LOS ANGELES — Dallas Wings standout Paige Bueckers honored Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi during a video montage at the 2025 ESPY awards on Wednesday night.
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Jul 16, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Diana Taurasi on the red carpet before the ESPYS at The Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Taurasi, along with soccer star Alex Morgan, was presented with the Icon Award during the event. The award recognizes athletes who have had a significant impact on sports during their careers.
“To the next generation, keep going,” Taurasi said during her acceptance speech. “Don’t wait for someone to hand you anything, outwork them. Be loyal. Bring that damn fire every day. We’re proof you can do it.”
Diana Taurasi’s got high hopes for Paige Bueckers ????
(via @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/3mRirQCIB6
— espnW (@espnW) May 27, 2025
During the awards, a video highlighting the legend’s career was aired. Among those in the video was Bueckers, who summed up her feelings about Taurasi in a few words.
“[Taurasi] is unapologetically herself… Because of you, I can be an a–hole and be proud of it,” the Dallas All-Star said.
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) waits to be introduced on Sept. 19, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Taurasi retired from basketball in February of this year.
During her 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi won three WNBA Championships, six Olympic gold medals and was an 11-time All-Star.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
