diana Taurasi was the WNBA’s scoring leader. She led the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA championship three times and won the Olympic gold medal six times, capping it off her international career with gold during the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also won six EuroLeague championships and helped lead UConn to three straight national titles from 2001-2004.
She has scored the most points ever in the WNBA, finishing her career with 10,646 points. This is almost 3,000 more than Tina Charles, who is at second place.
During an interview with Time magazine in February 2025, Diana Taurasi explained her decision to finally retire after 20 years in the WNBA:
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” she told the magazine. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
In addition, she was the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year, an 11-time WNBA All-Star, a 10-time All-WNBA First Team member and a four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. She averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds during her entire career, and during her 20th and final season with the Mercury, she averaged 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Geno Auriemma Released a Statement Regarding Diana Taurasi Retirement
Geno Auriemma had been quite close to Diana Taurasi, as he did not just coach her over at UConn and winning thee national championships in the process, but he was also her coach at USA Basketball. As Taurasi announced her retirement from the game on February, her old college and international coach released his own statement.
“In my opinion, what the greats have in common is, they transcend the sport and become synonymous with the sport. For as long as people talk about college basketball, WNBA basketball, Olympic basketball: Diana is the greatest winner in the history of basketball, period,” he said.
“‘ve had the pleasure of being around her for a lot of those moments, and she’s the greatest teammate I’ve ever coached. I’m happy for her and her family. At the same time, I’m sad that I’ll never get to see her play again, but I saw more than most,” he added.
UConn WBB coach Geno Auriemma’s statement on Diana Taurasi’s retirement pic.twitter.com/5U0hB4nwvM
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) February 25, 2025
Auriemma had cheered her on even after she left UConn for the WNBA, as he was sometimes seen watching her play, with the two continuing to be friends off the court.
Related: IN PICS: UConn Legends Reunite to Cheer On Paige Bueckers in Emotional WNBA Moment
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