Diana Taurasi, popularly known as “White Mamba,” is an all-time richest and best WNBA player. The 42-year-old star is celebrated not just for her accomplishments and talents on the court but also for being among the most mature and highest-paid players in the WNBA. She became the first WNBA player to score 10,000 career points and is heading to her 6th Olympics this year, representing Team USA on the court.
As one of the world’s most successful and well-known athletes, Taurasi has built an impressive career both on and off the court. That said, many fans are curious to know Diana Taurasi’s net worth in 2024. Let’s get into it.
Who is Diana Taurasi?
Diana Taurasi is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. She is one of eleven women to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup, and a WNBA Championship. Diana became White Mamba, a nickname given to her by the Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant. Diana is currently in her 20th season and continues to show outstanding performance on the court.
Diana has spent her whole basketball career with the Phoenix Mercury, whose home court is at the Footprint Center in Arizona. The 2009 WNBA MVP helped the team win the 2007, 2009, and 2014 WNBA Championships while she was in Arizona. Although Taurasi only played in 26 games (all starts) in the 2023 season, she still averaged 16.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Diana won three straight NCAA titles under coach Geno Auriemma’s direction, paving the way for her professional career.
Diana Taurasi: Biography
Diana Lorena Taurasi, or simply Diana Taurasi, was born on June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California, USA. Her father, Mario Taurasi, was a professional soccer player in Italy. Diana’s mother, Liliana Taurasi, was from Argentina. The couple shifted to America before Diana was born.
In terms of education, Diana went to Don Antonio Lugo High School. Alongside her studies, she used to play basketball actively. Luckily, her talent was widely recognized by school representatives. Diana received the Cheryl Miller Award in 2000 and was named the “Parade Magazine” National High School Player of the Year in 2000.
In addition, she was fourth in California State history for total scoring and won the MVP (most valuable player) award at the WBCA High School All-America Game. Diana then joined the University of Connecticut (UConn) and led them to three NCAA Championships. Interestingly, she finished her college career with 2,156 points, ranking among the top scorers in UConn history.
Career and Professional Life
Diana loved playing sports, especially basketball, during childhood. In fact, her high school basketball career was prolific. So, after graduating from college, she decided to monetize her talents. Luckily, the Phoenix Mercury selected her as the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, and that’s when her professional career took off.
The team had an 8-26 losing record the year before. Diana scored 22 points in her season-opening game and went on to average 17 points overall. She won WNBA Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Western Conference All-Star team despite the Mercury’s failure to make the playoffs that season.
After just two seasons in the league, she was chosen to the WNBA All-Decade squad, a fitting beginning for a player who would prove to be so great. She battled an ankle injury the next season but still averaged 16 points per game. Despite her being named an All-Star, the Mercury were unable to advance past the regular season. NBA coach Paul Westhead took over as the Mercury’s new coach prior to the next season. Cappie Pondexter is another outstanding youngster that the squad recruited to its roster. The Mercury were expected to perform well in the upcoming season in addition to Taurasi and another elite player, Penny Taylor.
Taurasi had a truly historic season in 2006, thriving under Westhead’s tutelage. She surpassed the league record for the most points in a single season and led the league in scoring. In addition to scoring more than 25 points per game on average, she set a career-high when she scored 47 points in a triple-overtime match against the Houston Comets. Her 121 three-pointers made in a single season also set a WNBA record. The Mercury did not make the playoffs, though.
The Mercury eventually qualified for the WNBA playoffs the next season, in 2007, and they even went to the Finals, where they faced the Detroit Shock, the reigning champions. Taurasi, Pondexter, and Taylor led the team to victory. In 2009, the Mercury returned to the championship game and prevailed again. Taurasi was awarded the MVP of the WNBA Finals. She became one of just two players to earn the MVP award, WNBA Championship, season scoring lead, and finals MVP all in the same season. In addition to her time spent in the WNBA, Taurasi represented the United States in women’s basketball teams at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. She contributed to the team’s gold medal wins in each of the four games.
