Skylar Diggins Wiki, Bio, Networth, BF, Husband, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins is an American professional basketball player renowned for her dynamic presence as a point guard in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Currently playing for the Seattle Storm, she has established herself as a six-time WNBA All-Star and a four-time All-WNBA First Team selection. Diggins is celebrated for her exceptional ball-handling skills, scoring prowess, and court vision, making her one of the league’s premier talents. Beyond her on-court achievements, she is also recognized for her advocacy for women’s rights in sports, particularly regarding maternity protections and equal pay.

Skylar Diggins Overview

Early Life and Education of Skylar Diggins

Born Skylar Kierra Diggins on August 2, 1990, in South Bend, Indiana, she emerged as a prodigious talent in basketball from a young age. Her parents are Tige Diggins and Renee Scott, and she grew up as the eldest of five siblings, including brothers Destyn, Maurice Scott Jr., Tige Diggins Jr., and a sister, Haneefah Davis. Skylar’s family encouraged her athleticism; her mother was a gymnast, and her stepfather, Maurice Scott, who became a significant influence after her parents’ separation, was the director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in South Bend, where he also coached young athletes.

Diggins attended Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, where she left an indelible mark on the state’s basketball history. She led the Panthers to an impressive 102-7 record over four years and secured a state championship title in 2007. She finished her prep career with an astounding 2,790 points, ranking as the third-highest girls’ scoring total in Indiana history, averaging 25.9 points per game. Her exceptional high school performance earned her numerous national accolades, including the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Indiana Miss Basketball, and a McDonald’s All-American selection in 2009. Beyond basketball, she also played volleyball and maintained high academic honors as a member of the National Honor Society.

Following her stellar high school career, Skylar Diggins chose to stay in her hometown and committed to the University of Notre Dame, playing for the Fighting Irish from 2009 to 2013. During her collegiate tenure, she guided Notre Dame to a remarkable 130-20 record, four NCAA Tournament appearances, three consecutive Final Fours, and two NCAA championship game appearances. She became the most decorated college player in Notre Dame history, earning recognition as a two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner (2012, 2013) for the nation’s top point guard, a two-time Big East Player of the Year (2012, 2013), and a three-time All-American. Diggins made history as the only Notre Dame basketball player to accumulate over 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 steals in her career.

Skylar Diggins’ Career

College Career Highlights

Skylar Diggins’ collegiate career at Notre Dame was marked by consistent excellence and leadership. In her junior year, she achieved the rare feat of exceeding 600 points, 200 assists, and 100 steals in a single season, setting a school record with 102 steals. She also recorded her first “triple-double” in an NCAA Tournament game against Maryland. As a senior, she earned her second Nancy Lieberman Award, becoming only the third player to achieve this distinction. She finished her time at Notre Dame as the school’s all-time leader in points, steals, free throws made, and games started.

Professional Career in the WNBA

Skylar Diggins was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA Draft, embarking on her professional journey. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in her inaugural season.

Her breakthrough season came in 2014, where she significantly improved her performance, more than doubling her point production to 20.1 points per game, along with 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals. This stellar year earned her the WNBA Most Improved Player Award and her first WNBA All-Star selection, where she was voted as a starter. She scored a career-high 34 points against the San Antonio Stars that season.

In June 2015, Diggins suffered a torn ACL, which sidelined her for the remainder of the season, though she was still named an All-Star starter. She returned to elite performance, continuing to be a cornerstone for the franchise as it rebranded to the Dallas Wings in 2016.

In 2018, Skylar Diggins-Smith impressively played the entire season while pregnant, showcasing her dedication and resilience. She then sat out the 2019 season for maternity leave. In February 2020, she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury. With the Mercury, she continued to excel, earning All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2020 and All-WNBA First Team honors in 2021 and 2022.

Diggins-Smith missed the entire 2023 WNBA season due to maternity leave for her second child. In February 2024, she signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm, joining a formidable backcourt with Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike. Her return in the 2024 season was met with some initial adjustments, but she quickly reacclimated, earning the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. In 2024, she set a new franchise record for the Storm with 257 assists, ranking fourth in the league with 6.4 assists per game. She also achieved significant career milestones, moving into 15th place on the WNBA’s all-time assist list and becoming the 34th player in WNBA history to score at least 4,500 points.

