The day has finally come! A mix of emotions will go through every USA player in the Bercy Arena and every spectator as one of the legends of the games plays her last few minutes as a part of the national team. Two years, sixty games played and won in the Summer Games, and on the verge of her sixth Olympic gold medal. That’s the shimmering legacy of the 42-year-old Diana Taurasi. Still, before she finally gives it her all, she has a special message to the coming class of this greatest dynasty of women’s basketball.
Recently, Diana Taurasi sat down with Hayden Cilley to talk about her passing the torch after 20 illustrious years. Giving some advice to every female player out there, she said, “There’s always these moments when it comes to sports that you really have to take advantage of. I think we’re at that point in the WNBA and women’s sports, where it’s a great time to take advantage of this momentum with the great players that we have.”
Although the Phoenix Mercury superstar is the only basketball player from the USA to have participated in the Olympics six times, she does not wish to forget the ones that started it all. She gave her flowers to the pioneers of the game, the ones who set a standard for Team USA. Appreciating their grind, Taurasi mentioned, “Those were pioneers and trailblazers that sacrificed every single day, kept showing up without a lot of things that we get to take advantage of. I think it’s just been really rewarding for all of us.”
Of course, over the two decades, she has played with icons like Lisa Leslie and Sue Bird. Also, with the upcoming greats like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. But she has more to offer.
Diana Taurasi’s role as the perfect team builder
All the players present in the USA’s national team today came after Diana Taurasi already had her foot cemented in the squad. Hence, one of the biggest things that she gifted all these players was her insight. The experience of playing six Olympic tournaments, the guidance of playing with new faces with every new team, and the ability to fit well in every place. Indeed, something that only a leader can provide.
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From A’ja Wilson to Chelsea Gray, all had one thing to appreciate about the future Hall of Famer— her approach to the game. Even Kahleah Copper, who is debuting her Olympic this year, had the same thing to say as she told Cilley, “I see her work ethic every single day. I think that’s the most important thing, how she takes care of her body.” Apart from these, we have also seen glimpses of her warming up to the future face of the USA national team Caitlin Clark.
