The WNBA announced today that Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been named the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The No. 1 pick of the Mercury in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Taurasi led the Mercury to a 17-17 record in her debut season, averaging 17.0 points per game, fourth best in the league.

Taurasi received 42 of 48 possible points – from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States – to be named the league’s top rookie. Washington’s Alana Beard finished second with four points and Minnesota’s Nicole Ohlde finished third with two points. As the WNBA Rookie of the Year, Taurasi will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000.

“Diana came out of college with a lot of expectations placed on her and she definitely delivered,” said Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka. “She has brought real star presence both on and off the court and we are very excited for her to be recognized as the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year.”

The most decorated college player coming into the 2004 WNBA season, Taurasi was a two-time Naismith Player of the Year (2003, 2004) and three-time NCAA champion at the University of Connecticut. When the Mercury made her the No. 1 pick, the rookie made an immediate splash, scoring 20+ in her first three games as a pro. Interrupting her rookie season was a trip to Athens, Greece in August where she joined forces with Team USA in bringing home a third consecutive gold medal.

The 22-year old Taurasi averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game for the Mercury. Starting all 34 games, the Chino, CA native averaged .416 shooting from the field (209-503) and connected on 62 of 188 shots (.330) from long range. Among league leaders, Taurasi finished in the league’s top 20 in several statistical categories: scoring (17.0 ppg – 4th overall), rebounding (4.4 rpg – 18th overall), assists (3.9 apg – 10th overall), three-point field goal percentage (.330 – 19th overall), steals (1.26 spg – 18th overall), blocks (0.74 – 17th overall) and minutes (33.2 mpg – 14th overall).

Among all rookies, Taurasi ranked first in scoring, first in three-point field-goal percentage, first in free throw percentage, first in minutes, second in rebounding, second in assists, third in field-goal percentage, third in steals and fourth in blocks. She is the first player in Mercury history to be named Rookie of the Year.

In addition to her individual accomplishments, Taurasi helped the Mercury post 17 victories on the season, nine more than in 2003. That improvement ties the fifth best turnaround in WNBA history. The Mercury’s 17-17 record was the first time since the 2000 (20-12) season that the team finished at or above the .500 mark.