“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Diana Taurasi told TIME. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.” And with that, one of the greatest WNBA players ever wrapped up a 20-year run with the Phoenix Mercury. Diana Taurasi retires as the league’s all-time leading scorer, a three-time champion, and the ultimate competitor. But her story isn’t just about what she did on the court. It’s also about who she found along the way—former teammate and now wife, Penny Taylor.

Turning towards home was her first thought– plan out the day with her family, be a mom coach for her kids. Evidently, they hold a special space, if not all of it in DT’s life. But how did this family come to be?

How it all started

When Dee was drafted as the no.1 pick in 2004, she had left more than a few excited of her talent. One among them? Penny Taylor. Having joined the Mercury the same year, she was intrigued to meet the star rookie and let’s just say, she wasn’t disappointed. Taurasi’s greeting was so enthusiastic, it caught Taylor by surprise.

“It’s an instant thing,” she had said. “You just feel like a part of her family the minute you meet her.  … It was just kind of shocking, in a way, to see someone who was that energetic and dynamic.” 

Taylor would be on and off the franchise for nine years, managing to win three WNBA titles alongside DT (2007, 2009, and 2014). But it was only in 2010 that their story started brewing beyond teammates. For years, they’d keep their relationship private, saying they “didn’t want that to be an issue ever.” They, however, weren’t secretive. When Taylor retired, she’d honor Dt as the best teammate and ‘one of the best players ever’. Mind you, they were Olympic opponents in 2004 and 2008 when Taylor represented Australia.

But then in 2017, a year after Taylor retired, they took it a whole lot further.

 Diana Taurasi & Taylor: Tying the knot and building a life together

After eight years together, they swapped jerseys for wedding bands in a private 2017 ceremony. No flash, just love. DT would describe it as “one of the happiest days we’ve ever had.” Speaking to The Arizona Republic, she continued, “We’re just really happy. It was one of the times where all our families were together, all the people we love and care for in the city that we met and evolved as teammates and wives now.”

A year later, their son Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor arrived. They’d try navigating family and game together, with Taylor being named the assistant coach in 2018. However, after one point, in 2020, she decided to step down to focus on being a full-time mom while Taurasi kept chasing history. 

It was difficult to keep the Mercury legend focused on both the game and the family, but Taylor had to get it through Dee and she did. In 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Isla Taurasi-Taylor. The first time parents did lose sleep over their responsibilities, but that smile, Taurasi reveals, is worth everything. “Every day to see that little face, see him smile. When he puts on a pound and gets a little bigger, it makes you really happy.”

Taylor kept them afloat for the first few years, but the Mercury icon soon learnt to prioritize her family. She’d restrict her gym timings to strict 6 and run home to focus on them all. Chatting and joking soon became a ritual and she knew, no matter what, family was always going to come first. So when asked what her plans were next after retirement. Her kids were her first response.

Diana Taurasi calls it a career, immediate focus lies on family

Diana Taurasi officially called it a career in February 2025, closing the book on a WNBA run that’s almost impossible to top. She retires as the league’s all-time leading scorer and the only player to crack 10,000 points—a legacy that speaks for itself.

The six-time Euro-league champion, however, did not have her next chapter mapped out yet. What she did, though, was say, “I really enjoy taking my kids to school, being home when they’re home, not leaving for a week at a time.” Moreover, her son, Leo is turning up to be quite the basketball player. He has grown up watching Taurasi play; right from being months-old at that. She knew he’d love basketball, and seems like the instincts weren’t wrong.

The little one is picking up the ball and Penny coaches his team while the 6-time Olympic gold medalist is ready to be her assistant coach. “The disgruntled assistant mom coach,” as she puts it. Been a long-way from laser-focused DT to full-time. But as they say, love does that to you.