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Diana Taurasi is taking her time deciding to retire

Diana Taurasi is taking her time deciding to retire

Diana Taurasi is still mulling her decision about whether to play another season in the WNBA or retire.

The 20-year veteran and future Hall of Famer told the Associated Press on Tuesday that she will take her time deciding what she wants to do.

“I don’t take retirement lightly. I know that as soon as I say it or announce it, be it in a month or two, I will mean it,” Taurasi said. “I’m talking to (wife) Penny (Taylor) and the Mercury, so I’m still in the thought process.”

Taurasi’s season ended when the Mercury were defeated by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs. She hasn’t spoken since the loss.

“I didn’t take it lightly. I think about it every day. You know, I’m still deep in thought about it. I want to make the right decision, you know, and I’m just going to take a little time,” Taurasi, 42, said. “And sometimes when the season is over, the last thing you want to think about is the next season.”

Taurasi likes the moves the team made last offseason by adding Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper, which she believes has made the team a potential championship contender.

Added to this is the opening of the $100 million training facility that the Mercury now use, which features the Taurasi name and logo on the playing fields.

“I do think with the additions (on the field) and in the front office, we’re going to be here for a long time,” she said. “You know these are my sisters. I’ve been through a lot with them. So, you know, I’ll chat with them. It’s a lot to process the season as a whole.”

Taurasi has recently spoken out about her battle with the skin eczema that she suffers from. She’s been involved in it since her time at UConn, where she helped the school win three NCAA championships. Taurasi developed red, itchy, and scaly skin outbreaks that caused her discomfort on and off the field.

“I’ve had to deal with this most of my life. And you know, I told my story and you know how lasting it is,” said the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“Especially when you play sports. And you know, in basketball, of course, you’re always wearing a jersey and you’re exposed. And not only that, the physical part of it too. And you know how itchy and red it is and how uncomfortable it is. These are all things that I struggled with internally for a long time.”

Taurasi took Dupixent after working with her dermatologist. An estimated 2.7 million people in the United States ages 6 months and older suffer from uncontrolled moderate to severe eczema.

As she decides to retire, whether this year or soon, Taurasi is intrigued by the idea of ​​getting involved in leading a team.

“I definitely love the idea of ​​being able to be in a position where you obviously have influence on a team,” she said. “But even more than that, just being around (owner) Mat (Ishbia) a little bit, just seeing how he’s impacted this whole city and the energy of what an owner can do, really on the perspective and that Feeling of a city changes a city. The things he’s done with the team I think are really the next step for female athletes.”