Diana Taurasi doesn’t think she ever wants to retire.
Taurasi, ahead of her 19th WNBA season this summer, is already looking forward to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
While that’s still 17 months away, and Taurasi will be 42 by the time those Games start, Taurasi isn’t ruling it out.
“It’s something that’s been on my radar,” Taurasi said Tuesday after USA Basketball’s training camp in Minnesota. via the associated press, “I’m still competitive, still motivated, still want to play. I still love being a part of USA Basketball.
Taurasi made his Olympic debut in 2004, where he helped lead the United States to the gold medal in Athens. Since then, Taurasi and the Americans have won four straight — including last year’s rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo. The United States went a perfect 6–0 at the Games, defeating Japan 90–75 in the gold medal game.
She also won three gold medals at the FIBA World Cup, although she missed the previous year’s event in Australia due to a quad strain.
While the Olympics are still a ways off, and Taurasi will eventually have to retire from the sport, a sixth gold medal would break her tie with Sue Bird and set a new Team USA record, should they win in Paris next summer.
Taurasi said, “If there’s a chance to play and be a part of it, it’s something I’ve always been very proud of.” via the associated press, “When you get to my age at this point in my career, you just try to win every day. It’s a good opportunity to be part of this team right now, moving forward we’ll see what happens.”
Diana Taurasi eyes reunion with Brittany Griner
Taurasi is currently a free agent in the WNBA, but is expected to sign a deal to return to the WNBA. Phoenix Mercury, He averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season.
Re-signing with Mercury would mean reuniting with Brittany Griner, who was later released. spent 10 months in a Russian prison last year, Griner has vowed to play again in 2023,
Taurasi was one of many around the league who consistently advocated for Griner’s release. Seeing her again after that harrowing ordeal, Taurasi said Tuesday, was incredibly emotional.
“I’m not a person who lives in a fake world of optimism … I thought it would be a long time before I would see my friend again,” Taurasi said. WinSiders via Miles Erlich, “Every single day, we were suffering. I didn’t believe it until I saw her. Just seeing her smile was emotional for everyone.”