Diana Taurasi has announced her retirement, causing many other basketball legends such as LeBron James and Caitlin Clark to express their gratitude. “I just don’t have the strength anymore,” the 42-year-old Phoenix Mercury point guard told Time magazine in an exclusive interview airing Tuesday, February 25 about her decision to give up her professional basketball career. Taurasi usually begins preparing for training camp on January 1, but this year she did not participate. The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer is the first player to win six Olympic gold medals, according to USA Basketball. Her resume is filled with awards and honors, most of which she achieved after being drafted by the Mercury in 2004 the same year she was the WNBA’s No. 1 pick. The four-time USA Basketball Women’s Basketball Player of the Year winner transformed the league with her elite talent and competitive spirit, attracting more fans to the sport.

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When Taurasi’s decision was made on Tuesday night, 23-year-old Caitlin Clark posted the news to her Instagram and reacted with one word: “Legend.” Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, posted a tribute video in which she referred to Taurasi as the “White Mamba”, a reference to her late husband’s nickname “Black Mamba”. “Kobe called him ‘White Mamba’ for a reason,” Vanessa, 42, said in the video highlighting Taurasi’s iconic career. “He was a cold killer on the court, fiercely competitive, and he changed the game for everyone.”