Phoenix Mercury retire Taurasi’s jersey in 20-year tribute
Diana Taurasi’s No. 3 jersey was retired and she was inducted into the Phoenix Mercury Ring of Honor on Sunday, marking the conclusion of her two-decade tenure with the franchise.
The Phoenix Mercury officially inducted Diana Taurasi into the team’s Ring of Honor and retired her No. 3 jersey during a halftime ceremony on Sunday against the Portland Fire. The event marked the conclusion of Taurasi’s 20-year tenure with the franchise, spanning from her arrival in 2004 to her retirement in 2024.
Taurasi, 44, became the WNBA’s all-time career scoring leader, extending her record by more than 2,000 points. Her statistical portfolio with the Mercury includes three WNBA championships, 11 All-Star selections, five scoring titles, two WNBA Finals MVP awards, the 2009 regular-season MVP award, and the 2004 Rookie of the Year honour. She is also a six-time Olympic gold medalist.
Addressing the crowd before her banner was unveiled in the arena’s rafters, Taurasi acknowledged the environment that shaped her career. “This place has made me who I am,” she said. “You guys let me grow, you let me fall, you let me get back up and gave me the space to become who I am today. Through the championships, all the good times and all the bad times, the loyalty you have given me is something I will take with me forever.”
The ceremony highlighted Taurasi’s role in establishing the Mercury as one of the league’s premier franchises. Beyond her on-court achievements, she was recognised for her influence on the team’s culture and its loyal fan base, known as the “X-Factor.” Taurasi described her connection to the supporters as deeply personal, noting that she sees friends rather than strangers when entering the arena.
Taurasi stated that the honour ranks among her biggest career accomplishments. “Today feels different. When your number goes up there, you can't use it anymore, it's done. So if there was any little competitiveness still in me, I think today it goes up in the rafters with the number and it feels really good,” she said.
Her wife, WNBA legend Penny Taylor, and their two children were present at the event to mark the occasion. The ceremony concluded a significant era for the franchise, celebrating a player who has been synonymous with basketball in Arizona for more than two decades.