Internationally, Diggins has represented Team USA with distinction. She earned gold medals with the USA U18 National Team (2008), U19 World Championship Team (2009), World University Games (2011), and the FIBA 3×3 World Championship (2012). A pinnacle of her international career was winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Other Ventures and Advocacy

Beyond the court, Skylar Diggins has made her mark in various fields. She became the first female athlete to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports agency in 2013 and has endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Puma. She has released her own fashion lines, including the “Puma Desert Sky” line in 2022, and was part of Skims’ underwear campaign in 2024. Diggins describes her personal style as “tomboy chic.”

She has also ventured into media, working at ESPN during a college summer internship and later serving as a commentator for WNBA playoffs and a guest host on “His & Hers.” She was a co-executive producer for “Little Ballers Indiana” and appeared on the TV show “Wild ‘n Out.” Her children’s book, “The Middle School Rules of Skylar Diggins,” was illustrated by her now ex-husband Daniel Smith.

Skylar Diggins is a vocal advocate for critical issues, including equal pay among WNBA and NBA players and combating childhood obesity through her “Shoot 4 The Sky” camps. Her activism was instrumental in introducing the 2020 WNBA collective bargaining agreement, which guaranteed full salaries, benefits, childcare stipends, and accommodations for players on maternity leave.

Skylar Diggins Personal Life & Family

Skylar Diggins was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, with strong family ties. Her parents are Tige Diggins and Renee Scott. Her mother, Renee, fostered her love for basketball and her grandmother, Stella, was also a significant supportive figure in her early years. Her stepfather, Maurice Scott, played a crucial role in her development as a basketball player and leader, coaching her youth team. She is the eldest of five siblings.

Skylar Diggins met Daniel Smith, a former Notre Dame football player, while both attended the University of Notre Dame. They started dating in 2014 and got engaged in June 2016. The couple married in April 2017 in a lavish ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Illinois. Following their marriage, Skylar adopted the surname Diggins-Smith, which she used professionally for several years.

Skylar and Daniel welcomed their first child, a son named Seven, in April 2019. Their daughter was born in 2023. Skylar has spoken about the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with a demanding professional basketball career, often playing through pregnancy and returning to the court after maternity leaves. She credits her husband for being a supportive and hands-on partner in raising their children.

However, in early 2025, Skylar Diggins filed for divorce from Daniel Smith after eight years of marriage, citing an “irretrievably broken” relationship. She subsequently announced that she would be going by “Skylar Diggins” professionally, dropping the “Smith” from her surname for the 2025 WNBA season. Despite the personal challenges, she has continued to thrive professionally.

Awards and Achievements of Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins has amassed a remarkable collection of awards and honors throughout her high school, college, and professional basketball career:

High School

• Gatorade National Player of the Year (2009)
• Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2009)
• Indiana Miss Basketball (2009)
• McDonald’s All-American (2009)
• Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2009)
• WBCA All-American (2009)
• Indiana State Champion (2007)

College (University of Notre Dame)

• 2x Nancy Lieberman Award (Nation’s Top Point Guard) (2012, 2013)
• 2x Big East Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
• 4x All-Big East selection (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
• 3x First-team All-Big East (2011, 2012, 2013)
• Big East All-Freshman Team (2010)
• Dawn Staley Award (2013)
• 3x AP All-American (Third Team 2011, First Team 2012, 2013)
• 3x WBCA All-American (2011-2013)
• 2x NCAA All-Final Four Team (2011, 2012)
• 3x NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player (2011, 2012, 2013)

Professional (WNBA & International)

• WNBA Most Improved Player (2014)
• 6x WNBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
• 4x All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2017, 2021, 2022)
• 2x All-WNBA Second Team (2018, 2020)
• WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013)
• Olympic Gold Medal (2020 Tokyo)
• FIBA 3×3 World Championship Gold Medal (2012)
• World University Games Gold Medal (2011)
• FIBA Americas U18 Championship Gold Medal (2008)
• FIBA U19 World Championship Gold Medal (2009)
• Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award (2018)
• AP Comeback Player of the Year (2024)
• ESPY for Best WNBA Player (2022)

Skylar Diggins Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Skylar Diggins’ net worth is estimated to be between $400,000 and $2 million by various sources. Her income is primarily derived from her WNBA salary, endorsement deals, and other business ventures.

Through her WNBA career, Skylar Diggins has earned a total of approximately $1,560,000. Her latest contract, a two-year deal signed with the Seattle Storm in 2024, is for $422,685 guaranteed. In 2024, her annual salary was $211,343, and for the 2025 season, her base salary is expected to be $214,466. This makes her one of the higher-earning players in the league.

