Latest news with #Taurasi
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WNBA Icon Diana Taurasi receives ESPY honor ahead of docuseries release in August
Diana Taurasi receives ESPY honour (Image credit: Getty Images) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo '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. Also Read: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivers a heartwarming speech while accepting 2025 ESPYS' Best Male Athlete Award '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!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WNBA 'Can't Wait' for Original Diana Taurasi Series
WNBA 'Can't Wait' for Original Diana Taurasi Series originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The WNBA is buzzing with excitement for an upcoming documentary series that celebrates one of its greatest players. Titled simply "Taurasi," the series will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on August 7, spotlighting the iconic 20-year career of Diana Taurasi, the league's all-time leading scorer and a trailblazer in women's basketball. The announcement was made on Instagram by Sports on Prime, with the caption: 'Only legends change the game. Taurasi premieres August 7 on Prime Video.' 'Can't wait!' the official WNBA account quickly commented. Taurasi, 43, retired in February 2025, closing an extraordinary chapter with the Phoenix Mercury, the only team she played for since being drafted first overall in 2004. Over two decades, she won three WNBA championships, was named Rookie of the Year, selected for 11 All-Star Games, earned one league MVP and became the first player to score over 10,000 career points. The Mercury officially confirmed the documentary's release on July 16, calling it a celebration of an unmatched legacy. Taurasi not only leads in total points but also in three-pointers made and ranks fourth all-time in assists. Beyond the WNBA, Taurasi is also a six-time Olympic gold medalist, a record she shares with teammate Sue Bird. Most recently, she added another milestone to her legacy by receiving the 2025 ESPYS Icon Award, an honor she shared with soccer star Alex Morgan. During the awards, Taurasi gave an emotional speech highlighting her immigrant roots and encouraging the next generation of athletes. 'Keep going, don't wait for someone to hand you anything, outwork them, be loyal, bring that damn fire every day,' she said. 'We did it our way. No shortcuts, no apologies and no regrets.' While she may have left the court, Taurasi's commitment to growing the game continues. She is launching the Snow Valley Basketball Camp in partnership with US Sports Camps from July 24–27 in California, where young girls will have a chance to learn directly from her. As the WNBA prepares for the release of "Taurasi," it's clear her influence stretches far beyond the box scores. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Simone Biles wins two ESPYS, beating out Stephen Curry, Freddie Freeman and Rory McIlroy
Simone Biles won two trophies at the ESPYS on Wednesday night, including the women's best athlete award. The 11-time Olympic medalist claimed the night's first award, best championship performance, for her efforts at the Paris Games. She won three golds and a silver while helping the U.S. women's gymnasts win their first team title since 2016. 'That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men,' Biles said after kissing husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. She beat out Stephen Curry, Freddie Freeman and Rory McIlroy. Biles' Olympic teammate, Sunisa Lee, won the best comeback award for overcoming two rare kidney diseases. She brought one of her doctors to the show. Comedian Shane Gillis' opening monologue as host of the show that honours the past year's top athletes and sports moments went over awkwardly. Early on, he called out various famous faces in the Dolby Theatre crowd, including retired WNBA star Diana Taurasi, who shared the Icon Award. Gillis said, 'Give it up for her' after calling her 'Deanna.' The camera showed an unsmiling Taurasi shaking her head. Gillis quickly caught his mistake, saying, 'My bad on that.' Taurasi and U.S. national women's football team star Alex Morgan shared the Icon Award in recognition of their careers and major impact on sports. The women touched their trophies together in a toast. 'Our mission has always been very similar,' Morgan said. 'We fought to leave our game in a better place than where we found it just as a generation before us did. We're standing on the shoulders of giants.' Alex Morgan, left, and Diana Taurasi react as they accept Icon Awards at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: MARK J. TERRILL Taurasi, who retired in February after a 20-year basketball career, mentioned her parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Argentina. She also had words for the next generation. 'Keep going, don't wait for someone to hand you anything, outwork them, be loyal, bring that damn fire every day,' she said. 'We're proof you can do it. We did it our way. No shortcuts, no apologies, and no regrets.' An emotional Katie Schumacher-Cawley accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance with her husband and children joining in the standing ovation. The Penn State women's volleyball coach was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in September. She continued coaching without missing a practice and became the first woman to guide a team to the NCAA national championship. 'Cancer changed my life but it didn't take it. It didn't take my belief, it didn't take my spirit and it didn't take my team,' she said. Basketball player Cameron Boozer and track and field athlete Jane Hedengren were named the Gatorade Best Male and Female Players of the Year. Olympic track champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford revealed the winners from the ESPYS stage. Boozer will be playing at Duke in the fall, following in the collegiate footsteps of his father, Carlos, a former NBA All-Star. The younger Boozer, a 6-foot-10 forward from Miami, Florida, averaged 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals as a senior at Christopher Columbus High. Hedengren will compete for BYU in her hometown of Provo, Utah. The senior at Timpview High won the 3,000 meters at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in a national record of 8 minutes, 40.03 seconds, lowering the old mark by more than 18 seconds. Hedengren also set national prep marks in the mile, 2-mile and 5,000.
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 10
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 10 Show Caption Hide Caption WNBA Draft prospects play start bench cut with Taurasi, Ionescu, Clark Watch 2025 WNBA Draft prospects decide who to start, bench, or cut among Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark. Here is the full WNBA schedule for June 10 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable basketball schedule to filter by team or conference. USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women's sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more all season WNBA schedule today All times Eastern Fever at Dream, 7:30 p.m., WPCH - Peachtree TV, WALV - MeTV Indianapolis, ESPN3 Sky at Liberty, 8 p.m., ESPN Watch WNBA games all season long with Fubo (free trial). WNBA scores and results See scores, results for all the games listed above See WNBA scores, results from June 9
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 17
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 17 Show Caption Hide Caption WNBA Draft prospects play start bench cut with Taurasi, Ionescu, Clark Watch 2025 WNBA Draft prospects decide who to start, bench, or cut among Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark. Here is the full WNBA schedule for June 17 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable basketball schedule to filter by team or conference. USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women's sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more all season WNBA schedule today All times Eastern Sun at Fever, 7 p.m., NBA TV, WALV - MeTV Indianapolis, NBC Sports Boston Dream at Liberty, 7 p.m., WWOR - My9, WPCH - Peachtree TV Mystics at Sky, 8 p.m., WCIU - The U, WCIU - The U, Monumental Sports Network Valkyries at Wings, 8 p.m., KFAA 29, KPIX - CBS News Bay Area, KMAX 31 Aces at Lynx, 8 p.m., KMCC - The Spot Vegas 34, FanDuel Sports North Storm at Sparks, 10 p.m., KUNS - CW Seattle, Spectrum SportsNet Watch WNBA games all season long with Fubo (free trial). WNBA scores and results See scores, results for all the games listed above See WNBA scores, results from June 16
