| Net Worth | $3.7 Million |
| Birthdate | Jun 11, 1982 |
| Birthplace | Glendale |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Profession | Athlete & Basketball player |
| Nationality | United States of America |
What is Diana Taurasi Net Worth?
Diana Taurasi is a renowned professional basketball player with a net value pegged at somewhere around $3.7 million. Taurasi has lived, or rather carved, her name within the circles of basketball in almost all avenues.
Taurasi’s journey to basketball stardom commenced in 2004 when she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury. Remarkably, in her rookie year, she would help lead the Mercury to a WNBA title, firming up their status as one of the few players to have won a WNBA championship, NCAA title, and Olympic Gold Medal representing the U.S. in the Women’s National Basketball League. Taurasi, throughout her career, has been honored: the most outstanding player of the NCAA Tournament, the best rookie of the WNBA, the most valuable player of the WNBA, and the most outstanding scorer of the WNBA. It displayed the skill and toughness in August 2023 when Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 points in a career.
But her strengths and talents were not just limited to domestically. From 2006 to 2010, she played yet again in another powerhouse in Europe, Spartak Moscow, where undoubtedly she again contributed to their four consecutive Euroleague championship run.
Salary
Diana Taurasi is currently the highest-earning player in the WNBA, commanding a salary of $221,000. But during off-seasons, her earnings will accrue to more than $1 million per season through mining, whereby she is overseas playing for Russian teams.
Early Life
Born June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California, Diana Taurasi grew up in Chino with an older sister, Jessika.
Her father, Mario, was from Argentina and played professional soccer in Italy. Her mother, Liliana, was from Argentina and had immigrated to the United States with Mario shortly before Diana was born. Growing up, Taurasi attended Don Antonio Lugo High School, where her basketball prowess became evident. She was also saluted in the basketball world for her performance with the Cheryl Miller Award of 2000, and after two years, she was entitled to being the “Parade Magazine” National High School Player of the Year.
She was named the MVP for the game in the WBCA High School All-America and ranks number four in California State History for overall scoring. After high school, Taurasi went on to play further basketball at the University of Connecticut, where in great leadership, they won three straight NCAA championships. During her UConn career, she finished with many accolades, such as the 2003 and 2004 Honda Sports Award, and also the 2003 Associated Press Player of the Year. Her exceptional talent had also been recognized by the state of Connecticut when State Senator Thomas Gaffey had to make a special congratulatory speech for the miraculous qualities of Inna.
Career
Diana Taurasi was the first pick overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury after her college career was over. The prior season for the team had been a rough one, as they posted a disappointing 8-26 record. Taurasi set off in her debut game with 22 points, maintaining a 17-point average through the season. Although the Mercury did not advance to the playoffs, Taurasi was rewarded by being selected into the Western Conference All-Star team for her brilliant play and the revered WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The following season, Taurasi would have to deal with the difficulty of an ankle injury and was only able to score an average of 16 points per game. Even with All-Star Taurasi, the Mercury again could not improve overall team play into playoff contention. The Mercury was in for a very different season. They added promising rookie Cappie Pondexter to the squad and appointed former NBA coach Paul Westhead as head coach. With Taurasi, Pondexter, and established star Penny Taylor, the Mercury had high expectations for the upcoming season.
The 2006 season proved to be historic for Taurasi, flourishing under Westhead’s guidance. That season, she would lead the league in scoring and it would be a record for most points in one season. Taurasi showed that she is brilliant at 25. The high point of that season had her score a career-high 47 points in a triple-overtime game against the Houston Comets. She also set an all-time WNBA record with 121 three-pointers in one season. Despite Taurasi’s stellar performance, the Mercury still fell short of playoff qualification.
The turning point was the arrival of the 2007 season when finally, the Mercury could confirm participation in the playoffs of WNBA, following up to the finals to compete with the then defending champion, the Detroit Shock, thanks to the trio of Taurasi, Taylor, and Pondexter. The Mercury enjoyed another successful season in 2009 as they returned to the finals and were once again crowned champions, with Taurasi again awarded the Finals WNBA MVP. She became the second player ever to hold a season scoring title, season MVP award, WNBA Championship, and finals MVP all in the same season.
Throughout her WNBA career, Taurasi has remained loyal to the Mercury despite occasional setbacks due to injuries. In 2012, injuries kept her in just eight games, and a strained hip flexor eventually led her to be unable to play in the rest of the season. Her absence did not improve the status of the Mercury, though, who completed the season in the second-to-last position with a 7-27 record. However, Taurasi made a triumphant return in 2013, leading the team to the playoffs.
