The Phoenix Mercury announced Diana Taurasi signed a multi-year extension. The contract should assure that nine-time WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, 2009 WNBA MVP and the three-time WNBA Champion Diana Taurasi will remain with the Merrcury for the duration of her career.
Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman spoke about Taurasi, ““WNBA players are more empowered and in control of their careers than ever before, and it is an incredibly important statement that Diana Taurasi has chosen to re-sign with the Mercury once again. Diana has given her entire career to our organization and community, and we don’t take for granted her unrivaled impact on basketball in the Valley. Her commitment to getting back on the court last year, and the level of play we saw from her in the Wubble, make us confident she has more All-WNBA days ahead of her.”
After missing most of the 2019 season with a back surgery, Taurasi returned last season to lead the Mercury in scoring with an 18.7 points per game average, good for fifth highest in the WNBA. She also averages 4.5 assists per game, the eighth most in the league. Taurasi led the Mercury to the fifth best record in the WNBA, despite scuffling through the season with a roster depleted by injuries.
For her career, in 17 seasons with the Mercury, Taurasi has played (and started) 456 games, averaging 19.6 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. She also averaged an incredible 31.0 minutes per game. Even last season, at 38 and coming off the injury, Taurasi averaged 28.1 minutes per game. In her career, she has a 43.2% shooting percentage from the field, 36.7 from three point land and 87.1% from the free throw line.
The Mercury finished 13-9 last season, good for fifth place in the Western Conference. With the reshuffling of teams in the playoffs, the Mercury were the #5 seed.
In the press session, Taurasi talked about playing as she gets older, her legacy, the importance of playing her whole career with the Mercury and more.
Taurasi was poised, relaxed and focused. Despite it being the offseason, Taurasi looks ready to play today. With her contract done, she can now focus on the task at hand, winning another WNBA title. Check my other coverage on GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. Also, check WNBA.com for more info on all of the teams and players.
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