Diana Taurasi makes extra WNBA historical past by reaching 10,000 factors
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Diana Taurasi is in a league of her personal.
The Phoenix Mercury veteran grew to become the primary participant in WNBA historical past to succeed in 10,000 factors throughout the Mercury’s matchup in opposition to the Atlanta Dream on Thursday. Taurasi, 41, achieved the feat in entrance of a house crowd in Phoenix that is watched her rating each level within the Mercury’s purple and orange.
It was solely acceptable that Taurasi knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers in 33 seconds to hit the milestone within the third quarter of the sport, because the Mercury led 51-39. Her teammates collectively gathered in a gaggle hug round her as the group went wild.
Taurasi has been the WNBA’s all-time main scorer since June 18, 2017 when she surpassed Tina Thompson’s earlier report of seven,488 factors, however the 10-time WNBA All-Star continues so as to add to her whole and additional solidify her standing as one of many biggest basketball gamers of all time.
She was the primary WNBA participant to succeed in 8,000 factors and 9,000 factors, not to mention 10,000 factors. However to Taurasi, the stats come second to her love of the sport.
“I actually do not take into consideration the quantity. I’ve at all times stated, ‘I solely take into consideration basketball as a result of I like to play.’ Actually that is the one purpose I present (up) to the fitness center proper now,” she stated Tuesday.
Taurasi was chosen by the Mercury with the primary general choose within the 2004 WNBA draft after a standout profession at UConn, the place she led the Huskies to 3 nationwide championships. Phoenix posted an 8–26 report in 2003, earlier than her arrival. However Taurasi turned the Mercury right into a winner and picked up a number of accolades alongside the best way.
She gained the WNBA Rookie of the Yr Award within the 2004 season and led the Mercury to its first WNBA championship in 2007. Taurasi and the Mercury hoisted the championship trophy once more in 2009 and 2014, with Taurasi incomes WNBA Finals MVP honors each years. She was additionally named the league MVP in 2009.
“When you find yourself in a spot for 20 years, you get to see the whole lot,” Taurasi stated Tuesday after dropping 29 factors in opposition to the Indiana Fever. “You get to see the highs of the highs, which I have been to, and I have been to the lows of the lows. There’s something to be stated about going via all these phases with the one workforce. You be taught so much about your self when you find yourself in these conditions.”
Taurasi’s 10,000-point milestone is a spotlight in an in any other case disappointing season for the Mercury, who welcomed All-Star middle Brittney Griner again following her 10-month detainment in Russia. Phoenix is 6-19 coming into Thursday’s recreation, tied for final place. Head coach Vanessa Nygaard was fired in consequence in late June.
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The 19-year WNBA veteran described her love of basketball as an “obsession” and “dependancy,” however famous that underwhelming seasons, equivalent to this one, have made her ponder hanging up her sneakers for good.
“I’ve given my life to this recreation. I nonetheless like to play, I really like to arrange and I like to compete. That’s why I preserve coming again, however years like this take a toll on you,” Taurasi stated Tuesday. “Typically it seems like madness. Even after I’m doing it, I believe, ‘I needs to be in Hawaii, hanging out with my household and my children and I’m in Indianapolis.'”
Taurasi has two youngsters, son Leo and daughter Isla, with spouse Penny Taylor, a former teammate.
“Hopefully, I preserve coming again,” Taurasi added. “Perhaps not.”
Taurasi’s legacy extends past the Mercury and WNBA. She’s gained 5 Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020) and and three FIBA World Cups (2010, 2014, and 2018) whereas representing the US. She’s one in every of solely 16 gamers to win an Olympic gold medal, WNBA championship and NCAA title.
Who’re WNBA’s all-time main scorers?
Here is the WNBA’s prime 10 all-time scorers, as of Wednesday:
- Diana Taurasi: 9,982 factors, 521 video games
- *Tina Thompson: 7,488 factors, 496 video games
- *Tamika Catchings: 7,380 factors, 457 video games
- Tina Charles: 7,115 factors, 391 video games
- Candice Dupree: 6,895, 494 video games
- Cappie Pondexter: 6,811 factors, 416 video games
- Sue Hen: 6,803 factors, 580 video games
- DeWanna Bonner: 6,680 factors, 448 video games
- Candace Parker: 6,574 factors, 410 video games
- *Katie Smith: 6,452 factors, 482 video games
* Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame inductees, (b) lively WNBA participant
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