What Happened to Skylar Diggins-Smith?
Skylar Diggins-Smith is a highly decorated American professional basketball player, currently a guard for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. After a standout collegiate career at Notre Dame and successful stints with the Tulsa Shock/Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm, she joined the Sky in April 2026 on a two-year deal. Off the court, she has recently navigated a divorce, publicly embracing her maiden name, Diggins, while continuing to be a prominent figure in women's basketball and a mother of two.
Quick Answer
As of June 2026, Skylar Diggins-Smith is playing for the Chicago Sky, having signed a two-year contract with the team in April 2026 after two seasons with the Seattle Storm. She is actively participating in the 2026 WNBA season, showcasing her veteran leadership and scoring ability. In her personal life, she filed for divorce in March 2025 and has since publicly embraced her maiden name, Diggins, while co-parenting her two children.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in South Bend, Indiana
Skylar Kierra Diggins was born in South Bend, Indiana.
National Gatorade Player of the Year
Diggins received national honors as the National Gatorade Player of the Year and Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year.
Drafted by Tulsa Shock, WNBA All-Rookie Team
Skylar Diggins was drafted 3rd overall by the Tulsa Shock and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
WNBA Most Improved Player & All-WNBA First Team
She earned the WNBA Most Improved Player award and her first All-WNBA First Team selection, also making her first All-Star appearance.
Married Daniel Smith
Skylar Diggins married Daniel Smith, a relationship that began during their college years at Notre Dame.
Gave birth to first child, sat out season
She welcomed her son, Rowen, and sat out the 2019 WNBA season due to maternity leave.
Signed with Phoenix Mercury
Diggins-Smith announced she would not return to the Dallas Wings and signed with the Phoenix Mercury.
Won Olympic Gold with Team USA
She was part of the 12-player roster for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics (held in 2021), helping the squad win gold.
Gave birth to second child, sat out season
She welcomed her daughter and sat out the entire 2023 WNBA season for maternity leave.
Signed two-year deal with Seattle Storm
After her maternity leave, Diggins-Smith signed a two-year free-agent deal with the Seattle Storm.
Named AP Comeback Player of the Year
Following her return to the WNBA, she was named the AP 2024 Comeback Player of the Year for her performance with the Seattle Storm.
Filed for divorce and embraced maiden name
Skylar Diggins-Smith filed for divorce from Daniel Smith, citing irreconcilable differences, and has since publicly embraced her maiden name, Diggins.
Signed two-year deal with Chicago Sky
As a free agent, Diggins-Smith officially joined the Chicago Sky on a two-year deal, marking a return to the Midwest.
Scored 24 points in Sky win
Skylar Diggins scored 24 points, including 18 in the first half, to lead the Chicago Sky to an 85-80 victory over the Connecticut Sun, ending a five-game losing streak.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Skylar Diggins-Smith's journey in professional basketball began in 2013 when she was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock, following an illustrious collegiate career at Notre Dame where she became the only player (male or female) to record over 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 steals. She quickly established herself as a force in the WNBA, earning the Most Improved Player award and her first All-WNBA First Team selection in 2014. The franchise later relocated and became the Dallas Wings, where she continued to be a cornerstone player until 2019.
A significant turning point came in January 2020 when Diggins-Smith signed with the Phoenix Mercury, a move that revitalized her career and saw her consistently perform at an elite level, earning multiple All-Star selections and contributing to the team's success. During this period, she also achieved an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games (held in 2021), solidifying her status as an international star. Her career has also been marked by personal milestones, including marrying Daniel Smith in May 2017 and welcoming two children, a son in 2019 and a daughter in 2023. She took maternity leave in 2019 and again in 2023, demonstrating her commitment to both her family and her professional career.
After sitting out the 2023 season due to the birth of her second child, Diggins-Smith made a strong return to the WNBA, signing a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm in February 2024. Her 2024 season with the Storm was highly successful, earning her the AP Comeback Player of the Year award after averaging 15.1 points and 6.4 assists per game. However, her time in Seattle was also accompanied by significant personal changes. In March 2025, she filed for divorce from Daniel Smith, citing irreconcilable differences, and has since publicly embraced her maiden name, Diggins.
The most recent development in her career occurred in April 2026 when, as a free agent, Skylar Diggins-Smith signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Sky. This move brought her closer to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana, a factor reportedly influencing her decision. The Sky's general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, expressed excitement about her joining, highlighting her elite passing and two-way play. As of June 10, 2026, Diggins-Smith is an active and integral part of the Chicago Sky's 2026 WNBA season, recently scoring 24 points in a win against the Connecticut Sun on June 5, 2026. She continues to be a veteran leader and a key offensive force for her new team, navigating both her professional commitments and personal life changes.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Skylar Diggins-Smith made different choices?