“Tomorrow's not promised so you've really got to take       advantage of what you have in the present.” – Diana Taurasi

            On August 3, 2023, Diana Taurasi, an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury, became the first WNBA player to score 10,000 career points. She’s even earned the nickname “White Mamba” by former NBA superstar and former “Black Mamba” Kobe Bryant. So, of course, since Taurasi has led such an impressive basketball career, it seemed only fitting to choose her for the first addition of our new sports column: “Female Athlete of the Week”.
            After playing professionally for 19 seasons (and getting teased for getting “too old” to play at now 41) Diana, or Dee as she goes by, is still breaking records in 2023. Since being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Taurasi has won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award (2004), three WNBA Championships (2007, 2009, & 2014), a historic FIVE Olympic Gold medals, three FIBA World Cups, and dozens of other impressive athletic accolades.
            On June 20, 2018, Dee was awarded the WNBA Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her ongoing support of single mothers and their families as well as her support for the LGBTQ community in Phoenix. Additionally, the WNBA champion partnered with four local non-profits to host more than 50 single mothers and their families, who were given grocery store gift cards, flowers and breakfast and spent the morning with Taurasi and her teammates.
            Today, Diana Taurasi is still breaking down barriers and impacting lives with her playing and service. She is also the new parent to second child with wife and former Phoenix Mercury teammate, Penny Taylor. With a 19-year basketball career and still going strong, Dee is an inspiration and positive reminder in herself and the words she has spoken will always be true:
            “Tomorrow's not promised so you've really got to take advantage of what you have in the present.”