Athletes - Diana Taurasi

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	Athletes - Diana Taurasi

Diana Lurena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982 in Chino, California) is a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

College years

After having a very notable high school career, Taurasi began to play for the University of Connecticut (UConn) women's basketball team during the 2000-2001 season. She led her team to three straight NCAA championships, the last one coming in the 2003-2004 season. In Connecticut, Taurasi was admired by many fans. Taurasi won the 2003 Naismith Award and College Player of the Year Awards.

WNBA career

In April 2004, Taurasi was the first pick overall in the WNBA Draft to the Phoenix Mercury, a team that had earned the first selection at the draft with an 8-26 won-loss record in the 2003 season. Soon after, she began to build a supportive fan base in Phoenix as she had in Connecticut. She had 26 points and led the Mercury to an 84-76 victory over the Seattle Storm in her debut as a WNBA player.

Taurasi wears number 3, the number she wore at UConn, with the Mercury. Her jersey has replaced Michele Timms' number 7 jersey as the best-selling Mercury jersey as of 2004.

In September 2004, she was awarded with the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

International career

On June 19, 2004, she was selected to represent the United States with the US women's national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. That night, she scored 22 points against fellow national team member Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks, but could not prevent a 76-74 Mercury defeat. Taurasi would help the national team win the Olympic gold medal in 2004.

Trivia

Taurasi's father (a former professional football (soccer) goalkeeper) is a native of Italy, while her mother is from Argentina.

Vital statistics

Position: Guard
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. / 1.83 m
College: University of Connecticut
Team(s): Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)

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