International Games
Playing mostly for Turkish and Russian teams, Taurasi has also seen success in other countries. Due to the European leagues’ alternating scheduling, she was typically able to balance playing in both Europe and the United States. But in order to give Taurasi a chance to recuperate and hopefully help them win a European championship, the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg compensated her for missing the 2015 WNBA season. In the end, Taurasi left European competition in 2017.
While Taurasi has not announced any immediate plans to retire, she has expressed interest in remaining involved in basketball, possibly in a coaching role.
Diana Taurasi: Personal Life
Diana Taurasi is happily married to Penny Taylor, her former teammate and assistant coach from Australia. The couple tied the knot in May 2017 after meeting as teammates on their first day with the Mercury in 2004. After that, in March 2018, they had their son Leo Michael, and in October 2021, they welcomed their daughter Isla. Truly, their love story has been intertwined with their shared passion for basketball.
How Many Kids Does Diana Taurasi Have?
Diana Taurasi and her wife, Penny Taylor, share two children. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Leo, on March 1, 2018. Leo is now five years old. Three years later, they welcomed another child, a baby girl named Isla, on October 9, 2021.
In an interview, the couple expressed their desire for their children to pursue careers in athletics, just like them. She wants her children to understand that overcoming obstacles only makes them more resilient and determined.
What is Diana Taurasi’s Age?
The White Mamba, Diana Taurasi, was born on June 11, 1982. So, as of 2024, Diana Taurasi would be 42 years old.
What is Diana Taurasi’s Height and Weight?
Like other basketball players, Diana is definitely tall. The mercury legend Diana Taurasi is 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighs approximately 154 lbs (70 kg). Her height allows her to dominate both offensively and defensively.
What is Diana Taurasi’s Net Worth in 2024?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Diana Taurasi has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million as of 2024. We can easily predict that Diana Taurasis’s salary in the WNBA was among the highest in the league. She has also earned millions of dollars by playing for overseas teams such as UMMC Ekaterinburg of Russia. Here, she easily earned about $1 million for a single season.
Diana Taurasi, who makes $234,936 a year, ranks third on the list. Taurasi is scheduled to make $469,872 during the course of her two-year contract. Unsurprisingly, the oldest WNBA player and one of the Phoenix Mercury’s most devoted players is paid highly. In 2024, Taurasi plans to rejoin the team for her 20th season.
In the WNBA, Taurasi has consistently been one of the highest-paid players. Despite the relatively lower salaries in women’s professional basketball compared to men’s, Taurasi’s earnings from international play and endorsements have helped her accumulate notable wealth. Although her wealth is incredible, particularly in the context of women’s basketball, it also draws attention to the larger discussion over gender disparities in sports income.
Endorsement and Sponsorships
Because of her popularity and charm, she has been endorsed by brands like “Nike,” “BodyArmor,” and “Got Milk?” She was featured on the December 2009 cover of AZ Magazine, which voted her Arizona’s Most Interesting Person. Diana has also appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated twice and ESPN The Magazine three times. In 2012, she stunned everyone by appearing on the cover of their Body Issue.
Diana Taurasi’s Assets
In terms of expenditures, Diana Taurasi spends roughly $40,000 a year. Her possessions include four expensive watches, two luxury cars, and $5,000 worth of gold reserves. But like many famous athletes, Taurasi has debts and liabilities totaling fifteen thousand dollars. Other than that, she has paid $5,000 in annual taxes and invested about $5,000 in cryptocurrency.
Controversies
One incident that grabbed a lot of media attention was when Diana was once accused of taking an illegal substance. She denied these claims, nevertheless, and said the clinical laboratory was framing her. She even went so far as to submit to a polygraph examination in order to prove her innocence. A few months later, an investigation was launched, and it was found that Taurasi was not guilty of any crimes since the laboratory result had been falsified.
