Whatever happens in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA, Diana Taurasi will go down as one of the greatest Olympians ever — apart, of course, from being among the best American hoopers in history.
Taurasi added to her ever-growing legend on Thursday when Team USA defeated Belgium to the tune of an 87-74 score. With that win, Taurasi tasted her 40th win in the Olympics to also become the first Olympian basketball player ever to be part of 40 victories in the Summer Games.
Via FIBA:
“Oh wow,” stated Taurasi when told about the accomplishment in the post-game mixed zone.
“But you know what? It’s just been real fun with this group and those kind of marks only ever happen when you are on great teams with great coaches. Today was just fun to have that atmosphere for basketball.
“40 is cool, but let’s hope there are a few more yet,” she laughed.
Taurasi definitely did not set out to Paris just to win two games. The goal is to win the gold, which would be her sixth overall in the Olympics. Taurasi won gold in 2004 in Athens, in Beijing in 2008, in London in 2012, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and in Tokyo in 2021. Those are on top of the three World Championships in her collection.
Taurasi, at 42 years old, is still going strong, and she’ll look to help Team USA win on Sunday against Germany to close out group play.
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