UConn Basketball Legend Diana Taurasi Named to Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2027

STORRS, CT — One of UConn's most storied players is now a hall of fame player.

Indeed, former University of Connecticut women's basketball star Diana Taurasi will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2027, the Knoxville-based organization announced Thursday.

Taurasi, who helped lead UConn to three consecutive NCAA national championships from 2002 to 2004, will join a distinguished group of former Huskies players and coaches already enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Her induction will take place June 26, 2027, at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.

Taurasi played for UConn from 2000 to 2004, helping the Huskies capture national championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004, along with six BIG EAST championships during her four seasons.

She finished her college career with 2,156 points, which ranks her 10th in program history. She also amassed 648 assists, ranking third, and 318 3-pointers, also third in program history.

Taurasi earned three Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-America first-team selections and two first-team honors from both The Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Her individual honors included the Naismith Trophy in 2003 and 2004, the 2003 Wade Trophy, the 2003 Associated Press and USBWA national player of the year awards, and the Honda Sports Award and Nancy Lieberman Award in both 2003 and 2004.

She was also named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 2003 and 2004 and earned BIG EAST Player of the Year honors twice.

Taurasi was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2004 WNBA Draft and spent her entire 20-year professional career with the franchise.

She led Phoenix to WNBA championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014, earning Finals Most Valuable Player honors in 2009 and 2014. She was named WNBA Most Valuable Player in 2009 and selected to 11 All-Star teams.

Taurasi also earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 and was a 10-time All-WNBA first-team selection and four-time second-team selection.

She retired as the league's all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points, becoming the first player in WNBA history to surpass 10,000 career points.

Her international career included six EuroLeague championships and seven Russian National League titles.

Taurasi also became the only basketball player to win six Olympic gold medals, representing the United States at the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. She additionally won three gold medals and one bronze medal at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and was named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year four times.

Taurasi will join several other members of the UConn basketball community in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, including coach Geno Auriemma, inducted in 2006; Rebecca Lobo, 2010; Jennifer Rizzotti, 2013; Kara Wolters, 2017; associate head coach Chris Dailey, 2018; Swin Cash, 2021; Maya Moore, 2024; and Sue Bird, 2025.

Taurasi will be inducted alongside Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault, Dee Kantner, Dr. Judith Holland and Molly Bolin Kazmer.

Founded in 1999, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and recognizes players, coaches, contributors and officials who have helped shape the sport.