Skylar Diggins is already a certified WNBA legend — the kind who backs up the hype with actual buckets. She’s got elite handles, court vision for days, and the kind of confidence that makes defenders nervous before tip-off. And yes, her presence off the court has turned heads too — including a feature in Sports Illustrated. Talent and star power? She brought both.
At 35, Skylar isn’t coasting on reputation. She’s still competing at a high level, bringing the same fire and intensity that defined her college days. Some players slow down. Skylar just keeps evolving — and reminding everyone why her name stays in the conversation.
Who is Skylar Diggins
Skylar is one of those players who makes running a team look effortless — even though we all know it’s not. A dynamic guard for the Seattle Storm, she’s built a résumé that includes six WNBA All-Star selections and four All-WNBA First Team honors. Casual greatness.
Before going pro, she was a star at University of Notre Dame, where she became one of the most recognizable names in women’s college basketball. She was selected third overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft and went on to shine with the Tulsa Shock (now the Dallas Wings), the Dallas Wings, and the Phoenix Mercury before landing in Seattle. Oh — and she also picked up Olympic gold along the way. No big deal.
Her Early Life
Skylar Diggins was born on August 2, 1990, in South Bend, Indiana, to Tige Diggins and Renee Scott. She grew up in a busy household with three younger brothers — Tige, Destyn, and Maurice — and a younger sister, Hanneaf. Competition was basically part of daily life. And basketball wasn’t her only thing — she also played softball growing up, because apparently one sport wasn’t enough.
At Washington High School, Skylar became a four-year varsity standout and helped lead the Panthers to a jaw-dropping 102–7 record during her time there. Yes, 102 wins. Casual dominance. She guided the team to multiple state championship games, including a title-winning season in 2007, and finished her high school career with the third-highest scoring total in Indiana girls’ basketball history, averaging 25.9 points per game. Basically, buckets were guaranteed.
The awards? They piled up quickly. She was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and Miss Indiana Basketball. She also earned WBCA All-American honors and was selected as a McDonald’s All-American, playing in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game.
Off the court, Skylar wasn’t just about crossovers and clutch shots. She also played volleyball and took academics seriously, earning High Academic Honors as a senior and joining the National Honor Society. Student-athlete in the truest sense.
Back in high school, she even appeared in the “Faces in the Crowd” section of Sports Illustrated — which is basically the sports world’s way of saying, “Keep an eye on this one.” She ultimately chose Notre Dame over Stanford, though she later became friends with Stanford alum Candice Wiggins after visiting the campus. Competitive on the court, friendly off it — balance is key.
From elite playmaker to Olympic champion, Skylar’s career has been less about hype and more about delivering — year after year.
Career Journey
In the 2013 WNBA Draft, Skylar Diggins was selected third overall by the Tulsa Shock — and she wasted no time proving she belonged. As a rookie, she averaged 8.5 points and led the team in assists, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Solid start. But she was just warming up.
By 2014, Skylar had officially entered her breakout era. She was named a WNBA All-Star for the first time — and not just any All-Star, but a voted-in starter. In one regular-season game against the San Antonio Stars, she dropped a career-high 34 points. Then at the All-Star Game, she casually poured in 27 points, including a clutch layup that forced overtime. No pressure.
That season, she ranked second in the league in scoring (20.1 points per game), fourth in assists (5.0), and tenth in steals (1.5). She also broke the franchise single-season scoring record and walked away with the 2014 WNBA Most Improved Player Award. From promising to unstoppable in one season.
Fast forward to June 8, 2018 — Skylar set a new career-high with 35 points and added 12 rebounds in a win over the Indiana Fever. She earned her fourth All-Star selection that year and posted a career-high average in assists. At that point, consistency wasn’t just a trait — it was her brand.
In early 2020, she announced she wouldn’t return to the Dallas Wings. Shortly after, she was acquired by the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal. That season, of course, came with a plot twist: the pandemic shortened the WNBA schedule to 22 games in a bubble at IMG Academy. Skylar returned to action on July 25, 2020, proving once again that adapting is part of her skill set.
And because one league wasn’t enough, it was announced in August 2024 that she would join Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. On January 17, 2025, in the league’s opening game, Skylar hit the game-winning three-pointer for the Lunar Owls.
Facts and Trivia
Skylar Diggins-Smith has been collecting gold medals almost as consistently as she collects assists.
Back in 2009, she played on the USA U19 World Championship Team in Bangkok, where the squad went 8–1 and brought home the gold. Two years later, she suited up again for USA Basketball at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China. That team went a perfect 6–0, and in one matchup against Great Britain, Skylar led the squad in points, assists, and steals — because if you’re going to show up, you might as well run the stat sheet.
In total, she’s a five-time USA Basketball gold medalist, including an Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games. Casual global dominance.
Off the court, she’s just as headline-worthy. She became the first female athlete to sign with Roc Nation Sports, proving her star power extends well beyond the hardwood. She’s also known for her sharp fashion sense — tunnel fits included — and has even worked as a commentator for ESPN. Hoops IQ and mic skills? Versatile.
Her playlist? Think Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé — good taste, you fuckers!!!
And following her divorce in 2025, she returned to using her maiden name, Diggins. Through every chapter — Team USA runs, Olympic podiums, media appearances — one thing’s been consistent: Skylar shows up ready, polished, and in control of her narrative.
Skylar Diggins Photos
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