In an astonishing display of longevity and dedication, Diana Taurasi will rewrite the record books as she prepares for her sixth Olympic Games appearance with the U.S. women's basketball team, aiming for an unprecedented eighth consecutive gold medal. The 42-year-old guard, who recently competed in the Tokyo Olympics, has confirmed that she will be back on the court in 2024 in Paris.

Taurasi, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, expressed her excitement about representing her country once again. In a candid interview with The Associated Press, she stated, "If I sign up to play, I sign up to play. I don't love how my last Olympics went personally. I think as a team we still have a lot to prove."

Having been an integral part of the U.S. women's team since graduating from the University of Connecticut in 2004, where she led the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA championships, Taurasi's presence on the court is invaluable. As the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, with over 10,000 points, she continues to perform at a remarkable level. In her 20th WNBA season with the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi is currently averaging 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Coach Cheryl Reeve spoke highly of Taurasi's experience and leadership, stating, "No one has done it more than her. There's no substitute for that level of experience." Taurasi's contribution to the team goes beyond her scoring ability, as her teammates acknowledge her unique knowledge and insight gained from years of playing on the international stage.

Taurasi's impressive Olympic career includes being the fourth-leading scorer in Olympic history with 414 points. She is only 74 points away from surpassing her former teammate Lisa Leslie for the top spot on the American list. Taurasi also holds the record for the most games played in Olympic history, having participated in 38 games thus far.

Reflecting on her favorite Olympic memory, Taurasi fondly recalled the unity experienced during the opening ceremony at her first Olympics in Athens in 2004. She described the event as unique with athletes from various disciplines coming together in one place.

Winning is no stranger to Taurasi, as she has yet to experience defeat at the Olympics. The U.S. team has an outstanding record of 38-0 in Olympic games in which Taurasi has competed, dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. She attributes this success to the winning culture ingrained in USA Basketball.

With an unwavering passion for the sport, Taurasi remains committed to basketball at the highest level. When asked about the possibility of playing in front of her hometown fans at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, she expressed her addiction to basketball, stating, "I'm just as addicted to basketball right now as I was when I was 15 playing in my driveway."

As Taurasi continues to defy age and expectations, her presence on the court serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide. With her record-breaking sixth Olympics appearance on the horizon, the basketball world eagerly awaits Taurasi's next chapter in rewriting the history books.