Diana Taurasi seems like she by no means desires to retire.
Taurasi, forward of what’s going to be her nineteenth WNBA season this summer season, is already trying ahead to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Whereas that’s nonetheless 17 months away, and Taurasi can be 42 by the point these Video games kick off, Taurasi isn’t ruling it out.
“It’s one thing that’s on my radar,” Taurasi stated Tuesday after USA Basketball coaching camp in Minnesota, via The Associated Press. “I’m nonetheless aggressive, nonetheless pushed, nonetheless need to play. I nonetheless love being part of USA Basketball.”
Taurasi made her Olympic debut in 2004, the place she helped lead the US to a gold medal in Athens. Since then, Taurasi and the Individuals have gained 4 straight — together with ultimately yr’s rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo. The U.S. beat Japan 90-75 within the gold medal sport in Japan to go an ideal 6-0 on the video games.
She’s gained three gold medals on the FIBA World Cup, too, although she missed final yr’s occasion in Australia as a consequence of a quad pressure.
Whereas the Olympics are nonetheless a methods off, and Taurasi must retire from the sport finally, a sixth gold medal would break her tie with Sue Chicken and set a brand new Group USA document ought to they win in Paris subsequent summer season.
“If the chance involves play and be part of it, it is one thing I’ve all the time taken a whole lot of delight in,” Taurasi stated, via The Associated Press. “Whenever you get to my age at this level in my profession, you simply attempt to win day by day. Proper now, it is a good alternative to be a part of this group transferring ahead. We’ll see what occurs.”
Diana Taurasi eyeing reunion with Brittney Griner
Taurasi is presently a free agent within the WNBA, however she’s anticipated to signal a deal to return to the Phoenix Mercury. She averaged 16.7 factors, 3.8 assists and three.4 rebounds final season.
A part of signing with the Mercury once more would seemingly imply reuniting with Brittney Griner, who was free of after spending 10 months in a Russian prison last year. Griner has vowed to return to play again in 2023.
Taurasi was one in all lots across the league who constantly advocated for Griner’s launch. Attending to see her once more after that ordeal, Taurasi stated Tuesday, was extremely emotional.
“I am not an individual who lives in a pretend world of optimism … I assumed it could be a very long time earlier than I noticed my pal once more,” Taurasi stated, via Winsidr’s Myles Ehrlich. “Each single day, we suffered. Not till I noticed her did I imagine it. Simply to see her smile was emotional for everybody.”
