Diana Taurasi talks WNBA All-Star Game and her favorite Phoenix restaurants

• "I think it's one of the only downtowns that's gotten nicer and better and more modern. This city is growing," she said.
• She also highlighted the Coronado neighborhood with its historic homes and artsy cafés.

Zoom in: Taurasi, who is a vegan, also shared her favorite restaurants in the Valley:

• Tacos Veganos
• Green New American
• The Coronado

Driving the news: Taurasi will appear in her 11th All-Star Game July 20 at Footprint Center.

• "All Star Weekend is just a time to really celebrate the WNBA … and this city does it better than anyone else," she said, giving kudos to Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who Taurasi said fought to host the game.

Zoom in: Axios caught up with Taurasi during the launch of a new partnership with pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Regeneron, the makers of eczema treatment Dupixent.

• Taurasi has struggled with moderate-to-severe eczema since college. She claimed she was fined by the WNBA for wearing arm sleeves during the 2009 WNBA Finals, where she led the Mercury to victory.
• "I was just like, whatever it takes for me not to just think about my eczema," she said.