Skylar Diggins-Smith, a seasoned WNBA player and six-time All-Star, has inked a deal with the Seattle Storm after taking a hiatus last season due to maternity leave.
The 33-year-old guard expressed her excitement about joining the Storm, highlighting the organization’s commitment to player development and the league’s growth. Teaming up with former teammate Jewell Loyd, who boasts two championships with the Storm, Diggins-Smith is eager to make an impact on the court.
Diggins-Smith was drafted third overall in 2013 by the Tulsa Shock and later played for the Dallas Wings after the franchise relocated. Ahead of the 2020 season, she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury, where she spent three seasons and reached the 2021 WNBA Finals.
During her time away from the game, Diggins-Smith hinted at a strained relationship with the Mercury, making her move to Seattle unsurprising. Throughout her WNBA career, she has demonstrated impressive stats, averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
A product of South Bend, Indiana, Diggins-Smith enjoyed success at Notre Dame, reaching the Final Four three times. Her connection with Loyd dates back to their college days, and they continued their partnership on the U.S. Olympic team that clinched gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Coach Noelle Quinn expressed her enthusiasm for coaching Diggins-Smith, praising her as one of the premier point guards in WNBA history. Recognized for her competitiveness, playmaking ability, and defensive prowess, Diggins-Smith’s addition to the Storm’s backcourt is expected to bolster the team’s performance in the upcoming season.
