Diana Taurasi’s storied basketball career has taken her all around the world.
Hailing from Chino, Calif., she played four years at the University of Connecticut before going on to spend 20 years in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury.
She also had an extensive career overseas playing in Russia and Turkey and played in Olympic Games that spanned Europe, South America and Asia.
But this past weekend was the first time Taurasi has made the trip to Canada.
In Montreal as part of NBA House - an immersive fan experience celebrating the 2026 NBA Finals - this year’s event included a WNBA Champions Lounge with Taurasi on hand to celebrate the league’s historic expansion into Canada.
Taurasi says being part of the weekend’s festivities, which included interacting with fans, has helped her realize the impact she’s had on the game.
“There’s still nothing like walking to a space and someone has your jersey on,” Taurasi told TSN.ca in an interview on Sunday afternoon. “I think when you’re playing, you take it for granted a little bit, because you’re just so focused on the game, and your preparation, but as you get older, you can look back on the impact that you had.”
The 43-year-old officially retired in February of 2025 as one of the most accomplished players to ever pick up a basketball. She won three NCAA national championships, three WNBA titles, six Olympic gold medals, and is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points.
Taurasi’s appearance in Montreal comes at a time where interest in women’s basketball is at an all-time high in Canada.
The Toronto Tempo debuted this season as the first-ever WNBA franchise in Canada, and big crowds have turned up to watch the team go 6-5 in its first 11 games.
Taurasi played from 2004 to 2024, and there was very little WNBA expansion in her career. The Chicago Sky joined in 2006, and the Atlanta Dream arrived two years later in 2008, while the Dallas Wings (2016) and Las Vegas Aces (2018) relocated to their current markets.
Since Taurasi retired, the Golden State Valkyries debuted in 2025 with the Tempo and Portland Fire currently in the midst of their first seasons. Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) are the next expansion teams scheduled to arrive.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Taurasi of expansion. “I think the more basketball we can play around the country and around the world, the better. I’ve always said the talent has always been there. We needed the opportunity, and now there’s more opportunity to play, especially here in the U.S. and Canada with the Tempo, and hopefully into the future with more teams here in Canada.
“I think there’s an appetite for it. The fandom has expanded. It’s really incredible to see, when you spend 20 years with one team in one business, you always want to leave it better than when you found it. So, it’s definitely in good hands.”
Taurasi remains close with Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello, who she played for in Phoenix for eight seasons, winning a title together in 2014. She also had current Tempo players Kia Nurse and Isabelle Harrison as teammates in Phoenix and cites general manager Monica Wright Rogers as a good friend.
“The Tempo are so lucky to have a championship coach like Sandy,” said Taurasi. “No one puts a team together like she can, brings out the best in talent, and to be able to get Marina [Mabrey] and Brittney [Sykes], and to get Kiki [Rice] and Kia [Nurse].
“Toronto definitely showed out with their hirings and really put a lot of thought into the future of their team.”
Despite rapid expansion and a new landmark seven-year collective bargaining agreement, which included yearly salaries skyrocketing to the $1 million mark for max deals, Taurasi said she is comfortable being retired.
“It wasn’t [about] the money, it wasn’t [about] the popularity or the fame, it was how much basketball can I play for as long as I can, and I’m really proud of that,” said Taurasi of her career.
One thing Taurasi wishes she had done in her career is play against Paige Bueckers, a fellow UConn alum who went first overall to Dallas in 2025.
“I love watching her play,” said Taurasi of Bueckers. “I love everything she does. I love how she makes every single person on the court a better basketball player, and she doesn’t have to score a single point. I think that is just an amazing attribute that she has.
“And she talks a lot of s--t, so I would love to play against her.”
Taurasi said the past couple of years have been an opportunity for her to explore other interests outside of basketball and has learned a lot about what she likes and doesn’t like.
“Tennis has always been this little passion that I’ve loved, so I play a lot of tennis, a lot of golf,” said Taurasi. “I drink way too much coffee during the day. I enjoy architecture, so I’ve been diving into some architecture in Phoenix and different mid-century Frank Lloyd Wright establishments. I keep myself busy.”
For Taurasi, the best part about retirement is the ability to be at home with her family, which includes wife Penny Taylor, who was also Taurasi’s teammate in Phoenix for 10 seasons, and their two children, Leo and Isla.
Taurasi is enjoying the little things like being able to take her kids to school and practices.
“When you’re full on in your career, you’re so focused on the game, being prepared for the next game, who you’re playing the next game,” said Taurasi. “You don’t ever really, fully realize that you’re there, you’re present. I was always looking forward to the next season, to the next training camp, to the next plane I had to be on.
“It’s been so nice to be home and present with the kids and Penny, and she’s just such an amazing partner to have. Anything I ever needed to be ready on the court, she was willing to sacrifice.”
