WNBA Icon Diana Taurasi receives ESPY honor ahead of docuseries release in August
WNBA legend and 11-time All-Star Diana Taurasi was honored at the 2025 ESPY Awards on Wednesday. She received the prestigious Icon Award alongside United States women's national team star Alex Morgan, celebrating their outstanding careers and profound influence on global sport.
The honor comes ahead of Taurasi's documentary release which is set to stream on Prime Video in August.
Golden words for Diana Taurasi at ESPY awards
After accepting the award on stage, Diana Taurasi was surprised with a video message from college basketball star Paige Bueckers. 'Dee is unapologetically herself,' Bueckers said. '… Dee, because of you, I can be an (expletive) and be proud of it.'
Taurasi, who led the Phoenix Mercury to three WNBA titles, was also named the 2009 league MVP.
She is a two-time WNBA Finals MVP and an 11-time All-Star.
Speaking on the red carpet before the ceremony, Taurasi reflected on her journey: 'Whatever you do in life, you want to leave it in better hands,' she said. '… I'm actually busier now than when I was playing, so I have to figure that out. … I don't miss one thing about it.'
During her acceptance speech, Taurasi expressed gratitude for those who supported her along the way.
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'We have to thank our families, my family, Alex's family; they're who believed in us before anyone else did,' said Taurasi, who was accompanied by her wife, Penny Taylor. And in my case, I want to celebrate my parents and their immigrant grit. That's the stuff that doesn't show up in the highlight reels, but it shows up when the lights go off, when you're still out there grinding,' she said.
'They gave me a better life, that's built what my career is and built this country.
And now to the next generation, keep going. Don't wait for someone to hand you anything. Outwork them. Be loyal. Bring that damn fire every day. We're proof you can do it. We did it and we did it our way, no shortcuts, no apologies and no regrets,' she added.
Diana Taurasi's documentary lined up for release
Diana Taurasi wrapped up her remarkable 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury and will now be featured in a new documentary chronicling her storied journey. Titled Taurasi, the documentary is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on August 7.
The Phoenix Mercury announced the news via Instagram on July 16, posting: "Only legends change the game. Taurasi premieres August 7 on Prime Video." The WNBA quickly responded in the comments, writing: 'can't wait.'
Diana Taurasi's remarkable WNBA career
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history, Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA's GOAT by fans in 2021. She retired as the league's all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points and ranked fourth in assists with 2,394.
A three-time WNBA champion and two-time Finals MVP, Taurasi also won three NCAA titles with UConn. On the international stage, she claimed six Olympic gold medals – Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.
Diana Taurasi was also known as a trash talker during her time in the WNBA
Diana Taurasi once delivered a savage one-liner to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green during the height of his team's dynasty. As detailed in a TIME article announcing Taurasi's retirement, the moment took place during the 2016 Rio Olympics, when the U.S.
men's and women's basketball teams were staying together on a cruise ship. One evening, while players from both squads were hanging out and exchanging some good-natured trash talk, Taurasi didn't hold back.
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'Draymond Green, a noted NBA rabble-rouser known more for his defensive instincts, physicality, passing skills, and penchant for drawing technical fouls and suspensions than his shooting and scoring ability, was going on about something,' wrote TIME's Sean Gregory. 'Taurasi said, 'Hey, Draymond, how does it feel to be the only person in this room who's never been double-teamed?'' he revealed.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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