“Just seeing her transcend the game, watching little girls want to play like her, her style, her flair, her bravado, you know, her swagger, it’s been an unbelievable treat,” James told TIME’s Sean Gregory. “She’s one of the all-time greatest, and she will leave her mark on the game of basketball the moment she ties those shoes up and throws them over the pole line. It’s been an honor. All love.”

Taurasi and James each made their Olympic debut in 2004. The WNBA and NBA all-time leading scorers represented the United States together three more times. Each led their respective Team USA squad to gold in Paris last summer.

“She’s just super-duper, down-to-earth, supercool, super witty, talks her sh-t too,” James said. “It’s always fun being around her. She keeps you on your toes. She’s just a super competitor. No matter men or women, she’s one of the fiercest competitors that I’ve ever spent time with. She’s a champion. She’s a warrior.”

Taurasi told TIME she’s “definitely retired” with no intentions of pursuing a comeback.

“I just didn’t have it in me,” Taurasi said. “That was pretty much when I knew it was time to walk away.”

The 42-year-old sounded content with her decision to walk away.

“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi explained. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

As the WNBA’s oldest active player, Taurasi averaged 14.9 points per game in 2024. James, who turned 40 in December, is the NBA’s elder statesman.

The basketball world could soon commemorate LeBron’s career when he follows Taurasi’s lead and retires. Yet the 22-year veteran is still going strong for the Los Angeles Lakers.