Skylar Diggins-Smith Bio
Skylar Kierra Diggins-Smith, born on August 2, 1990, is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the premier point guards of her generation. She currently plays for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and also competes for the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, a three-on-three women’s basketball league. A seven-time WNBA All-Star and four-time All-WNBA First Team selection, Diggins has built a reputation for her scoring, playmaking, and leadership on the court.
Drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Diggins quickly emerged as a franchise cornerstone before continuing her career with the Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm. Beyond her professional achievements, she is known for her advocacy work, endorsement portfolio, and global youth basketball camps.
Early Life and Background
Skylar Diggins was born in South Bend, Indiana, to parents Tige Diggins and Renee Scott. She grew up in a close-knit family with three younger brothers, Tige, Destyn, and Maurice, and one younger sister, Hanneaf. In addition to basketball, Diggins played softball during her childhood, showcasing her athletic versatility from an early age.
She attended Washington High School in South Bend, where she was a four-year varsity basketball letter winner. During her high school career, the Panthers posted a combined record of 102–7, and Diggins led the team to multiple state championship games, including a title-winning season in 2007. She finished her high school career with 2,790 points, averaging 25.9 points per game.
Diggins earned numerous national honors, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and Indiana Miss Basketball. She was also a McDonald’s All-American and participated in volleyball, while maintaining strong academics as a member of the National Honor Society.
Path to Basketball
Diggins chose to play college basketball at the University of Notre Dame, turning down offers from programs such as Stanford. She joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2009 and quickly made an impact, setting four freshman records during her first season. Her 484 total points and 112 assists ranked among the best ever by a Notre Dame freshman.
As a sophomore, Diggins rose to national prominence by leading Notre Dame to its second championship game appearance in school history. She became the second Notre Dame women’s basketball player to reach the 1,000-point milestone before the end of her sophomore year and earned third-team All-American honors.
In her junior and senior seasons, Diggins continued to elevate her game, setting a school record with 102 steals in one season and recording the first triple-double in Notre Dame postseason history. She finished her college career ranked first in points and steals, second in assists, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Skylar Diggins was selected third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA Draft. In her rookie season, she averaged 8.5 points and 3.8 assists per game and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. The following year, she had a breakout 2014 campaign, earning her first WNBA All-Star selection and winning the WNBA Most Improved Player Award. She ranked second in the league in scoring at 20.1 points per game and set a franchise record with 683 points in a single season.
On June 28, 2015, Diggins suffered a torn ACL late in a game against the Seattle Storm, forcing her to miss the remainder of the season. Despite playing only nine games, she was voted a starter for the WNBA All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.
Dallas Wings Era (2016–2019)
After recovering from her ACL injury, Diggins returned in 2016 to find that the Tulsa Shock had relocated and rebranded as the Dallas Wings. She signed a multi-year contract extension with the team and played 27 games that season, averaging 13.1 points per game. In 2017, she returned to peak form, playing all 34 games and scoring a season-high 30 points with a franchise-record seven three-pointers against the San Antonio Stars.
Diggins earned another All-Star selection in 2018 and set a new career-high with 35 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over the Indiana Fever. In 2019, she opted to sit out the entire season following the birth of her first child in April. She later revealed she had played the entire 2018 season while pregnant and had taken time away from basketball to address postpartum depression.
Phoenix Mercury Era (2020–2023)
In February 2020, Diggins was acquired by the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal. She made her Mercury debut on July 25, 2020, and scored a season-high 33 points in an overtime win against the Connecticut Sun. The Mercury reached the playoffs that year, defeating the Washington Mystics before falling to the Minnesota Lynx in the second round.
Diggins continued as a key contributor for the Mercury over the following seasons, earning All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2020 and additional All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022.
Seattle Storm Era (2024–Present)
On February 1, 2024, Diggins signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm. She joined a competitive roster and quickly became a leader in the backcourt. On January 17, 2025, playing for the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, Diggins hit the game-winning three-point shot in the league’s opening game against the Mist.
In 2025, Diggins was again named a WNBA All-Star, extending her All-Star selections to seven across her career. She was also named to the Unrivaled Second Team All-Unrivaled for her performances in the inaugural season.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a point guard, Diggins excels at creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her combination of speed, court vision, and three-point shooting makes her a constant threat in transition and half-court sets. She is known for her poise under pressure and her ability to perform in clutch moments, evidenced by her game-winning shot in Unrivaled’s opening contest.
Notable Events and Milestones
Diggins has achieved numerous milestones throughout her career, including a franchise-record 683-point season with the Shock, multiple All-Star appearances, and an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She also became the first female athlete to sign with Roc Nation Sports and has appeared in Vogue and Sports Illustrated.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Career Wins
Throughout her professional career, Skylar Diggins has earned recognition as one of the most consistent and productive guards in the WNBA. Her accolades include seven All-Star selections, four All-WNBA First Team honors, and the 2014 WNBA Most Improved Player Award.
WNBA Highlights
Diggins has been selected to the WNBA All-Star Game seven times, in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2025. She was also named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2014, 2017, 2021, and 2022, and to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2018 and 2020.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the WNBA, Diggins won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and competed in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, where she was named to the Second Team All-Unrivaled in 2025. She also earned gold medals at the 2008 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship, and the 2011 World University Games.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
This section does not apply to Skylar Diggins-Smith’s profile as a basketball player.
Personal Life
Skylar Diggins holds a degree from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. In June 2016, she became engaged to Daniel Smith, a former Clay High School and Notre Dame wide receiver. The couple married in May 2017, and she changed her last name to Diggins-Smith. They have two children together. As of April 2025, Diggins was not using Smith in her last name on the Seattle Storm’s training camp roster, going by Skylar Diggins. In May 2025, it was reported that Diggins filed for divorce from Smith on March 26, 2025, after separating in November 2024, stating that their marriage was irretrievably broken.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 WNBA season, Diggins continued her role as a veteran leader for the Seattle Storm. She was selected to the WNBA All-Star Game for the seventh time in her career, further cementing her legacy as one of the league’s top point guards. Her scoring and playmaking remained central to the Storm’s offensive scheme.
Beyond the WNBA, Diggins played a key role for the Lunar Owls during the inaugural Unrivaled season. She hit the game-winning three-pointer in the league’s opening game and was named to the Second Team All-Unrivaled for 2025. Her performances in both leagues highlighted her continued excellence and adaptability.
Off the court, Diggins remained active in her advocacy against childhood obesity and continued hosting her Shoot 4 The Sky youth basketball camps. As she moved through the 2025 season, Diggins balanced her professional commitments with her personal life transitions, demonstrating resilience and focus.