Diana Taurasi is planning to return for her 19th WNBA season in 2023.
At an event Saturday, Taurasi told Arizona news station 3TV/CBS 5 that she intends to come back for another season with the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA legend is currently an unrestricted free agent, but she has spent her whole career in Phoenix.
“I started working out so, the minute I start working out, that means I’m all-in,” Taurasi said of her offseason activity. “Like anything, when you get to a certain point in your life and your professional career, you start taking different things into account. Having two kids, a family, you start weighing different things of where your time and energy goes.”
40-year-old Diana Taurasi (who is a free agent) says she's coming back for Year 19 in Phoenix.
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) November 5, 2022
"You know, I started working out, so, the minute I start working out, that means I'm all in. ... I'm ready to bring another championship here." https://t.co/sHY2BNVx9z pic.twitter.com/7mPWGDyRZ5
Last season, the 40-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. While the Mercury managed to make their way into the postseason, Taurasi missed the playoffs due to a quad injury, and Phoenix fell in the first round to the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces.
Taruasi wants to bring another championship to Phoenix before she retires, she said Saturday.
“I’m lucky to have an amazing family that are always pushing me to do what I love to do, and that’s to play basketball,” Taurasi said. “I’m ready to bring another championship here.”
Taurasi was appearing at a court refurbishment dedication in Phoenix, which was sponsored by the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. The Foundation honors Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020.