WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Taurasi Named to All-WNBA First Team

Published on October 8, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


Phoenix, Ariz. - The WNBA announced today that Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been named to the All-WNBA First Team, presented by Bud Light. The No. 1 pick of the Mercury in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Taurasi led the Mercury in scoring and was fourth overall in the WNBA, posting an average of 17.0 points per game. In her debut season, Taurasi helped turn the Mercury from a league worst 8-26 in 2003 to a 17-17 record in 2004.

Taurasi leads the way for the 2004 All-WNBA First Team that also includes Sue Bird (Seattle), Lauren Jackson (Seattle), Tina Thompson (Houston), and Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles). The 2004 All-WNBA Second Team includes Nikki Teasley (Los Angeles), Nykesha Sales (Connecticut), Tamika Catchings (Indiana), Swin Cash (Detroit) and Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento). As a member of the All-WNBA First Team, presented by Bud Light, Taurasi will receive $10,000, and a Tiffany-designed trophy. Adding to her list of accolades, Taurasi has already been named the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

"Diana has not only made an impact on the Mercury but her presence can be felt throughout the entire WNBA," said Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka. "For her to be named to a First Team that includes Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Tina Thompson and Lisa Leslie is really saying something about the caliber of player she truly is. As an organization, we couldn't be happier for her to be recognized in this way."

Taurasi is only the second player in Mercury history to be recognized among the league's elite for First Team honors. Jennifer Gillom - the first player assigned to the Mercury on January 22, 1997 - was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 1998 and earned Second Team honors in the league's inaugural season, 1997.

The 22-year old Taurasi averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 34 games for the Mercury. The Chino, CA native averaged .416 shooting from the field (209-503) and connected on 62 of 188 shots (.330) from long range. Among league leaders, Taurasi finished in the league's top 20 in several statistical categories: scoring (17.0 ppg - 4th overall), rebounding (4.4 rpg - 18th overall), assists (3.9 apg - 10th overall), three-point field goal percentage (.330 - 19th overall), steals (1.26 spg - 18th overall), blocks (0.74 - 17th overall) and minutes (33.2 mpg - 14th overall).

In addition to her individual accomplishments, Taurasi helped the Mercury post 17 victories on the season, nine more than in 2003. That improvement ties the fifth best turnaround in WNBA history. The Mercury's 17-17 record was the first time since the 2000 (20-12) season that the team finished at or above the .500 mark.

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