Val Ackerman: It’s been and continues to be a very exciting year on the court for the WNBA. Part of that excitement is attributable to the performances of the newcomers who have joined the league this year. No one I know doubted the class of 2004 would have an impact this fast. As it turns out, they did that and more. This class has brought skill, they’ve brought attitude, they’ve brought a great sense of competition to the league and I know that they all have a really incredible future. But as always, one rose to the top this year and what a year it was for her. From the NCAA championship to a spot on the Olympic team to being the first pick in the WNBA Draft, to leading a very meaningful turnaround effort in Phoenix to a Gold Medal in Athens. The Rookie of the Year really did it all this year and she did it with the poise of a veteran and a lot of class. It was hard to imagine any player who seems to love the game more. The joy on the court every time she plays is visible for all to see. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what the Rookie of the Year is going to do for an encore next year. With that, our announcement today and I say it with great pleasure, is that our 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year is Diana Taurasi.

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury

Q: How are you planning on spending the off season?
Diana Taurasi: Through January, pretty much relax and workout. Just hangout with the family, I haven’t done that for awhile. When January comes around, I’ll be going back to Connecticut to finish school. That’s pretty much what I have planned.

Q: How much basketball will you be taking off between now and January?
Taurasi: Probably not much. I took three or four days off and started working out on Friday again. As a basketball player, if you spend one or two days out of the gym, it feels like you haven’t done anything. It’s more of a mental break than anything.

Q: What is your own assessment of what kind of impact you had on the Mercury?
Taurasi: Last year they didn’t do much. They played hard, but winning they didn’t do, so I think this year was more of an attitude and more of a belief that we can win games, with myself and a new coaching staff and bringing in players like Penny with players that were already here. So, I think it was more of an attitude that we brought to the team and you have to believe that you can win to actually go out there and win. I think as a whole this season was an accomplishment. Towards the end of the year we grew as a team even though we lost games, I think in the long run it will help us out.