The White Mamba and Her Legacy: Diana Taurasi and Her Illustrious WNBA Career.

After a prodigious 20-year career, WNBA superstar, Diana Taurasi has decided to hang up her jersey and retire. 

At the age of 42, Taurasi has established herself as one of the greatest to ever play the game of women's basketball; from winning championships in college and WNBA, to world titles, Taurasi has done it all.

Diana Taurasi was born in Chino, California, where she attended Don Antonio Lugo High school. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Connecticut where she continued to pursue her passion for basketball.

During Taurasi’s time at Connecticut, she guided the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA titles. Taurasi was the first player in UCONN history to reach 2,000 points, 600 assists and 600 rebounds in their collegiate career.

Her list does not just stop there. On top of her remarkable resume from UCONN, Taurasi also had the privilege of representing the United States at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, in which she helped to bring home gold to the U.S.A.

Taurasi declared for the WNBA draft upon graduating from the University of Connecticut. She went first overall to the Phoenix Mercury, where she would spend the entirety of her professional career. 

During her rookie season, Taurasi averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. That same year, she had the honor of making the Western conference all-star team, as well as being named 2004 Rookie of the Year.

This marked the beginning of her astounding 20 season career. All together, Taurasi competed in 565 WNBA games. She brought home three championships to the city of Phoenix (2007, 2009 and 2014) 

Decorated is just one of the many words to describe Taurasi’s resumé. 

She is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, has been selected to ten All-Star teams, has won six Olympic gold medals with team U.S.A. and was selected to fourteen all WNBA teams.

In an article titled, "Just a Kid from Chino", written by Taurasi herself, she remarked, “That’s the duality of the American immigrant experience in a nutshell, I think: the insider’s feeling of opportunity but the outsider’s understanding of privilege. Chino represents both of those feelings at once.”

Basketball aside, Diana Taurasi was a hometown hero, making a name for herself, and putting the city of Chino, California on the map.

I for one can attest to this, as I actually attended and played basketball at Taurasi’s high school alma mater, Don Antonio Lugo High school.

Upon transferring to Don Lugo, I did not know what to expect. When the day came around for me to get registered, the very first thing I saw in the office of the school was Diana Taurasi’s McDonald’s All-American jersey displayed in the school’s front office.

When my first day of school came around, I was escorted to the gym where Taurasi’s name was plastered all over the gym walls. It was at that moment I knew I was walking in the footsteps of one of the greats. 

There was a feeling that resonated around the gym that felt safe. 

A place that felt like home. That’s the effect that Taurasi has, her presence lingered even long after she was gone. I would then go on to have one of the best seasons of basketball I have ever played in my life. All while playing in the same gym as one of the greatest players of all time.

Taurasi was given the name “White Mamba” after the great Kobe Bryant. Being given this name by one of the most tenacious players in NBA history meant a great deal of respect.

Taurasi had that same “mamba mentality” that Bryant had. 

Mamba mentality means to always be the best version of yourself in any aspect of life. However, this doesn't just happen overnight. It is through hard work, determination, grit and consistency. 

Mamba mentality meant to play without fear and to be the master of your own craft. 

“...I was starting and playing 35 minutes a game. Just like that. We made it to the Final Four that year. I was terrible, and we lost. I hate to lose. I never lost in the NCAA tournament again.”

This mentality is what helped Taurasi and the UCONN Huskies bring home three national titles at the University of Connecticut. 

Taurasi embodied all of these attributes and more, coining her as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of women’s basketball.

In her final season of professional career, Taurasi averaged 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists. 

In her final game with the Mercury, Taurasi teased, “If it is the last time, felt like the first time.” On February 25th, 2025, she officially announced her retirement from the league.

Although she has retired, that hasn’t stopped her from being involved. Taurasi and her former UCONN teammate, Sue Bird, started a show during the NCAA tournament as commentators for the players as they played.

They named this show The Bird and Taurasi Show.

Many wonder what Taurasi will pursue now that she has retired. While she enjoys her retirement, the question sparks, would she come back to the league as a potential coach in the future? Would she go on to coach at the collegiate level? 

As the questions linger on, one thing is for certain. Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time. 

Up there with all of the greats such as Maya Moore, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, the list can go on.

Taurasi’s legacy shines bright, paving a way for a new generation of talent. Not just on the court, but of the court as well.