In honor of her impressive performance at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and with the USA Basketball Women’s National Team this past summer, Diana Taurasi earned an unprecedented fourth USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award. Taurasi previously earned the honor in 2006, 2010 and 2012.
“I have been really lucky to learn and play with the best in the game,” Taurasi said. “It makes one go to a different level.”
At the 2016 Olympics from Aug. 6-20 in Rio de Janeiro, Taurasi started in all eight wins and averaged a team-best 15.6 points to go with 3.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game to help the USA to a sixth-straight Olympic gold medal.
“Diana has been an important member of USA Basketball teams since she first played on a U18 team in 2000, and it is no surprise that she is being honored as the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year for an incredible fourth time” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director. “In 2016, she was one of three captains and a true team leader on and off the court. We are grateful for her commitment.”
This year marks the 37th time USA Basketball has presented its Female Athlete of the Year award, which was established in 1980 to recognize a USA Basketball athlete who, during the year of the award, made a significant impact on the success of her team’s performance.