Diana Taurasi, WNBA legend, recently shattered many hearts when she announced her retirement from the sport last Tuesday. A number of basketball legends reacted to Taurasi’s retirement, including Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm forward. Williams not only plays for Storm in the WNBA, but also the French National Team.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Taurasi led the USA team, while Williams led the French team. The two met in the finals, and played a nail-biting match, with Team USA eventually grabbing the gold medal.
“Honor to have shared the court with you for so many years.” Gabby Williams wrote on her Instagram post honoring Diana Taurasi.
Indeed Williams and Diana Taurasi have played on the hardwood floor way before the Paris Olympics. The two were part of the UConn Huskies when they were in the college basketball years. Even during their WNBA careers, Williams and Taurasi have butted heads a number of times. While Williams is currently playing for the Seattle Storm, Diana Taurasi played her entire WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury.
Diana Taurasi is often called the GOAT in terms of the WNBA, and played for 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury alone. Taurasi was selected as the no. 1 pick in the very first round of the 2004 WNBA draft. In the most recent WNBA season, Taurasi managed an 18.8 point per game average, with 3.9 rebounds and 4.2 helpers in every matchup.
Diana Taurasi Admired By Flau’Jae Johnson In Latest Podcast Episode
Diana Taurasi’s retirement news instigated a flood of stories about her and her influence. Among the story-tellers was LSU Tigers’ Flau’Jae Johnson who spilled some tea on the newly retired WNBA legend in her latest podcast episode.
“I love this lady. We was in Phoenix and she had me by the neck for like 20 minutes. And she was just talking and just uplifting me and telling me all kind of stuff. I was just so grateful and thankful that I kind of got to share that moment with her. She really just sat there and poured into me, and I don’t know how, if she knew how much that meant to me and how much fuel that gave me, and still gives me. Just hearing her talk about me like that.” Flau’Jae Johnson said on her podcast episode, recalling her moment with Taurasi during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.
Johnson went on to state that Taurasi should be named along the likes of NBA legends like LeBron James. In fact, even Magic Johnson’s tribute to Taurasi on her retirement echoed a similar sentiment.
Source: Gabby Williams’ Instagram
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
