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| Skylar Diggins-Smith | |
|---|---|
| Name | Skylar Diggins-Smith |
| Position | Guard |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in |
| Weight | 150 lb |
| League | WNBA |
| Team | Phoenix Mercury |
| Birth date | 2 August 1990 |
| Birth place | South Bend, Indiana |
| College | Notre Dame (2009–2013) |
| Draft | 2013 WNBA draft, 1st round (3rd overall), Tulsa Shock |
Skylar Diggins-Smith is an American professional basketball player known for her scoring, playmaking, and leadership in the Women's National Basketball Association. A standout at Notre Dame under coach Muffet McGraw, she became a WNBA All-Star and franchise cornerstone for the Tulsa Shock, later the Dallas Wings, and the Phoenix Mercury. Her career includes collegiate national prominence, international club stints, and advocacy on issues intersecting sports and public health.
Diggins-Smith was born in South Bend, Indiana and raised in a family active in athletics and community life. She attended Adams High School in South Bend, where she played under regional competition that included programs like Mount Vernon and Lawrence North. As a highly recruited guard, she participated in national events such as the McDonald's All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit, drawing attention from programs including UConn, Stanford, and Tennessee before committing to Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, she played for coach Muffet McGraw and teamed with players like Skylar Diggins-Smith teammate (example) and opponents from Baylor, Connecticut, Louisville, and Duke. She earned accolades including Associated Press All-American honors and awards parallel to the Naismith College Player of the Year and Wade Trophy finalists. Notre Dame's tournament runs placed her in matchups at venues connected to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament against programs such as Stanford Cardinal, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, Notre Dame, and Maryland. Her college career featured collaboration with athletic departments, media coverage from outlets like ESPN and CBS Sports, and appearances at campus events tied to University of Notre Dame traditions.
Selected third overall in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Tulsa Shock, Diggins-Smith became an immediate starter and franchise face, appearing in WNBA All-Star Game selections and statistical leaderboards alongside peers such as Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Elena Delle Donne, and Breanna Stewart. During franchise transitions to the Dallas Wings, she continued to post high scoring and assist totals that placed her among WNBA leaders in points and assists per game, competing in playoff contexts involving teams like the Minnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm. In 2022 she signed with the Phoenix Mercury, joining rosters that feature veterans like Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi in matchups at arenas connected with the NBA infrastructure and media partners such as TNT and ABC.
During WNBA off-seasons, she played for international clubs in competitive leagues such as the EuroLeague Women, the Turkish Women's Basketball League and the Israeli Female Basketball Premier League, signing contracts with teams that often recruit WNBA talent, including clubs from Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and prominent organizations in Russia and Spain. Her overseas stints exposed her to coaches and teammates from national programs like Australia and France, and competitions organized by governing bodies such as FIBA and continental tournaments.
Diggins-Smith is noted for her scoring instincts, perimeter shooting, on-ball defense, and court vision, fitting comparisons to guards from NBA and WNBA histories including playmakers like Chris Paul and contemporaries like Skylar's peers (example) who emphasize pick-and-roll proficiency and transition offense. Her achievements include multiple WNBA All-Star Game selections, franchise records for assists and points, and recognition from media outlets including Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and USA Today. She has been part of league-wide conversations alongside figures like Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson about the growth of women's basketball and its commercial expansion through partnerships with organizations such as WNBA Players Association and broadcasters like ESPN.
She is married to Daniel Smith, with family ties and public appearances at events connected to Notre Dame athletics and community initiatives in South Bend, Indiana. Diggins-Smith's personal narrative has engaged with public health discussions, having shared experiences relating to pregnancy and recovery that entered discourse alongside organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and advocacy groups focused on maternal health. Her visibility has led to profiles in outlets like People (magazine) and features on programs such as Good Morning America.
Off the court she has engaged in endorsement deals and partnerships with brands in sports apparel and consumer goods, collaborating with companies like Nike, lifestyle brands, and philanthropic organizations. She has participated in community programs associated with NBA Cares-style initiatives, youth basketball camps tied to AAU, and fundraising events with foundations including local St. Joseph County charities. Her advocacy and public platform have intersected with campaigns involving NCAA student-athlete discussions, athlete empowerment initiatives, and media projects with networks such as ESPN and CBS Sports Network.
Category:Living people Category:Women basketball players