Fans Devastated By Diana Taurasi's Recent Major Announcement About Her Career Plans

When it comes to the athletes that we grow up supporting there will always come a day when it's time for them to walk away from the sport.

It's a day that we all know is coming, but isn't at the forefront of our worries until the realization sinks in that it's looming. For fans of the WNBA, this reality is beginning to truly set in when it comes to Phoenix Mercury Star, Diana Taurasi. The No. 1 pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft is one of the headliners for Team USA as they look to capture what would be their eighth gold medal in a row.

However, the Paris games have a bit more meaning than the others for Taurasi, considering they are officially her last.

"Well, it definitely is (the last) for Team USA basketball, you know," Taurasi told ESPN's Michele Steele in a recent interview. "I’m 42, six Olympics. It’s just been such an honor to put on that jersey every single time."

A quote that has really hit fans hard, with one writing , "I might cry" while another added , "Oh this is getting real i fear".

Taurasi on the other hand is just simply doing her best to keep having fun, and not worry about how this does or does not affect her legacy.

"When legacy comes up, I tell young kids all the time, don’t worry about your legacy," she said. "You don’t get to control your legacy, you control what you bring to the table every single day, to your teammates, to your coaches, to your fans. Are you maximizing your potential and your talent? I never looked at basketball for what it brought to me, other than what it made me. It’s what I love to do. It makes me happy."

In terms of when she will retire from the game altogether, Taurasi didn't provide a timeline but did say she'll know when it's time.

"I think, you know, obviously, I’ve had plenty of friends who have retired, and I pick their brain, and they always say, ‘You’ll know, your gut's never wrong,’” Taurasi said. “So, I mean, that moment will come, and when it does, I’m not going to have any regrets."

Taurasi and Team USA will kick off their group-stage action on Monday against Japan.

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