Diana Taurasi, one of the most accomplished basketball players in history, has officially announced her retirement after 20 seasons in the WNBA. It came as no surprise as the living legend has been dropping hints months before the 2024 WNBA season ended.

The 42-year-old Phoenix Mercury guard, known for her relentless work ethic, supreme confidence, and clutch performances, leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match. “Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told TIME in an exclusive interview. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

With a career spanning two decades, Taurasi has set records and inspired generations of athletes. She retires as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points—nearly 3,000 more than second-place Tina Charles—and holds multiple records in three-pointers made, playoff scoring, and assists. More than just a numbers-driven player, Taurasi was a fierce competitor whose influence on women’s basketball extends far beyond statistics.

A Legacy of Winning

From the moment she stepped onto the court at UConn, Taurasi was destined for greatness. Under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, she led the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA championships from 2002 to 2004, cementing her status as one of college basketball’s greatest players. Auriemma, who also coached her in two Olympics, describes Taurasi’s impact as immeasurable. “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.

Taurasi’s winning ways continued in the WNBA, where she was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2004 draft. She led the team to three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014) and was named Finals MVP twice. Internationally, she dominated the EuroLeague, winning six championships while playing in Russia and Turkey. Her Olympic career is equally decorated, with a record six gold medals—a feat unmatched by any basketball player in history.

Taurasi secured three World Cup titles in 2010, 2014, and 2018. In the 2010 final against the Czech Republic, the U.S. found themselves locked in a close match, struggling to pull away from the host nation. Seeking a defensive adjustment, head coach Geno Auriemma called for a switch to a 2-3 zone, but the Czechs immediately capitalized, draining a shot from the corner. Moments later, Taurasi took matters into her own hands—stepping up from 32 feet, she buried a deep three. As she ran back down the court, she made a beeline for the U.S. bench, locking eyes with Auriemma and delivering a blunt directive in front of the entire team: “Get the f-ck out of this zone.”

Changing WNBA’s Trajectory

Taurasi’s impact wasn’t just about winning titles; she helped elevate the WNBA’s visibility and credibility. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged her influence, stating, “You can’t tell the story of the WNBA without Diana. She helped build the league into what it is today and inspired generations of fans and players.”

Her competitive fire and unapologetic confidence gave the league an edge that it needed in its early years. Whether it was trash-talking opponents, knocking down impossible three-pointers, or carrying her team in clutch moments, Taurasi brought a unique swagger to the game. As her longtime friend and teammate Sue Bird put it, “The more you piss her off, the better she plays. People are entertained by that.”

Taurasi’s influence extended off the court as well. She was a vocal advocate for women’s basketball and played a key role in negotiations that improved salaries and working conditions for WNBA players. She also proved that female athletes could have long, lucrative careers overseas, famously taking a year off from the WNBA in 2015 at the request of her Russian team, which paid her more than ten times what she made in the WNBA.

A Player Like No Other

LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, described Taurasi as one of the fiercest competitors he has ever met. “She’s just super cool, super witty, talks her sh-t too,” James said. “She’s a champion. She’s a warrior.”

Taurasi’s signature style of play was a mix of skill, toughness, and basketball IQ. Her ability to score at all three levels—inside, mid-range, and from deep—made her nearly impossible to guard. Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon summed it up best: “Just nasty out there. Just had that nasty, which I love. Our league is going to miss her.”

Beyond the numbers, what separated Taurasi was her ability to elevate her teammates. Whether it was delivering pinpoint passes, making the right play in a crucial moment, or setting the tone with her leadership, she had a way of making everyone around her better.

A Fitting Farewell

Unlike many stars who embark on farewell tours, Taurasi opted to keep her final season low-key. “I felt like 20 years of opposing arenas was enough,” she said. “All I need is another pair of sneakers.”

Now, she looks forward to spending more time with her wife, former Mercury teammate Penny Taylor, and their two children. Taurasi describes herself as a “disgruntled assistant mom coach” for her son Leo’s youth basketball team, where Taylor serves as head coach.

While her next chapter remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Taurasi’s legacy is secure. She changed the game, inspired generations, and leaves basketball in a better place than she found it.

“I’m going to miss the competition,” Taurasi admitted. “I’m going to miss trying to get better every single offseason. I’m going to miss the bus rides, shootarounds. I’m going to miss the locker room, the inside jokes, the things that come with being on a basketball team. All those things,