by Tim Gordon
Few athletes transcend their sport the way Diana Taurasi has. Fierce, fearless, and unapologetically herself, she’s spent two decades redefining what greatness looks like in women’s basketball. The new documentary Taurasi doesn’t just recap her jaw-dropping résumé; it pulls back the curtain on the grit, sacrifice, and relentless will that made her a legend.
When it comes to women’s basketball, there’s Taurasi and then there’s everyone else. The film makes that abundantly clear, painting a rich, layered portrait of arguably the greatest player in WNBA history. Over the course of her 14 All-Star appearances, three NCAA Championships, three WNBA titles, a league MVP, and an unprecedented six Olympic gold medals, Taurasi has done everything there is to do in the sport and done it with a swagger, wit, and competitive fire that’s made her both a fan favorite and a feared opponent.
From her earliest days with an almost obsessive love for the game, Taurasi charts her rise through UConn’s dynasty years, where under Geno Auriemma she became the ultimate floor general, a leader whose confidence was as important as her jump shot. Her time at UConn, culminating in three national titles, set the tone for a pro career that saw her become the face of the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA itself. But this isn’t a sugar-coated highlight reel. The film delves into the intensity, occasional brashness, and single-minded focus that defined her traits, bringing championships, but also friction along the way.
One of the most compelling stretches covers Taurasi’s four seasons playing in Russia during the WNBA offseasons. Not only did those years provide financial stability far beyond her U.S. earnings, but they also shifted her understanding of her value as an athlete and a brand. These sections shine with personal anecdotes and cultural contrasts, showing a star who could dominate the court in any corner of the globe.
The film also delves into her relationships, both personal and professional, including her unbreakable bond with fellow icon Sue Bird. Bird’s presence in the documentary adds warmth and levity, a reminder that even the fiercest competitors need allies. Taurasi’s upbringing, shaped by hardworking parents who demanded excellence, is another throughline that helps explain her relentless drive and refusal to settle for “good enough.”
While Taurasi’s prime preceded the WNBA’s current surge in visibility and profitability, the film smartly frames her as a bridge between the league’s pioneering days and its present golden era. The highlights are electric, the behind-the-scenes stories are revealing, and the candid reflections make her career feel even more monumental.
In the end, Taurasi is about more than just basketball. It’s about the sacrifices and pressures that come with greatness, the fine line between confidence and arrogance, and the cost of being the standard by which all others are measured. It’s a refreshing, humanizing portrait not of a saint or a villain, but of a flawed, fiercely driven competitor who wanted greatness, chased it relentlessly, and got it.
Much like Moses, Taurasi will not get to experience the WNBA’s promised land, but she damn sure took the league to the brink of superstardom, carrying it for the past two decades.
Grade: B+
