Career Timeline of Skylar Diggins-Smith: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Skylar Diggins-Smith built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Skylar Diggins-Smith is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player currently with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. Drafted third overall in 2013 by the Tulsa Shock, she established herself as a dominant force. Her impressive high school career earned her both National Gatorade Player of the Year and Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year awards. Diggins-Smith starred at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to three consecutive Final Fours and two NCAA championship appearances. She concluded her collegiate career as the program's all-time leading scorer and steals leader, also earning two Nancy Lieberman Awards as the nation's best point guard.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: NCAA Division I Player

Since 1999-2000, Diggins-Smith became one of only six NCAA Division I players to compile 2,000 points/500 rebounds/500 assists/300 steals in her career.

2000: NCAA Division I Player

Since 1999-2000, Diggins-Smith became one of only six NCAA Division I players to compile 2,000 points/500 rebounds/500 assists/300 steals in her career.

2001: Notre Dame National Title

In 2001, ten years before Diggins-Smith rose to national prominence, Notre Dame captured the national title.

2001: NCAA Division I Player

In her junior season, Diggins-Smith became the fourth NCAA Division I player since 2001 to register 600 points, 200 assists, and 100 steals in a single season.

2007: State Championship

In 2007, Skylar Diggins-Smith led Washington High School to a state championship title.

2008: FIBA U18 Americas Championship Gold Medal

In 2008, Skylar Diggins-Smith was a member of the USA Women's U18 National Team and won a gold medal at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship. She averaged 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

November 15, 2009: Collegiate Debut

On November 15, 2009, Skylar Diggins-Smith made her collegiate debut for Notre Dame, scoring 14 points in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

2009: Gold Medal at the USA U19 World Championship

In 2009, Skylar Diggins-Smith played on the USA U19 World Championship Team and won a gold medal in Bangkok, Thailand. She averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

2010: Freshman Records

In 2010, during her freshman year, Diggins-Smith set four Notre Dame freshman records for points scored and assists.

2011: Gold Medal at the World University Games

In 2011, Skylar Diggins-Smith played for USA Basketball at the World University Games held in Shenzhen, China, where the team won a gold medal. She led the team in points, assists and steals in the game against Great Britain. Overall, she scored 74 points, 29 assists, and 20 steals during the tournament.

2013: Signs with Roc Nation Sports and Nike

In 2013, Skylar Diggins-Smith became the first female athlete to sign with Roc Nation Sports. Also in 2013, she signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

2013: WNBA Draft and All-Rookie Team

In 2013, Skylar Diggins-Smith was drafted 3rd overall by the Tulsa Shock and was named to the All-Rookie Team.

2013: Drafted into WNBA

In 2013, Skylar Diggins-Smith was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA draft.

September 2014: Didn't Make World Championship Team

In September 2014, Skylar Diggins-Smith learned she did not make the World Championship team after meeting with U.S. women's national team director Carol Callan and coach Geno Auriemma. She had averaged 5.0 points per game in three USA National Team exhibition games.

2014: Signs Endorsement Deal with Bodyarmor SuperDrink

In 2014, Diggins-Smith signed an endorsement deal with Bodyarmor SuperDrink.

2014: WNBA All-Star and Most Improved Player

In 2014, Skylar Diggins-Smith was named a WNBA All-Star and voted as a starter, later winning the WNBA Most Improved Player Award.

May 21, 2016: Return from Injury

On May 21, 2016, Skylar Diggins-Smith returned to the court after recovering from a torn ACL injury. By this time the Tulsa Shock had relocated to Dallas, Texas with the franchise being renamed the Dallas Wings. Diggins-Smith had also signed a multi-year contract extension with the Wings.

2017: All-Star Game

In 2017, Diggins-Smith was voted into the WNBA All-Star Game and helped the Dallas Wings reach the playoffs.

June 8, 2018: Career-High Points

On June 8, 2018, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored a new career-high of 35 points along with 12 rebounds in a victory over the Indiana Fever.

January 2020: Departure from Dallas Wings

In January 2020, Skylar Diggins-Smith announced that she would not return and play for the Dallas Wings.

February 2020: Trade to Phoenix Mercury

In February 2020, Skylar Diggins-Smith was acquired by the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal.

July 25, 2020: Return to WNBA

On July 25, 2020, Skylar Diggins-Smith made her return, scoring 14 points in a loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

September 9, 2020: Season-High Points

On September 9, 2020, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored a season-high 33 points in a win against the Connecticut Sun.

2020: Gold Medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Team USA won the gold medal at the Olympics, defeating Japan 90–75 in the final.

2020: Guest Broadcast Team Member for the Phoenix Suns

Starting with the 2020-21 NBA season, Skylar Diggins Smith has been a guest broadcast team member for the Phoenix Suns.

June 21, 2021: Named to Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics

On June 21, 2021, Skylar Diggins-Smith was named to the 12-player roster for Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

February 1, 2024: Signed with Seattle Storm

On February 1, 2024, Diggins-Smith signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm.

August 29, 2024: Joins Unrivaled League

On August 29, 2024, it was announced that Diggins-Smith would appear and play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league.