Taurasi Was Almost Twice Legal Limit: Cops

Former Husky Diana Taurasi, a true pro on the basketball court, was she was in a totally different kind of court Tuesday to answer to DUI charges.

The Phoenix Mercury Star faces drunken driving charges stemming from a July 2 incident in which she was also cited for speeding.

A Phoenix police report shows Taurasi's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, more than twice the Arizona legal limit. She pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and her next scheduled court date is July 22.

The 27-year-old guard was cited hours after she scored 22 points in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.

A police officer who stopped Taurasi's vehicle after seeing it drift outside a traffic lane near downtown Phoenix claims she was driving nearly 20 mph over the 35 mph limit.

"We're aware of the recent reports in regards to the situation with Diana Taurasi," the Mercury said in a statement. "Our organization takes these matters very seriously. We have discussed the matter internally and determined that until all the facts are known to us, it would be inappropriate to announce a particular course of action."

Taurasi had left a nightclub and was heading to the Phoenician hotel with some friends when police stopped her, according to the police report.  

While cops say Taurasi was drunk, they also noted in the report that she was polite and courteous.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Connecticut

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