The GIST: It’s officially the end of an era — for the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, and sports as a whole — after the iconic Diana Taurasi announced her retirement yesterday. Fully satiated, the hoops giant’s storied career is truly one for the history books.

❣️ DT’s impact on the game is second to none, as evidenced in a September thank you video that foreshadowed her impending retirement. Widely considered to be one of the greatest women’s players of all time, her 20 WNBA seasons in Phoenix were characterized by unbridled grit and determination on the court and unmatched charisma and advocacy off of it.

• Whether it was at UConn, in the pros, or on the international stage, DT was unapologetically herself — and that paved the way for the next generation of women hoopers to be both edgy and skilled, ruthless and likeable. Some even forayed into trash talk to mimic their idol.

As the sun sets on her remarkable career, let’s take a look inside DT’s jam-packed trophy case:

🏆 Not only is she a three-time WNBA champion (2007, 2009, 2014), Taurasi’s a two-time Finals MVP (2009, 2014), league MVP (2009), and 11-time All-Star.

• After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2004, DT went on to win Rookie of the Year honors. Special from the beginning.

🪣 Taurasi’s the all-time WNBA leading scorer, amassing 10,646 career points.

🥇 The six-time Olympic gold medalist is the only American hooper to compete in six Games, let alone win gold in every appearance.

All that’s left to say is thank you: Doors will never be the same, and neither will women’s basketball.

In celebration of Black History Month, we’ll be highlighting Black sportspeople every Wednesday, spotlighting folks from the broadcast booth, the C-Suite, and beyond.

The GIST: Black women smashing ceilings in sports is nothing new — and there’s only more to come. That’s why we’re capping off our Black History Month series by highlighting three Black women whose futures are so bright, shades are a must.

🤸 Jordan Chiles, UCLA and Team USA gymnastics: The dynamic American gymnast is already a multi-Olympic medalist, most recently earning gold in the team event at the Paris Games — but that’s only part of the reason she was named one of TIME’s women of the year. Her resilience and grace in the face of adversity left so many in awe this year.

• From floor routines that spark joy to her pre-meet sweet tooth, friend of The GIST Chiles is a gymnastics icon, demonstrating growing diversity in the sport while also being a vocal advocate for mental health — from the UCLA mat and beyond, she’s just getting started.

🏀 JuJu Watkins, USC basketball: Not only is the superstar sophomore a force to be reckoned with on the court — she’s the only DI college player to tally more than 35 points, 10 boards, eight blocks, and five threes in a single game — Watkins is making waves off the hardwood too, boasting an NIL portfolio that includes one of the most lucrative shoe deals in women’s hoops history.

• What’s more, the LA kid is (literally) invested in making the game and community she loves more inclusive and accessible, promoting the rise of women’s basketball as an early Unrivaled backer while also championing her late grandfather’s legacy.

🏒 Sophie Jaques, Minnesota Frost: Making history is nothing new for the Canadian, whose college heroics catapulted Ohio State into national title contention during her five-year tenure. And when her name was engraved on the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award — given to the top player in women’s college hockey — she became the first Black player to receive the honor.

• Jaques, who, in 2024, was the first Black player drafted to the PWHL, is also skating towards an even bigger legacy. She serves as a spokesperson for Black Girl Hockey Club, an initiative working to make hockey more accessible for Black women. Puck yeah.

💄 When the less fun parts of pregnancy start to, ahem, weigh you down, self-care becomes even more crucial. But some parts of your routine could have hidden risks for your baby (looking at you, retinol), and clear information can be hard to come by. Enter: the Little Bean app.

• Little Bean scans your cosmetics labels for potentially harmful ingredients, then provides clear and concise summaries to help you make informed choices and protect your tiny bestie. It’s a huge weight off your shoulders (if not off your belly).

⛳ LPGA: HSBC Women’s World Championship — Tonight through Saturday — Golf Channel

• Night owls, rejoice. Starting at 9:30 p.m. ET, world No. 6 Hannah Green defends her title against top-ranked players in Singapore, including No. 5 Lilia Vu and No. 28 Brooke Henderson, both of whom are seeking their first win of the year.

⚽ SheBelieves Cup: No. 1 USWNT vs. No. 8 Japan — Tonight at 10:30 p.m ET — TBS

• The Americans are competing for their sixth straight SheBelieves Cup trophy, and can clinch the friendly tourney title with a dub — but they can’t underestimate Japan.
• The Nadeshiko have been on a tear, outscoring opponents 8–1, and can win it all with either a W or a draw against the Red, White, and Blue thanks to their stellar goal differential. Drama.

🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: No. 22 Creighton vs. No. 5 UConn — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — CBS Sports Network

• GQ cover star Paige Bueckers’ Huskies are on the edge of clinching the regular-season Big East title, but their strongest conference opponent stands in the way. Tune in to see if the Blue Jays can soar and cause a bit of conference chaos.

🏒 NHL: St. Louis Blues vs. Washington Capitals — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — ESPN+

• Don’t look now, but Caps captain Alex Ovechkin is just 12 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record after lighting one lamp in last night’s 3–1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Will he inch even closer against the middling Blues?

Hockey, merch, and a trip — sounds like the perfect combo. That’s why we’re giving you the chance to win two tickets to an upcoming PWHL Takeover Tour game to see the best hockey players live.

The giveaway includes:

• 🎟 Two tickets to a game of your choice: March 16th in Detroit or March 29th in St. Louis
• 👕 PWHL merch prize pack: Gear up in style
• 💰 $400 for travel: Cover your trip, grab some snacks, and enjoy the game stress-free

Sharpen those skates because this contest won’t last forever. Will you be the lucky fan hitting the road? Enter now for your chance to win.

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Black women breaking barriers in college hockey. More Black women are hitting the ice than ever before, with NCAA rosters seeing an increase from four players in 2019 to at least 13 this season.

A “Black Excellence” jersey. The Charlotte Hornets just dropped the NBA’s first-ever Black Excellence Jersey, featuring gold pinstripes repping Charlotte’s historic Black neighborhoods and dogwood details symbolizing the city’s heart.

*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Eye spy good eyewear.

ICYMI: Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, but that’s no reason to stay cooped up inside — especially when Zunnies can protect your eyes from that harsh winter sun bouncing off the snow. Aside from hitting the slopes, what’s your favorite outdoor activity this time of year?