Diana Taurasi in new role as she chases history and 6th Olympic gold medal

Diana Taurasi is embracing a new role with USA Basketball.

She’s vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games, which would mark her sixth appearance. However, this endeavor feels like her first.

Despite the fact that she will turn 42 before the Paris Games even start next July, or her pursuit of an unprecedented sixth consecutive gold medal in basketball, the veteran guard is undeterred.

“I’m in a different position now where, in the last couple of them, I did it with my peers, and now I’m doing it with B (Betnijah Laney) and, you know, players that I’m not that familiar with,” Taurasi revealed Sunday night after a 95-59 exhibition victory over No. 11 Tennessee.

This time around, there’s no Sue Bird, which became crystal clear when Taurasi woke up in Atlanta for the first day of a three-day training camp, reaching for her phone to text Bird to go get coffee.

“It was a stark realization that it’s just me here now,” Taurasi said. “I miss her dearly. We’ve obviously gone through this for a long time together. On the flip side, it’s been really fun to get to know some of these young guys I haven’t spent a lot of time with.”

Yes, Taurasi won gold with Brittney Griner in 2021 and 2016 – her WNBA teammate with the Phoenix Mercury is part of this training period group.

Taurasi is now trying to forge similar chemistry with previously unfamiliar teammates. This group, which will conclude its training stint with an exhibition at Duke, consists only of Ariel Atkins (2021) and Angel McCoughtry (2012 and 2016) alongside Griner.

A’ja Wilson, who recently led the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA title, has her left wrist in a cast. Breanna Stewart is awaiting the birth of her second child with her wife, and Chelsea Gray is recovering from a foot injury that will prevent her from returning to her college home at Duke.

That means getting to know a bunch of new teammates off the court.

“That always helps you when you’re in the game,” Taurasi said.

She understands the impact of teamwork, having played her best when the stakes are at the highest. Taurasi is one of only 12 players to win a World Cup gold medal, Olympic gold, an NCAA championship (three), and a WNBA championship (three more).

Taurasi is just as feisty, sarcastic, and relentless as ever. Once the ball tips, that’s when the 6-foot Taurasi becomes the focused competitor that makes her so valuable.

Tennessee coach Kellie Harper commended Taurasi’s remarkable skill as she enters her fifth year coaching her alma mater. Harper, 46, acknowledged she’s not much older than Taurasi but couldn’t do now what Taurasi does still.

“She’s savvy, she gets it, she’s a great leader,” Harper said.

Taurasi addressed Harper’s Lady Vols before Sunday night’s exhibition, and Harper praised Taurasi’s demeanor. Not an easy thing to say considering how bitter the UConn-Tennessee rivalry once was and remains to fans with long memories.

Harper said Taurasi was cordial, gave her a hug, and had a great visit with her team. Then Harper went onto the court before warmups and saw a different Taurasi.

“I locked in on her with my eyes, and you could just see she was on go,” Harper said. “I was like, ‘This could be interesting’ because she just flipped that switch, and she was great at practice, cordial at practice, and I thought she was going to tear us apart in warmups. But that’s how competitive she is.”

Taurasi knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter and a pair of free throws, scoring all of her 11 points in 7:44. As Tennessee adjusted how it defended Taurasi, she switched up and handed out three assists.

“Like Coach (Cheryl Reeve) said, when you wear the USA jersey, it’s whatever you have to do to make the team better,” Taurasi said. “Different moments call for different things.”

Playing against Taurasi can still be intimidating for an opponent, particularly the first time.

Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson, who has some USA Basketball experience, said she knew the Lady Vols would be playing Team USA in an exhibition. Then Harper started handing out the specific matchups.

“Then she goes, ‘Jewel (Spear), you’re guarding Diana Taurasi.’ My heart dropped,” Jackson said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is real.’ We’re really playing against the best players in the world.”

If USA Basketball reaches out to Taurasi to play in Paris, the answer will be the same as it was in 2004 to play in Athens, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, 2016 Rio, and the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games.

“It’s always an honor when you get the call,” Taurasi said. “I’ve always taken it. And if I’m ready, you know, I get that opportunity, it’ll be nice.”

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AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/olympics and https://apnews.com/hub/diana-taurasi