As Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese embark on their promising WNBA careers, one player they undoubtedly look up to is the legendary Diana Taurasi. Entering her 20th season, the 42-year-old Taurasi, affectionately known as the “White Mamba” in homage to Kobe Bryant, has a career filled with accolades that aspiring players like Clark and Reese can only dream of achieving. With three NCAA championships at the University of Connecticut, a 2004 Rookie of the Year award, three WNBA championships, five WNBA scoring titles, a 2009 WNBA MVP award, and two WNBA Finals MVPs, Taurasi’s legacy is cemented both in the US and Europe.

This season marks the 20th anniversary of Taurasi being the first overall pick in the 2004 draft, a year in which she also earned the Rookie of the Year title. Now, Clark and Reese are the frontrunners for this year’s Rookie of the Year award, a race that has narrowed down due to Cameron Brink’s unfortunate injury. When asked about facing Caitlin Clark after a recent practice, Taurasi casually remarked, “Yeah, it will be fun.”

Some social media users speculated that Taurasi’s brief response might stem from jealousy over the attention Clark has received in her debut games. However, such notions seem far-fetched. Taurasi’s legendary status in the WNBA is unmatched, and while the league has never enjoyed as much visibility as it does now, Taurasi’s influence remains unparalleled. Both Taurasi and Clark are averaging just over 16 points per game this season, setting the stage for an exciting matchup where fans can expect both players, especially Taurasi, to aim for their season highs.

The highly anticipated game is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, in Phoenix at 3:00 PM EST. Before this, both teams have one game each: Indiana, currently in peak form, faces a challenging matchup against Seattle tomorrow, while Phoenix will host the Cameron-less LA Sparks on Friday at 10:00 PM EST.

As Taurasi reflects on her illustrious career, the game against Clark represents a symbolic passing of the torch to the next generation of WNBA stars. This matchup not only underscores the evolution of women’s basketball but also highlights the importance of seasoned veterans mentoring and challenging new talents, ensuring the sport’s continued growth and excitement.