Phoenix Mercury to be without Diana Taurasi in 2015
Feb 3, 2015, 10:07 PM | Updated: 10:11 pm
The Phoenix Mercury will be without star Diana Taurasi as they look to defend their WNBA Championship in 2015.
The team announced Tuesday that the 32-year-old has decided to take the season off. As part of her contract with the Russian team she plays for, she will be paid to take this WNBA season off.
In a letter, Taurasi said, “The year-round nature of women’s basketball takes its toll and the financial opportunity with my team in Russia would have been irresponsible to turn down. They offered to pay me to rest and I’ve decided to take them up on it. I want to be able to take care of myself and my family when I am done playing.”
Taurasi averaged 16.2 points, 5.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game for the Mercury last season
“We understand Diana’s choice not to play this season, a decision that undoubtedly will extend her career and will benefit the Mercury in the future,” said Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello. “Obviously it is hard to replace someone of her caliber, but we are confident in our other key personnel on our roster continuing their development and rising to the challenge. Jim Pitman and I are actively pursuing quality free agents that will complement our players and greatly assist us in our quest to defend our title in 2015.”
According to Kate Fagan of ESPN.com, Taurasi made close to the league maximum of $107,000 for the 2014 WNBA season while her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, pays her 15 times as much.
Taurasi said she will be back to play for the Mercury in 2016.
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