LeBron James lauded Diana Tausari as "one of the all-time greatest" after the six-time Olympic gold medallist announced her retirement from basketball. (More Sports News)
Tausari - known affectionately as "the White Mamba" - has called time on a decorated career, in which she became the WNBA's all-time leading points scorer and won three league titles with the Phoenix Mercury.
The 42-year-old, who played each of her 20 seasons with the Mercury, is the only player in the league's history to score over 10,000 points (10,646).
And her achievements were hailed by another basketball great.
"Just seeing her transcend the game, watching little girls want to play like her - her style, her flair, her bravado, her swagger - it's been an unbelievable treat," four-time NBA Finals MVP James told TIME magazine.
"She's one of the all-time greatest, and she will leave her mark on the game of basketball the moment she ties those shoes up and throws them over the pole line. It's been an honour."
Becky Hammon played and coached against Tausari, who also played the second-most WNBA regular-season games (565), and the Las Vegas Aces boss concurred with James' thoughts.
"To me, she's the greatest player," Hammon said. "It's like when you talk about LeBron James. Some people would knock on him when he passed the ball, but it was the right decision. Great players - the GOATs - just make the right play."
