“I never need to be motivated to be on the court — that comes naturally to me.”

“Sometimes you need to step away from the game.”

“When they say my name, I want them to say the Phoenix Mercury and vice versa.”

“The year‑round nature of women’s basketball takes its toll.”

“I always wanted to be a dentist.”

“I played because I love to compete.”

“You have to be relentless in your pursuit of excellence.”

“Fear of not being good drives me every day.”

“Continue to push even when the doubt creeps in.”

“Hard work every day is what separates the best.”

“I’ve always loved passing the basketball.”

“Take advantage of opportunities while you have them.”

“Play through adversity and learn from every challenge.”

“There’s nothing like the energy of competition.”

“Success is a product of consistency, not luck.”

“Lead with strength but stay true to who you are.”

“The one thing I’ve learned from other great players is you are what you do every single day.”

“I go to sleep every single night thinking I’m not good enough … I have a fear of not being good, and I don’t like that.”

“I didn’t set out to win Olympic medals, to play at UConn, to play in the WNBA. I just loved to play basketball.”

“I think I’ve always been a player who’s better when things are a little bit harder.”

“As a leader, you have to be willing to make those tough decisions and stand by them.”

“You can’t really look forward in life. You have to take it day by day and see what happens.”

“I don’t think I have anything to prove anymore. I’m playing because I love the game.”

“For me, the goal has always been to play on the best team, play against the best competition.”

“For a minute, I did lose my focus … it reminds you how fragile life and one’s career is. If it’s something you love, you should never put it in jeopardy.”

“You have to have people around you that motivate you that you want to play really hard for and always play at the highest level.”

In reflecting on her long career, she said she finds solace in accomplishing things and cutting out “white noise” that doesn’t matter, focusing on family and meaningful tasks.

“I kind of look at it the other way — what it’s given to me, an opportunity to do something I love to do.”

Before a major international tournament: “My biggest asset is a really strong mentality. Win at all cost.”

After a rare international defeat, she referenced that experience as motivation to strengthen her competitive edge.

“I keep coming back, going into the gym every day and getting better … I love coming to work every single day.”

 

Diana Taurasi – Biography

 

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