Report: Diana Taurasi Inks New Contract Extension

As of Friday, August 8th, Diana Taurasi has signed another multi-year extension to stay with the Phoenix Mercury.

Taurasi didn’t have to re-sign, but she wanted to, “Why would I ever want to play anywhere else?” Taurasi said while signing her name along the dotted line. It signified a genuine desire that no matter how many more years she plays or how many more contracts she signs, she wants them all to be with one team and onlyone team – the Phoenix Mercury.”

Taurasi has been a big piece to the Phoenix Mercury puzzle, and there’s no doubt that she is one of the greatest women basketball players of all time. She is in her eleventh year of WNBA basketball and she has spent all of her time with the Phoenix Mercury.

"“Diana Taurasi isn’t just the face of our franchise, she is the face of women’s basketball,” said Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman. “She is an example to young athletes everywhere—a fearless competitor, leader, and a consummate teammate with an unmatched drive to be the best. She is everything you would want to build a championship team around and we are thrilled that she will continue her career in a Mercury uniform.”"

A two-time WNBA Champion with the Mercury (2007, 2009), former league MVP (2009) and WNBA Finals MVP (2009), Taurasi has played 325 career games, since originally being selected first overall by Phoenix in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She is the second-leading scorer in league history and is a five-time league scoring champion, who also owns the second-highest scoring average in WNBA history. Named one of the WNBA’s 15 greatest players of all-time, Taurasi is a seven-time All-Star and an eight-time All-WNBA First Team selection. The longest-tenured player in Mercury history, Taurasi has played more games in a Mercury uniform than anyone else, and leads the franchise in 15 other career statistical categories.

The league’s 2004 Rookie of the Year, Taurasi is one of the sport’s most decorated athletes, whose non-WNBA accolades include three Olympic Gold Medals, six Euroleague titles, three USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year awards, and three NCAA Championships while at the University of Connecticut.

Diana Taurasi made all Arizona fans smile today when she released her statement regarding the contract extension,

"“Why would I ever want to play anywhere else?” said Taurasi. “As a person and a professional, I have a deep connection to this city and this organization. I am happy and feel really good about staying. At All-Star this year, everyone got to see what I see every day: Phoenix is a great basketball community, the Mercury is a first-class organization, and this a family that I’m proud to be a part of. There is no better place to play.”"

Congratulations to you Ms. Taurasi! Thank you for eleven amazing years, and here’s to many more!

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