![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1344644511-e1633986902357.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 03: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts during the second half of Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Desert Financial Arena on October 03, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1344644511-e1633986902357.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 03: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts during the second half of Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Desert Financial Arena on October 03, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Known for her extravagant WNBA career, Diana Taurasi is considered one of the greatest players to ever play in the league. Already having 5 Olympic gold medals under her name, the 42-year-old point guard is now aiming for her sixth. Significant to the vet’s 20-year run in the league, this might be her last chance to win another gold medal to add to her list of career achievements. As a result, she still trains with the same energy as that of a rookie filled with plumes of talent inside them.
However, as the clock strikes 6, Taurasi steps out the door because she knows that there is more to life outside the basketball and that is her role of being a mother of two little angels.
Diana Taurasi and her wife grew into a family of four
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Getting off from the gym, Diana Taurasi’s favorite thing to do after coming back home is to sit down and have a meal with her wife and former teammate, Penny Taylor, and their kids, Leo Michael, and Isla, while they chat with each other about their day.
“During those conversations is when the jokes come out and the memories are made,” said the California native expressing her thoughts on spending quality time with her family. Taurasi and Taylor first met in 2004 when Taurasi was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and Taylor was playing her first season with the team.
They dated each other for a better part of a decade and then they decided to exchange wedding vows in May 2017. As Taurasi continued her career as Mercury’s point guard, Taylor switched up to the position of director of player development and performance.
A year later, Taurasi and Taylor welcomed their first child, Leo Michael in March 2018. “It was the most amazing and beautiful day of our lives. To be able to share our love with family and close friends meant the world to us,” said Taurasi on Leo Michael’s arrival as the family’s newest cutest little member.
But that was not it, Diana Taurasi’s family grew to four when they welcomed their second child, Isla in October 2021, however, it was an adventurous experience for both Taurasi and Taylor. As it turns out, Taylor was expecting to give birth to Isla in the first week of October 2021. However, the baby was late.
What’s your perspective on:
How does Diana Taurasi manage to excel in the WNBA while being a devoted mom of two?
Have an interesting take?
View this post on Instagram
And perhaps it was for the better as the family had two things to celebrate that night. It was the 2021 WNBA Finals and Taurasi had just won the winner-take-all Game 5 taking over the Las Vegas Aces. Meanwhile, Taylor was in dilation. After the 87-84 semifinal win, Taurasi ended her post-game interview with a message to Taylor, “Hold it in babe, I’m coming.”
Right after that, Taurasi caught a private flight straight to Phoenix and took a ride to the hospital after landing. The next morning, the Mercury took the celebration to Twitter and posted, “At 4:24 am baby GOAT #2 arrived. Congratulations to Dee and Penny on the birth of their beautiful, healthy baby girl. #FamilyOf4TheValley.”
While Taurasi was running for the league title, off the court she was designing baby Isla’s nursery with Taylor, courtesy of Pottery Barn Kids. “We are very excited to welcome our baby home to this beautiful space and especially introduce her to her big brother in such a calm, relaxing atmosphere. It feels amazing to know that when she gets here, we’ll be ready,” said the couple.
So, now that they are growing up, who is more likely to follow in their mother’s athletic footsteps? Let’s find out.
Taurasi imparts her athletic genes to her kids
When it comes to parents instilling their professional working knowledge in their kids, Diana Taurasi has got the whole package deal. On one hand, the apple seems to have fallen a bit far from the tree with Leo who basically responds to reverse psychology, and on the other, it’s Isla who is a natural.
Per People’s Magazine’s conversation with Taurasi, she explained the hilarious basketball practice situation at home she and Taylor go through with 5-year-old Leo Michael and said, “He can tell we want him to play so we’ve done a 180 and don’t talk about it. And he’ll ask, ‘When’s basketball practice?’ And we’ll say, ‘We’ll go if you want.”
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1591110685-e1708537355674.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Getty
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 03: Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after scoring her 10,000th career point during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Footprint Center on August 03, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
However, the 2-year-old Isla is on her path to walking the same as her mama. “You can tell she’s an athlete. She has a way about her. She’s very physical and loves to climb,” said Taurasi. Despite their distant interests, Taurasi doesn’t wish to push her kids in a particular direction, as for her they will find their own as she puts it, “At the end of the day, they’ll pick their path of what they love to do. And if it’s basketball, I would obviously enjoy that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But one thing still stands out. Ever since Taurasi stepped into the realm of motherhood, she has gone through some significant transformations. As an impact of becoming a mother of two kids, Taurasi has found a fresh perspective towards her game, to be precise.
Moreover, she now plays with another level of motivation to inspire her little bundles of joy while being a strong role model for them. Becoming a mother also brought her to deeply appreciate her team’s support and collaboration on the court, making it her family away from home.
Plus, this new aspect of her life has increased her efficiency which poses a holistic impact on her overall performance. Simply put, she is reaping sweet fruits of strength and confidence that chimed into her life along with her role as a mother.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video:
Debate
How does Diana Taurasi manage to excel in the WNBA while being a devoted mom of two?