How do you say goodbye to the GOAT?
Diana Taurasi has retired from pro basketball after 20 seasons in the WNBA, three league championships and more than 10,000 points.
What’s left to say about the 2009 WNBA MVP, six-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time league scoring champion and three-time NCAA champion? Plenty. ESPN canvassed Taurasi’s friends, teammates, family members and former coaches throughout the past year for untold tales — the ones they could share, at least.
“There’s a lot of crazy stories. They are either vault-ish or heartwarming, there’s not much in between,” said Morgan Valley, Taurasi’s former UConn Huskies teammate and roommate. “She’s one of a kind.”
Unsurprisingly, many of the behind-the-scenes stories focused on Taurasi’s ultracompetitive personality and sarcastic wit. But the anecdotes shed light on all sides of Taurasi, from the fierce leader to the supportive teammate, and from the nurturing mother to the generous mentor.
To quote UConn coach Geno Auriemma, “we got Diana” — and you don’t forget a legend like that. Here’s a look at the Phoenix Mercury star from those who know her best. — Reporting from Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou and Josh Weinfuss
Editor’s note: Anecdotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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