Skylar Diggins-Smith Bio
Skylar Kierra Diggins-Smith (born August 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Lunar Owls of Unrivaled. Diggins-Smith was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA draft. In high school, she was the National Gatorade Player of the Year and the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year. She played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and led the team to three consecutive Final Fours and two consecutive NCAA championship appearances. She finished her Notre Dame career ranked first in points and steals, second in assists, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.
Early Life and Background
Skylar Diggins-Smith was born in South Bend, Indiana. She is the daughter of Tige Diggins and Renee Scott, and has three younger brothers and one younger sister. Growing up, she also played softball and was a four-year varsity basketball letter winner at Washington High School in South Bend. During her high school career, she led the Panthers to a combined record of 102–7 and finished with 2,790 points, the third-highest girls’ scoring total in Indiana history. Diggins-Smith received numerous national honors, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Gatorade National Player of the Year. She was also a McDonald’s All-American selection and participated in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game.
Path to Basketball
After high school, Skylar Diggins-Smith chose to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she continued to excel in basketball. During her freshman season, she set several records and became the fourth Indiana native to join the Irish roster. She made her collegiate debut on November 15, 2009, and quickly established herself as a key player. Throughout her college career, she earned multiple accolades, including being named Big East Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-American. Diggins-Smith’s impressive performances helped lead the Fighting Irish to three consecutive Final Fours and two NCAA championship game appearances.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Skylar Diggins-Smith began her professional career when she was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA draft. In her rookie season, she averaged 8.5 points per game and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Her breakout season came in 2014, when she was selected as a WNBA All-Star for the first time. That year, she averaged 20.1 points per game, ranking second in the league, and won the WNBA Most Improved Player Award.
Breakthrough (2015–2019)
In 2015, Diggins-Smith faced a setback when she suffered a torn ACL, which sidelined her for the remainder of the season. However, she made a strong comeback in 2016, returning to the court with the newly renamed Dallas Wings. She continued to perform at a high level, earning multiple All-Star selections and helping the Wings reach the playoffs. In 2019, she opted to sit out the season after giving birth to her first child. Despite the challenges, Diggins-Smith remained a prominent figure in women’s basketball.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Skylar Diggins-Smith has been recognized for her outstanding achievements, including being a seven-time WNBA All-Star and a four-time All-WNBA First Team selection. She has also received the Nancy Lieberman Award twice, solidifying her status as one of the top point guards in the league.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Award Nominations
Skylar Diggins-Smith has received numerous nominations throughout her career, highlighting her exceptional talent and contributions to the sport of basketball.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Awards Won
Skylar Diggins-Smith has won several prestigious awards, including the WNBA Most Improved Player Award and multiple All-Star selections, showcasing her impact in the league.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Family
Skylar Diggins-Smith was previously married to Daniel Smith, a former wide receiver at Notre Dame. They have two children together. As of April 2025, Diggins-Smith has filed for divorce, stating that their marriage was “irretrievably broken.”
Personal Life
In addition to her basketball career, Skylar Diggins-Smith is an advocate against childhood obesity and has participated in various charitable activities. She has also signed endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike and Bodyarmor SuperDrink. Diggins-Smith has been featured in Vogue magazine and has hosted basketball camps for youth around the world.