​Sophie Cunningham has consistently shown how deeply she values Diana Taurasi, and as Taurasi prepares for another milestone, the Indiana Fever veteran didn’t hold back in sharing her thoughts. Ahead of Thursday night’s game between Cunningham’s Fever and Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury, she was asked about the Mercury’s upcoming ceremony to retire Taurasi’s iconic No. 3 jersey and to honor her with induction into the franchise’s Ring of Honor. Her candid response highlighted the enduring bond the two formed during six seasons together.
Taurasi spent her entire 20-year WNBA career with the Mercury, leaving an indelible mark as the league’s all-time leading scorer, a three-time champion, and one of basketball’s greatest players. Cunningham entered the league as a Phoenix pick in the second round in 2019, giving her a front-row seat to learn from the sport’s future Hall of Famer from day one. When asked what the retirement honors mean to Taurasi, Cunningham immediately emphasized the impact Taurasi has had on her personally and professionally, both on and off the court.
“I just love her, man. There’s never going to be another Diana Taurasi, ever,” Cunningham said. “I think she’s the one who taught me how to be the ultimate pro. I just think that she’s gold down to the core. What she did for our game, what she’s going to continue to do for our game is awesome.” Cunningham’s words carry extra weight given her career arc. She spent the first six seasons of her WNBA journey in Phoenix before being traded to Indiana ahead of the 2025 season. During those early years, she watched Taurasi prepare every day, adopting the habits and mindset that helped Taurasi become one of the sport’s all-time greats. Those lessons have clearly stayed with Cunningham.
Earlier this year, the Mercury announced that Taurasi’s jersey retirement and Ring of Honor induction would take place on August 16. For Cunningham, attendance could be tricky—the Fever are in the midst of their own season. When asked whether she planned to be there, she flashed a smile and offered a playful reply: “I’ll probably be playing but if my mom wants me to call in sick, then yeah, I’ll be there.” The lighthearted joke drew laughs, yet it underscored how much the ceremony means to one of Taurasi’s closest former teammates.
Few players have achieved what Taurasi accomplished in her storied career. Beyond retiring as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, she captured three championships, earned two Finals MVP awards, claimed the 2009 league MVP, garnered 11 All-Star selections, earned 10 All-WNBA First Team honors, claimed five scoring titles, and collected six Olympic gold medals with Team USA. For Taurasi, the upcoming ceremony represents not only a tribute to a legendary career but also a lasting legacy that continues to influence generations of players. Cunningham’s reflections, grounded in their shared history and Taurasi’s impact on the game, add a personal dimension to what promises to be a landmark night for the Mercury and for women’s basketball.
The Sporting News will tag this piece as a preferred source, and readers are encouraged to click here to add The Sporting News as a preferred source for the latest on Taurasi’s jersey retirement and Ring of Honor induction. The ceremony, set for August 16, will mark a significant moment in Mercury history, celebrating Taurasi’s extraordinary contributions to the franchise and to basketball at large. Cunningham’s heartfelt remarks serve as a reminder of the mentor-mentee relationship that has helped shape her own path in the league, and they underscore the special bond that Taurasi shares with the Phoenix community she helped define.