PHOENIX — In the WNBA, the number 3 will always be synonymous with Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, but its significance goes far beyond just a jersey number.
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Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) against the Indiana Fever at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Amazon Prime recently released Taurasi’s docuseries, titled after the basketball legend. In the first episode of the series, Taurasi explains how she received her jersey number playing for the University of Connecticut as a freshman. She had used many different numbers before, such as No. 9 for Van Exel and No. 32 for Magic Johnson.
Aug 1, 2012; London, United Kingdom; USA guard Diana Taurasi (12, left) talks to head coach Geno Auriemma (right) against Turkey during the second half in a preliminary round group A game during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena. USA defeated Turkey 89-58. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma ultimately gave Taurasi the No. 3.
“You’re gonna be number three,” Taurasi said in the series, remembering her conversation with Auriemma. “You’re gonna be the Babe Ruth of women’s basketball. And I was like, ‘Who the f— is Babe Ruth?’”
Babe Ruth, who hit 714 home runs, also made 13 appearances on the mound in Detroit with the Red Sox. Dfpx82759 © Detroit Free Press file photo
Ruth is one of the most prominent figures in all of sports and a Major League Baseball legend. Many remember him for his excellence in both pitching and batting, a rarity in the sport. Ruth once held the record for most home runs by a single player, with 714 homers, before sliding down to third most.
Taurasi was also a rarity in women’s basketball.
Throughout her 20-year career, the Mercury legend set the record as the all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points. She also holds the record for the most WNBA championships by a single player, with three. The legend has won the most gold medals in women’s basketball in the Olympics with six.
Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi shows off her three WNBA Championship rings during ceremonies at the season opener on June 5, 2015, at US Airways Center in Phoenix. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Other athletes have worn No. 3 and have gone on to excel in their sports, such as Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dwyane Wade and Russell Wilson.
The Power Behind No. 3️⃣
Hear Diana break down the meaning behind her iconic jersey number pic.twitter.com/NxFn4JKX7C
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 28, 2025
For women’s basketball, the number 3 will always be remembered for Taurasi’s excellence and for changing the sport for the better.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Mercury’s Thomas makes history in blowout win against Indiana Fever
