Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi was crowned the WNBA’s all-time scoring leader on Sunday night after she broke WNBA legend Tina Thompson’s 7,488-point record.
Taurasi, a 12-year veteran of the League who averages 18.3 points per game, scored 19 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday night.
The three-time WNBA Champion, seven-time All-Star and former League MVP was drafted by the Mercury with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
"Diana Taurasi is one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game of basketball,” WNBA President Lisa Borders said. “During her 13 seasons with the Mercury, she has shown everyone the kind of heart, determination and talent it takes to be a champion. Congratulations on becoming the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history."
Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant watched Taurasi break the WNBA record from the sidelines with two of his daughters on Sunday night. Bryant stood when Taurasi made history and praised her as the “White Mamba” after the game.
The Mercury lost to the Sparks 90-59, but the loss to the reigning WNBA Champions didn’t take away from the celebration.
NBA players and professional athletes took a moment to congratulate Taurasi on etching her name in the history books.
