MANILA, Philippines — Diana Taurasi capped her international career with a sixth Olympic gold medal on Sunday, calling it “truly an honor” to represent the USA and see the growth of the global game.
The United States won their record eighth straight gold with a gritty 67-66 victory over host nation France.
Taurasi, with gold in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, surpassed Sue Bird for the most Olympic golds by an American women’s basketball player, but despite the United States’ long dominance Taurasi never thought it was a sure thing.
“These games are tough,” Taurasi said. “Everyone always thinks it’s going to be easy to win gold medals. But a game in France against a French team – they play physical, they play hard, play for their country. It was a tough win.”
The Phoenix Mercury guard, owner of three WNBA titles, didn’t play in the final, but US coach Cheryl Reeve said before the Games her experience was a “tremendously valuable” asset.
“She’s one of the greatest competitors women’s basketball, and sports, has ever seen,” Reeve said. “There’s no substitute for that level of experience.”