Diana Taurasi talks WNBA All-Star Game and her favorite Phoenix restaurants

Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi tells Axios she can't wait to show off her adopted hometown later this month when the women's basketball world descends upon Phoenix for the WNBA All-Star Game .

The big picture: Taurasi, who has lived in the Valley for about 20 years, told us she'll be directing visitors to check out downtown, which she said has blossomed over the past decade.

• "I think it's one of the only downtowns that's gotten nicer and better and more modern. This city is growing," she said.
• She also highlighted the Coronado neighborhood with its historic homes and artsy cafés.

Zoom in: Taurasi, who is a vegan, also shared her favorite restaurants in the Valley:

• Tacos Veganos
• Green New American
• The Coronado

Driving the news: Taurasi will appear in her 11th All-Star Game July 20 at Footprint Center.

• "All Star Weekend is just a time to really celebrate the WNBA … and this city does it better than anyone else," she said, giving kudos to Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who Taurasi said fought to host the game.

Zoom in: Axios caught up with Taurasi during the launch of a new partnership with pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Regeneron, the makers of eczema treatment Dupixent.

• Taurasi has struggled with moderate-to-severe eczema since college. She claimed she was fined by the WNBA for wearing arm sleeves during the 2009 WNBA Finals, where she led the Mercury to victory.
• "I was just like, whatever it takes for me not to just think about my eczema," she said.