Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Penny Taylor - Phoenix MercuryHere are the details about Penny Taylor:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Penelope Jane Taylor
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Age: Born May 24, 1981
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
  • Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 2 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 US (women’s)
  • Number: #13 (Phoenix Mercury)
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Belgrave South Red Devils, Upwey High School, Victoria, Australia
  • College: Did not attend college in the U.S.; played professionally in Australia
  • WNBA Draft: 2001, 1st round, 11th overall pick by the Cleveland Rockers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Cleveland Rockers (2001–2003)
    • Phoenix Mercury (2004–2016)
    • Played internationally for teams in Italy, Turkey, and Russia during the WNBA off-seasons
  • Accolades:
    • Championship Rings: 3 WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014 with Phoenix Mercury)
    • WNBA All-Star: 3-time WNBA All-Star (2002, 2007, 2011)
    • Known for her versatility, elite defense, and leadership, she was an essential part of Phoenix’s championship runs.
  • Kids: 2 children with wife Diana Taurasi (WNBA star)
  • Siblings: Penny has an older brother, Phil Taylor.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Penny Taylor’s player archetype was that of a skilled two-way wing forward, a smooth offensive connector who could score from multiple levels, defend across matchups, and elevate star-led lineups without ever forcing the game. Defensively, she brought real versatility, handling wing assignments, rotating intelligently, and using length, timing, and discipline to bother scorers while still contributing on the glass. Offensively, Taylor functioned as a secondary playmaker and efficient scorer, thriving as a cutter, transition finisher, mid-range threat, and smart half-court option who could space the floor, attack closeouts, and keep the ball moving. Physically, she offered a long 6-foot-1 frame, fluid mobility, and coordinated athleticism that let her play bigger than a typical wing while still moving comfortably in space. Altogether, her play style was polished, unselfish, and highly adaptable, blending finesse, feel, and all-around impact in a way that made her one of the most complete forwards of her era. (Phoenix Mercury)

Fun Facts

  • She married fellow NBA star Diana Taurasi in 2017. They have lived together in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sources:
Phoenix Mercury — Penny Taylor
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame — Penny Taylor
Basketball Australia — Penny Taylor Inducted Into FIBA Hall Of Fame