When Diana Taurasi scored with 45.3 seconds left in the second quarter in today's game against Los Angeles, the UConn legend moved by Tina Thompson to record more points in the regular season than any other WNBA player.
Taurasi finished the game with 7,494 points in her 376th career game while Thompson had 7,488 points in 496 career contests. Taurasi also ranks first in 3-pointers made and is fifth in assists in WNBA history.
"Congratulations to Diana on becoming the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer," Thompson said in a statement released by the WNBA. "I am excited that it is Diana and it is my absolute pleasure to pass the torch on to her. She and I have shared so many amazing moments throughout our basketball careers, whether it was gold medals, championships or all-star games. Diana is one of the best players to ever play the game and definitely one of my favorites. She has done amazing things and I am so grateful that I’ve been able to share many of those with her. I am really excited for Diana and I think she is going to blow that record out of the water.”
If points in the regular season and playoffs are combined, Tamika Catchings is still the record holder with 8,521 points while Taurasi is at 8,489.
The 2001-02 UConn team features not only the WNBA's all-time leading scorers but also the players ranking ninth (Sue Bird), 15th (Swin Cash) and 30th (Asjha Jones). Tina Charles is 23rd while Maya Moore needs 72 points to tie Jones for 30th on the career list.
Another former UConn great has a chance to set another WNBA career record as Sue Bird has 2,480 assists in the regular season, 112 behind the record holder Ticha Penicheiro.
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