It’s well-known that Diana Taurasi could possibly be enjoying her final WNBA common season sport tonight. The Phoenix Mercury social media admins have definitely hinted on the risk, spearheading an “If that is it” marketing campaign and posting a tribute video to her earlier on Thursday.
Whereas Taurasi herself has been noncommittal, rumors have swirled relating to her potential retirement on the finish of this season.
Taurasi was requested about retirement earlier this week, however didn’t give a agency reply both approach.
“You recognize, I don’t know,” Taurasi stated. “The final couple of weeks have been a little bit nerve-racking for myself. I don’t wish to make any emotional, rash choices. I do know the tip is close to. When that’s, I don’t know.”
Forward of the New York Liberty’s last common season sport, head coach Sandy Brondello was requested about the potential of Taurasi retiring this 12 months, and took the chance to reward her former participant’s accomplishments. Brondello coached Taurasi from 2014 to 2021, and the Phoenix Mercury received a championship as soon as throughout that span, in 2014.
“Wonderful, wonderful profession that she’s had. For 20 years to play on the degree that she has, what she’s delivered to that group,” Brondello stated. “She’s a winner. Three titles, championships. In 20 years doesn’t appear rather a lot, however it’s laborious to win one, some athletes don’t even win one, however simply how she’s in a position to carry out it at such a excessive degree for thus lengthy, it’s wonderful.”
At 42 years outdated, Taurasi is the WNBA’s all-time main scorer, and is broadly thought of to be one of many best gamers to ever play the sport.
This season, she has averaged 15.1 factors, 3.9 rebounds, and three.4 assists per sport. The Mercury will face the Minnesota Lynx within the first sport of the primary spherical of the playoffs on Sunday, September twenty second.
“It was a privilege for me to educate her,” Brondello stated. “She’s the GOAT. It’s not simply concerning the scoring — she’s an incredible scorer, however simply her aggressive fireplace, her spirit, her will to win together with her teammates, her management. So, if that is the tip for Diana, [she’s] nonetheless going out on her phrases and nonetheless enjoying nice basketball.”