Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been nominated for The 2009 ESPYs co-presented by Under Armour and Land Rover, the club announced today. Taurasi, who led the WNBA in scoring last season with a 24.1-point average, is nominated for Best WNBA Player.

Taurasi is seeking her fourth ESPY, which would tie her with Chamique Holdsclaw for the most ESPYs for a female basketball player. She previously received ESPY awards for Best Female College Athlete of the Year (2004, 2003) and Best Female Athlete of the Year (2004). A fourth nod this year would make Taurasi the first Mercury Player to receive an ESPY.

Taurasi, a two-time WNBA Peak Performer as the league’s top scorer, is up against Detroit Shock guard Deanna Nolan, Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker and Connecticut Sun guard Lindsay Whalen.

Fans will determine the winner in 37 categories of awards by voting online at www.espys.tv or via mobile phone at www.espn.mobi. Voting runs through 8:59 p.m. on July 11 and The 2009 ESPYs will be televised Sunday, July 19 at 6 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN HD.

The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The ESPYs honor ESPN’s commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a partnership launched with the late Jim Valvano at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.

The Mercury returns to action tonight as it hosts the Seattle Storm at US Airways Center. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $10. For tickets and information, call (602) 252-WNBA or visit phoenixmercury.com.