Diana Taurasi announces her retirement!

[Sifaka]

One report includes some UConn context.

UConn players in the WNBA: Taurasi, Stewart, Bird, more

Diana Taurasi is one of many UConn stars to successfully transition to the WNBA. Check out stats on top players now.

abc7ny.com

 

[LesMis89]

A cherished memory is how excited we on the board all were when the kid from Chino committed to UConn. It was well known her parents weren't thrilled at the idea of her playing at a school so far away, particularly her mother, but Diana prevailed.

She usually did.

Enjoy your next chapter, GOAT!

 

[uconnfan68]

Someone please post my favorite photo of DT, at Cameron Indoor, after torching Duke, despite the constant harassment of the Duke fans. Upon leaving the game, DT put her hand up to her ear, as if talking into a phone, turned and smiled at the Cameron Crazies and shouted out, “Call me!”

My very favorite memory of the GOAT.

One of my favorites too. I have a lot of favorites of her though.

 

[Dillon77]

Initially posted this on the general board, but wanted to go "on record" on the DT thread.

Congratulations on a spectacular career full of achievements on so many levels: collegiately, professionally in the States and overseas and for the U.S.A. International team.

She played and talked hard on the court, which opponents might hate (at least initially) but most teammates cherished and everyone ultimately respected. When she was in her prime (which lasted a hell of a long time), she was a three-level scorer and exceedingly competent floor leader when needed, as well as good rebounder. Could run and gun or get in a rock fight of a game. Didn't matter...she adjusted.

Hope she enjoys whatever challenges she decides to pursue next.

Now that she's retired, the Huskies (in the) WNBA leadership mantle is completely passed to Stewie and Napheesa Collier.

 

[Blueballer]

One thing that I wish we could have seen were some of those championships her and Sue got for that Russian team. IMO in their prime they played some of their best basketball together over there. Would have been nice to see that.

 

[cabbie191]

I told my wife about the announcement and that led to a discussion on her next steps. I opined that I’m not certain about whether she would be a good coach, to which my bride said: “I’d like to see her either in ownership or as a GM. She’ll have more impact that way.”

There’s a reason why I’m lucky to be married to her!

 

[Surly1]

The best compliment I can give Diana is I always considered her the female Larry Bird. Like Larry, DT was much-watch TV. Each had supreme confidence in their ability, talked absolute "smack" on the court, were consummate team players but knew when to take charge, and they were winners - wanting the ball when games were tight, willing to take the last shot. While Di is probably better known for wicked sense of humor, Larry was no slouch either.

Can't wait to see Diana and Sue do their thing at the Final Four.

 

[uconnfan68]

I told my wife about the announcement and that led to a discussion on her next steps. I opined that I’m not certain about whether she would be a good coach, to which my bride said: “I’d like to see her either in ownership or as a GM. She’ll have more impact that way.”

There’s a reason why I’m lucky to be married to her!

I think that’s what Dee was leaning to.

 

[JellyBean]

Good call. A great career. One of the all-time greats of the game. UConn Legend.

 

[Conndog]

My favorite play of hers is the NCAA tournament game in 2002 (I think) against Oklahoma. With the game getting tight but UConn still holding onto the lead, Diana had the ball and teammates cleared way so she could go 1 on 1 with defender. Look up game on YouTube and go to 1:45 left in game. Diane backs down the defender, no mystery to what she was doing, but she couldn’t be stopped- she gained an advantage, made a shot and was fouled by Oklahoma’s star Stacy Dales who fouled out on the play. That ended Oklahoma’s chances

 

[CTBballfan243]

DT is the Goat!!!! What a great career.

 

[Henry]

We were at the Final Four in 2004 when Dee punted the ball at the end of the game after defeating Tenn. Great memory.

It was time for her to retire, but there will never be another like her.

 

[MilfordHusky]

…. And The Irish , they get into my last nerve especially the 2001 national semifinal game during Dee’s freshman year , I still can’t get over it ..

Dee did not play well against ND. But Barbara Turner was a leprechaun killer!

 

[Valleyfan]

Dee, thanks so much for taking a chance and leaving Chino for Connecticut! What a ride! It always brought a smile when I heard “We have Diana and you don’t”. So glad we had her and her being a great ambassador for the game.

 

[Vowelguy]

Lmao

 

[hookshot]

My favorite play of hers is the NCAA tournament game in 2002 (I think) against Oklahoma. With the game getting tight but UConn still holding onto the lead, Diana had the ball and teammates cleared way so she could go 1 on 1 with defender. Look up game on YouTube and go to 1:45 left in game. Diane backs down the defender, no mystery to what she was doing, but she couldn’t be stopped- she gained an advantage, made a shot and was fouled by Oklahoma’s star Stacy Dales who fouled out on the play. That ended Oklahoma’s chances

I and my wife were there for that one. Ironically shared an elevator ride at the hotel with Stacy Hansmeyer, who was an asst. coach at Oklahoma at the time

 

[jdote33]

Honestly she's a big reason y I'm a UConn fan. My older brother is an alum and went to school during her years. He would talk about how great she was. I started watching her every chance I got, which was a bit limited without cable and not living in the area. Anyways when she turned pro I was fully on board. I was a stan. I got older and I was less of a fanatic but always pulled for her teams. I'm still a bit bummed that they lost in the finals in 21. Anyways to me, she was like LeBron but replace his athleticism with shooting, and replace his friendly on court demeanor with the opposite of a friendly on court demeanor. I remember times where she got into it with Svetlana abrosimova in Europe and im confused, double checking while it's happening like I'm 99 percent sure they were teammates and had a good relationship .lol. I've even seen her be a little opposite of friendly to Sue Bird on the court. I know ppl her call her the goat.. but I actually think ppl don't understand how good she was. Like I think we could talk about more. She basically played 3 positions flawlessly. Like she won her first title as a 3. Her second title she was kind of a 3 but I actually like to think of her as a 2. This was her MVP year . Then she won her last title as a point guard. I don't think ppl do this. Lol, besides LeBron . And I could see Paige or Caitlin doing something similar. Lastly I agree with the notion that we don't know about or factor in her overseas play enough. Russia, Turkey etc. Not to start anything but I do sometimes think the year she took off was a bit of bad timing.

 

[robert]

Dee did not play well against ND. But Barbara Turner was a leprechaun killer!

I guess Barbara Turner was not in the team at that time , Barbara came to UConn when Dee was a junior ..

 

[Kat]

After a poor shooting performance in UConn's 2001 Final Four loss to Notre Dame, Taurasi vowed "We will not lose another tournament game while I'm wearing this uniform." They proceeded to win three straight national titles, and 18 straight tourney wins. Leading up to the final championship, her coach, Geno Auriemma, would declare his likelihood of winning with the claim, "We have Diana, and you don't." --Wikipedia