Diana Taurasi. starting 20th WNBA season, on Candace Parker, Caitlin Clark, more

By Jeff Metcalfe

Less than an hour after Candace Parker announced her retirement Sunday, Diana Taurasi began what will be her 20^th season in the WNBA.

Taurasi turns 42 in June and is the league’s oldest player and only 10,000-point scorer.

Parker is retiring at 38 after 16 WNBA seasons and three championships including 2021 against the Mercury and Taurasi.

“What an incredible career,” Taurasi said before the Mercury departed for San Diego where they will train through Thursday. “I played with Candace on the national team, in Russia, obviously in the WNBA. The way she changed basketball at her size (6-4) really opened up the door to seeing a new way of playing especially on the women’s side.

“She’s done some things not many people even dream of doing. What she’s doing on the other side too, being on TNT and opening all those opportunities for women. She’s really a trail blazer in a lot of ways.”

Taurasi and Parker were gold medal-winning teammates on the U.S. 2008 and 2012 Olympics teams. They also played together for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia from 2012-15.

Taurasi also is a three-time WNBA champion, still hunting for a fourth and first since 2014. She is expected to play in a record-setting sixth Olympics this summer in Paris.

“It’s been amazing to see her work,” first-year Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. “I’m so thankful and glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to see the greatest ever, how she works each day. She’s a culture setter for how she goes about her business. It’s a great thing for our young players to see. She’s had a tremendous off season. She’s ready to have an unbelievable year.”

That is contingent on staying healthy and Taurasi meshing with new back-court teammates Natasha Cloud, signed as a free agent, and Kahleah Copper, acquired in a trade with Chicago.

“I’ve known Tasha for a long time,” Taurasi said. “She’s always been one of my favorites to play against. There’s certain people you know compete a certain way no matter what the score is, and she’s one of those players. To bring that energy to our team and that type of competitiveness is going to move the needle for us.

“Kah is so dynamic. There’s not many players in the world like her at her size (6-1). I got to know her pretty well through USA (Basketball) camps. There is a certain seriousness about her that’s scary for everyone else, and I like it.”

If Taurasi is selected for the Paris Olympics, she will become the first six-time U.S. women’s basketball Olympian, surpassing five-timers Teresa Edwards and Sue Bird.

“I always say when the phone call pops up, I always answer USA Basketball,” Taurasi said. “It’s a privilege and honor to put that jersey on. To do all the camps this off season, it’s kept me nice and motivated and six would be a dream come true.”

Taurasi made her first Olympic team as a WNBA rookie in 2004, something Caitlin Clark has a chance to do this year depending on how her early pro play goes with the Indiana Fever.

Expanding on comments made during the NCAA Final Four about the college career scoring leader, Taurasi said, “It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment. When you go from high school to college. I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct (about Clark’s learning curve).

“Like anything, greatness is going to translate. She’s proven that in every level, and I don’t see it being any different in the WNBA.”