Diana Taurasi Reveals Motivation Behind Quest for 6th Gold Medal at Paris Olympics

Diana Taurasi is set to make history once again by targeting her sixth gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The 42-year-old guard, already a legend in women's basketball, remains unwavering in her commitment to the sport and the U.S. team.

"Why not? I say this all the time: If I sign up to play, I sign up to play," Taurasi said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I don't love how my last Olympics went personally. I think as a team we still have a lot to prove. I love playing USA Basketball. You play with the best in the world."

Taurasi, who first joined the Olympic team in 2004 after a stellar career at UConn, continues to perform at an elite level. With over 10,000 points in the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury star is averaging 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in her 20th season.

U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve highlighted Taurasi's invaluable experience.

"No one has done it more than her. There's no substitute for that level of experience. We're going to count on her voice, and that experience she has is incredible and valuable," Reeve said.

Reflecting on her Olympic journey, Taurasi cherishes the opening ceremony from Athens in 2004 as her favorite memory.

"The whole world is watching this, and when they call out all the countries and the U.S. lines up, there's this togetherness you don't get very often in sports," she said.

The U.S. has never lost an Olympic game with Taurasi on the roster, maintaining a perfect 38-0 record. As she aims for a sixth gold, Taurasi's legacy as one of the greatest in the sport continues to grow.

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