Beyond her WNBA salary, Diggins significantly augments her income through endorsement partnerships. She made history as the first female athlete to sign with Roc Nation Sports in 2013, Jay-Z’s sports agency. She also has prominent endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike and Bodyarmor SuperDrink. These endorsements, coupled with her media appearances and fashion collaborations, contribute substantially to her overall net worth.

Legacy and Influence

Skylar Diggins’ legacy extends far beyond her impressive statistics and numerous accolades on the basketball court. She is recognized as a transformative figure in women’s basketball, not only for her electrifying play but also for her vocal advocacy and commitment to social change.

Her impact includes breaking barriers for women in sports, particularly concerning maternity rights. Diggins’ decision to play while pregnant and her subsequent maternity leaves brought crucial attention to the need for better protections for professional female athletes. Her activism played a significant role in the WNBA’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which enshrined full salaries, benefits, childcare stipends, and nursing accommodations for players on maternity leave.

Diggins is a powerful role model for aspiring athletes and women globally, demonstrating that it is possible to balance a demanding professional career with motherhood. She also advocates for equal pay between WNBA and NBA players, challenging existing disparities in professional sports.

Through initiatives like her “Shoot 4 The Sky” camps, she actively works to combat childhood obesity and inspire the next generation of basketball players, fostering academic achievement through “Skylar’s Scholars.” Her involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she herself was a member, highlights her commitment to community and youth development.

Publicly, Skylar Diggins has cultivated an image as a stylish icon, making headlines for her fashion choices and collaborations with brands like Puma and Skims. Her willingness to share personal challenges, such as her parents’ separation in her children’s book, also contributes to her relatable public image.

Interesting Facts about Skylar Diggins

• Skylar Diggins finished her high school career as the third-highest girls’ scorer in Indiana history with 2,790 points.
• She is the only Notre Dame basketball player (male or female) to achieve over 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 steals in her career.
• Diggins was the first female athlete to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports agency.
• She interned at ESPN during college and later served as a commentator and guest host for the network.
• Skylar Diggins co-executive produced a Nickelodeon documentary series titled “Little Ballers Indiana.”
• She published a children’s book called “The Middle School Rules of Skylar Diggins,” which touches on personal struggles like her parents’ separation.
• She played the entire 2018 WNBA season while pregnant with her first child.
• In 2022, she released a fashion line called “Puma Desert Sky.”
• She has been vocal about the need for equal pay in sports and improved maternity benefits for WNBA players.
• Her son’s name is Seven.

Controversies

While Skylar Diggins has generally maintained a positive public image, her career has seen some challenges and reported tensions. In 2022, during her tenure with the Phoenix Mercury, there were reports of team conflicts, which she later addressed by taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. Some media reports suggested a “rocky relationship” with the Mercury organization. These issues, however, did not deter her on-court performance, as she delivered one of her best seasons during this period.

More recently, in early 2025, Skylar Diggins filed for divorce from her husband, Daniel Smith, after eight years of marriage. She subsequently reverted to using “Skylar Diggins” professionally, dropping her husband’s surname. While personal, this event has been publicly reported due to her high-profile status.

Social Media Presence

Skylar Diggins maintains an active presence across popular social media platforms, engaging with her fans and sharing updates on her career and personal life. Her Instagram account, @skydigg4 (formerly @skylardigginssmith), boasts over 1 million followers. On this platform, she frequently posts career highlights, fashion choices, and glimpses into her life as a mother and athlete.

Her social media channels are also used to promote her advocacy efforts, such as initiatives against childhood obesity and her stance on equal pay in sports. Her influence extends to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, where clips and discussions about her career, style, and advocacy often circulate.

Final Words about Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins stands as an icon in women’s basketball, her career a testament to extraordinary talent, unwavering dedication, and powerful advocacy. As of 2025, she continues to be a formidable force in the WNBA, currently showcasing her skills as a point guard for the Seattle Storm. Her 2024 season, following a maternity leave, saw her earn the AP Comeback Player of the Year award, demonstrating her remarkable resilience and ability to return to elite performance.

Beyond the hardwood, Diggins has carved out a significant legacy as a champion for women’s rights in professional sports, influencing policy changes for maternity benefits and openly advocating for equal pay. Her ventures into fashion, media, and community outreach underscore her multifaceted impact and broad appeal.

Despite navigating personal transitions, including her recent divorce filing, Skylar Diggins remains a compelling and inspiring figure. She embodies the modern female athlete: a world-class competitor, a devoted mother, a fashion trendsetter, and a fierce advocate for social justice. Her future plans likely include continued dominance on the court with the Seattle Storm and expanding her influence as a voice for positive change, leaving an enduring mark on sports and society for generations to come.