"If I could go back and relive it, I would in a minute": Diana Taurasi cherishes good old UConn days before her Paris Olympics trip
As Diana Taurasi gears up for her sixth Olympic Games in Paris, she reminisces about her formative years at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she led the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA championships.
In a video shared on Instagram by NCAA, Taurasi said:
"Oh man, college was the best. Every time I think about those days with my ex-teammates, those are my sisters for life. There's nothing like college. The whole school, the entire state, backing you—it's just an incredible atmosphere. If I could go back and relive it, I would in a minute."
Diana Taurasi, the leading scorer in WNBA history with over 10,000 points, is a perfect 38-0 in the Olympics and chasing her sixth gold medal. Reflecting on her remarkable career, Taurasi attributed the success to those around her:
"You know, that's a lot of luck. When you have a career with that kind of longevity, it's the people around you. I've played with some of the best players ever, coached by some of the best in the world, and I've truly been lucky to be around them."
"They've made me better every single day, so I'm truly grateful. There's no greater stage than the Olympics. It's a gathering of the best athletes in the world."
In an exchange with WNBA reporter Richard Cohen, Taurasi hinted that Paris would likely be her final Olympics. When asked if fans might see her in Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, she quipped,
"Yeah, you're gonna see me in L.A. on the beach with a beer."
If she stays true to her word, 2028 could be the first Olympics without Taurasi since 2000.
Diana Taurasi rallies Team USA after All-Star Weekend loss ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
At the WNBA’s All-Star Weekend, the US Women’s Basketball Team was administered a slap in the face by Team WNBA, which beat them 117-109.
Diana Taurasi, who scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out five assists, gathered her team in a huddle and expressed her displeasure:
“This sht f*kn sucks. It’s a good reminder, we gotta come to play no matter who we are. We got it!”
The 20-year veteran had anticipated some rustiness in the star-studded squad. Earlier in the week, Taurasi told USA Basketball:
“The Olympic summer is tricky to navigate. Everyone’s focused on their WNBA team, and then suddenly, you have to switch gears and work together cohesively in a short amount of time to beat the world.”
As she heads into her sixth and final Olympics, she aims to lead Team USA to their eighth consecutive gold.