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Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press
Diana Taurasi to stay with Phoenix Mercury after agreeing to multi-year deal, says Shams Charania of the stadium and the Athletic.
The 38-year-old has spent her entire career with the Mercury since being selected No.1 in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
After a back injury cost her most of the 2019 season, she is back to averaging 18.7 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in 2020.
Her career includes nine All-Star caps, an MVP award and three WNBA titles, and she is the league’s all-time leading scorer with 8,931 career points.
Phoenix has been careful not to leave free agency, keeping his face of the franchise and a productive player who will continue to make an impact into 2021 and beyond.
“I’m not stopping; I don’t think I should stop now,” Taurasi said Katie barnes ESPNW in December. “Who knows? Six months from now that might be a different story. But right now people are asking me what I want to do after basketball. … I’m playing basketball right now.”
The WNBA’s free agency period saw a wave of noticeable movement. Candace Parker, Aerial Powers, Chelsea Gray and Kayla McBride are among those who have changed teams.
Phoenix avoided a major loss by retaining Taurasi, potentially setting the team up for a deep run in 2021 with Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner also among those expected to return.
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