She signed a multi-year contract extension with the Mercury in May 2017. The signing of the contract came on the heels of making history as the first player in league history to surpass 7,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 1,500 assists. She would then become the all-time leading scorer of the WNBA later that same month.
Besides such WNBA achievements, Taurasi has had an opportunity to represent the United States in Women’s Olympic Basketball Teams, with whom they have won gold medals at the Olympics held in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. Taurasi has found equal success in her foreign escapades, particularly with Russian and Turkish teams. Taurasi was noted to play on a regular basis for Russian and Turkish teams during the offseasons, next to her WNBA player profile. Balancing commitments in both the U.S. and Europe was manageable due to the alternate However, in 2015, the UMMC Ekaterinburg team from Russia paid Taurasi not to play for the season in the quest of rest for her to give the best in the chase for a European championship. In 2017, Taurasi would finally lay down her European career, leaving behind a trail of excellence that shone both in the United States and across the Atlantic.
Personal Life
Taurasi married Penny Taylor after an 8-year courtship; they had been teammates before and their pairing was an interesting one now that Taylor moved from the bench to become the Director of Player Development and Performance for the Phoenix Mercury. Their wedding took place on May 13, 2017, and already in the next interview for the magazine “People,” the athletes confessed how happy they were. This couple’s happiness doubled after Taylor gave birth to their son in March 2018, whom they named Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor.
In October 2021, anticipation filled the air as Taylor awaited the arrival of their second child, a daughter. But the baby was not privileged to choose this way of being born and, as one would guess, made the entrance in the worst possible time—right at the moment when Taurasi was getting ready for her winner-take-all Game 5, having to advance to the 2021 WNBA Finals. But Taurasi does not succumb to pressure and won the game. With the game hers, she hurried off back to Taylor to be there for the arrival of their first daughter.
FAQ about Diana Taurasi Net Worth
- What is Diana Taurasi net worth?
- Diana Taurasi net worth is estimated to be $3.7 million.
- What are some of Diana Taurasi’s notable achievements in basketball?
- Diana Taurasi has achieved remarkable success in basketball, including winning multiple WNBA championships, NCAA titles, and Olympic gold medals. She has also received numerous accolades such as the WNBA Most Valuable Player award and the WNBA Scoring Champion title.
- Where did Diana Taurasi play basketball professionally?
- Taurasi began her professional career with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA in 2004. She has also played for international teams such as UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia and has had significant success both domestically and internationally.
- What is Diana Taurasi’s salary in the WNBA?
- Diana Taurasi commands the highest salary in the WNBA, currently earning $221,000. However, her earnings significantly increase when she plays for Russian teams overseas, where she earns well over $1 million per season.
- Can you provide some information about Diana Taurasi’s early life?
- Diana Taurasi was born on June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California. She grew up in Chino alongside her older sister, Jessika. Taurasi attended Don Antonio Lugo High School, where she gained recognition for her basketball skills, eventually earning several prestigious awards and accolades.
- What are some of Diana Taurasi’s career highlights?
- Throughout her career, Taurasi has achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first WNBA player to surpass 10,000 career points in August 2023. She has also excelled internationally, winning multiple Olympic gold medals with the United States Women’s Basketball Team.
- How has Diana Taurasi balanced her personal and professional life?
- Despite the demands of her basketball career, Diana Taurasi has managed to maintain a fulfilling personal life. She married former teammate Penny Taylor in 2017, and the couple welcomed their son, Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor, in 2018. Taurasi has demonstrated her dedication both on and off the court, exemplified by her commitment to her team and her family, as seen when she balanced a crucial WNBA playoff game with the birth of her daughter in 2021.
Diana Taurasi Social Media Account
Quick Summary
- Diana Taurasi, a prominent professional basketball player, Diana Taurasi net worth is estimated to be $3.7 million. It all started for her with the Phoenix Mercury back in 2004 and, much like the previous place of activity in Russia, it was a really important stage that determined the further development of the career of the young basketball player. Among the awards of Taurasi are the WNBA titles, Olympic golds, and highly acclaimed awards such as the WNBA Most Valuable Player. She also gave a big contribution to the European team, most particularly to Spartak Moscow, where their team reigned for four consecutive Euroleague championships. It was her versatility and ability to score the ball that made Tarsi one of the greatest ever to play the game. Away from the hardwood, life for Taurasi is no different. In 2017, she married her former teammate, Penny Taylor. The couple was blessed with a son, Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor, in the year 2018. A daughter was born in the family in 2021. Taurasi’s commitment to her team was noted when she managed to balance her team’s important WNBA playoff game with giving birth to her daughter, showing that she was game to become a parent and be a player. That speaks more than anything to her hard work and dedication, long turned into a basketball legend, on and off the court.
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