Another major controversy was when she defended USA Basketball after Caitlin Clark’s snub. Against the Phoenix Mercury, Clark and the Indiana Fever delivered what has to be their biggest victory of the year. Diana got a flagrant call that might have changed the outcome of the match. Fever Forward NaLyssa Smith was called for a flagrant foul in the second half after hitting Diana in the stomach. Despite the fact that the majority of spectators are certain, Taurasi did not merit a flagrant call.
Taurasi has a reputation for having a pure heart, but she also never stops competing. In 2019, Taurasi underwent back surgery, a significant setback that kept her off the court for an extended period. Despite this, she made a great comeback, proving her dedication to the sport she loves.
Diana Taurasi: Profile Summary
| Full Name | Diana Lorena Taurasi |
| Nickname (s) | Dee, White Mamba |
| Place of Birth | Glendale, California, USA |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1982 |
| Age | 42 years old (As of 2024) |
| Hometown | Chino, California, USA |
| Height | 6’ 0’’ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Education | Don Antonio Lugo High School
University of Connecticut |
| Ethnicity | A mix of Italian & Argentinean |
| Nationality | American |
| Current residence | Manhattan Beach, California |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital status | Married to Penny Taylor (m. 2017) |
| Children | One son (Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor)
One Daughter (Isla Taurasi-Taylor) |
| Siblings | One sister (Jessica Taurasi) |
| Profession | Professional Basket Player, Athlete |
| Years active | 2004 – present |
| Net worth | $3.5 million |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| @dianataurasi | |
| Twitter (X) | @dianataurasi |
| @officialdianataurasi |
Interesting Facts about Diana Taurasi
- Growing up, Diana loved playing soccer as well. But her father encouraged her to choose basketball.
- Her high school won Chino, where she made a name for herself in basketball.
- During high school, she scored over 3,000 points.
- From 2000 until 2004, Taurasi was a member of the UConn Huskies, helping the club win three straight NCAA titles.
- Diana was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 2003 and 2004.
- So far, Diana has won 4 Olympic gold medals with Team USA in the years 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
- She has also won 3 FIBA World Cup gold medals with Team USA.
- Diana holds the record for the most points scored in a single WNBA season, with 860 points.
- Taurasi has three championships under her belt, gaining rings in 2007, 2009, and 2014.
- There’s a 2021 film called Space Jam: A New Legacy. Diana, a member of the Good Squad, has played herself as White Mamba, a cartoon version of her nickname!
- She is proud of her Latin roots.
- In 2020, White Mamba was inducted into the Women’s Basketball with a career spanning two decades of consistent excellence.
The Bottom Line!
We covered Diana Taurasi’s net worth and full biopic. Diana Taurasi is a player who gives her all on the court, and this 10,000-point milestone proves it. She has undoubtedly influenced women’s basketball as one of the most well-known players in the league. She literally has gold all over her neck! Her earnings from the WNBA, international performances, endorsements, and investments have all contributed to her million-dollar net worth.
Young athletes around the world are inspired by her enthusiasm and commitment on the court. She is a shining example of excellence in women’s basketball!
FAQs
1. Who is the oldest player in the WNBA?
Ans: Diana Taurasi is 42 years old and the oldest player in the WNBA.
2. Where does Diana Taurasi live now?
Ans: The WNBA player Diana Taurasi lives in Manhattan Beach, California.
3. What is the net worth of Diana Taurasi?
Ans: Diana Taurasi has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million as of 2024.
4. What is Diana Taurasi’s WNBA salary?
Ans: For the 2023-24 season, Diana Taurasi’s annual salary in the WNBA was $234,936.
5. What ethnicity is Diana Taurasi?
Ans: Diana Taurasi’s father was Italian-born, while her mother was a native of Argentina. So she is a mix of Italian and Argentine.
6. How many rings does Diana Taurasi have?
Ans: Basketball player Diana Taurasi won three WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014.
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