Before Caitlin Clark’s arrival helped spark a new wave of attention for the WNBA, the league’s marquee star was Diana Taurasi — widely regarded as one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has played alongside both, didn’t hesitate in her response when asked to compare them.
Taurasi’s résumé speaks for itself: three WNBA championships with the Phoenix Mercury (2007, 2009, 2014), two Finals MVP awards, one league MVP, and the all-time scoring record with 10,646 points, among other records.
Cunningham joined the Mercury in 2019 and played six seasons alongside Taurasi. After Taurasi’s retirement, Phoenix traded Cunningham to the Indiana Fever — pairing her with Clark — as part of a four-team deal.
Ahead of the Fever’s matchup with the Mercury, Cunningham spoke with Hayden Cilley of ClutchPoints about her current and former superstar teammates. Before making any comparisons, she made it clear: Taurasi is her GOAT over any other player.
Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the fourth quarter at Footprint Center. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
“DT will always be my GOAT,” Cunningham said. “I’ve never met someone who thinks the game how she thinks. The way that she was a pro in doing her weights, her rehab. The way she trained in the offseason when she was toward the end of her career, when she wasn’t going overseas. I’ve just never seen anything like that. But the way that Caitlin thinks of the game, that’s a really close second”.
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“They’re always 10 plays ahead of everyone,” Cunningham added. “They’re always on a whole different wavelength. I’m just happy that I got my time with DT… But it’s been fun to be a sponge and then, kind of talking with Caitlin. … She’s at the beginning of her professional career, but there are a lot of similarities”.
Taurasi about Clark’s Impact
Taurasi and Clark only shared one WNBA season, facing each other twice — both wins for the Fever star. While rumors suggested tension between the two, Taurasi dismissed them in an interview with FanSided.
“We get along really well,” Taurasi stated. “We got some great interactions. I just absolutely love what she does on the court, off the court. When I watch her play, and the way she goes about her business, there’s a seriousness about it that I love. … You know, she’s taking this game to new heights and it’s been amazing to watch and follow her. You know, it’s only gonna get better for our league and for Caitlin”.
