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UConn legend Diana Taurasi speaks on her future in the WNBA and … – CT Insider
UConn women’s basketball legend Diana Taurasi announced that she will return to the WNBA next season during her exit interview for the Phoenix Mercury.
“I got another year on my contract and I’m definitely going to fulfill that,” Taurasi said in her exit interview.
Now there’s a chance the three-time WNBA champion could play alongside another Husky star, Paige Bueckers. The Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever are all in the WNBA lottery. The 2024 WNBA Draft will no doubt will be stacked, so Bueckers might not be the top pick if she decides to declare for the draft, but would expected be drafted in the top five.
“Any team would be lucky to have someone like (Paige Bueckers). There’s a lot of people who play basketball, but there’s not a lot of people who love basketball and that’s difference,” Taurasi said. “I’m excited for Paige to be back on the court, no matter what WNBA team she plays for. I’m just really excited for her to be back on the court and healthy.”
Former UConn women’s basketball player and current Phoenix guard Moriah Jefferson will be using the off-season to receover from her ankle injury.
“A piece of the bone is broken off on like the inside of my ankle … I definitely was in a great amount of pain certain times and then sometimes it would ease up for me,” Jefferson said “But for me, I’ve always been a player and a person who was just going to push through anything.”
This was just one of the injuries that negatively impacted the Mercury this season and their onslaught of injuries was one of the major factors behind Phoenix missing the playoffs.
“I’ve never had a season like this,” Taurasi said. “Sometimes you can do all the right things off-season, in season. That doesn’t mean you’re always gonna get what you want. And that’s, that’s what I’ve learned about life. That’s what I learned about basketball. You don’t always get what you want.”
Even though Taurasi ‘didn’t get what she wanted’ in terms of continuing play into this year’s postseason, the 10-time WNBA All-Star did reach a huge mark this year. The five-time WNBA scoring champion broke the WNBA scoring record by reaching 10,000 career points, the first player in the W to do so. That night was definitely a highlight for the three-time NCAA champion.
“I got 10,000 pennies so I’m happy,” Taurasi said.
Another reason for celebration, Brittney Griner returned to the court this season after spending 10 months detained in Russian prison.
“It was nice beyond basketball for her just to be you know, back at home with her family and safe so that was pretty cool,” Taurasi said.
“You wouldn’t know if it was quiet and private and the world didn’t know, you wouldn’t know just talking to her and she’s you know, the most genuine person you’ll meet,” Jefferson said. “She’s talking to everybody around you staff members, workers, you know, she’s gonna have a conversation with everybody. And I think that’s one thing that I really love about BG.”
But as the playoffs tip off, the off-season has ‘already started’ for Taurasi. She is already in the gym honing her craft for next season. And working on her daughter’s game.
“I will be coaching Leo’s 5-year old soccer team so if you guys want to come to Arcadia Park on Saturdays and see a coach get thrown out, come on over,” Taurasi said.