Skylar Diggins-Smith - The Beauty & The Beast

the beauty and the beast
Written By Kelaine Conochan

BASKETBALL - POINT GUARD - WNBA - PHOENIX MERCURY - TEAM USA

ARCHETYPE: THE BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Day 123/135

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Athletic Accomplishments

Skylar Diggins-Smith is the point guard for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

Diggins grew up in South Bend, Indiana, playing multiple sports, including softball, varsity volleyball, and her real claim to fame: basketball. As a point guard for her high school team, Diggins averaged over 20 points per game as a freshman. By her junior and senior years, she led the state with over 29 points per game. She won a state title in 2007 and was a three-time selection for All-State First-Team (2007-2009). In 2009, Diggins was Indiana’s Miss Basketball, and an All-American. She also received national honors, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year.

Diggins decided to attend Notre Dame for college, staying in her hometown and playing for legendary coach Muffet McGraw. As a freshman, she led the Irish in scoring, and stood out as one of the most promising and talented point guards. Her sophomore year, Diggins garnered national attention, particularly after dropping 28 points to help her team defeat a heavily favored No. 1 ranked UConn in the NCAA semifinal game.

As a junior and senior, Diggins continued to grow and improve, winning marquee awards and recognition. She was a two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner (given to the nation’s best point guard), a two-time First-Team All-American, and time-time Big East Player of the Year.

Diggins finished her career at Notre Dame as the all-time leading scorer (2,357 points), with records in points, steals, free throws, stats, minutes, games scoring double digits, and triple-doubles.

Diggins was selected No. 3 in the 2013 WNBA Draft, behind only Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne. Many believe the class of 2013 to be a class of unparalleled talent, with all three players becoming multi-year All-Stars.

Since turning pro, Diggins has been exactly who we thought she was, racking up All-Star nods and honors, including:

  • 4× WNBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)

  • 2× All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2017)

  • 2× All-WNBA Second Team (2018, 2020)

  • WNBA Most Improved Player (2014)

  • WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013)

In late June, Diggins received a bid to play for Team USA, and is headed to Tokyo for this summer’s Olympic Games.

Character Archetype: The Beauty & The Beast

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To be clear, I didn’t coin this archetype for Diggins. SHE gave it to herself.

It takes less than a second to recognize that Diggins is beautiful. But she is so much more than a pretty face. Quick aside here: My opinion is that it’s FINE to think athletes are beautiful, but (a) if you ONLY know the hot ones, you’re doing it wrong; and (b) my rule is that you better know 5 things about her game, not just that she’s pretty; and (c) be respectful. END RANT.

Anydamnway, Diggins can get a little chippy on the court and on Twitter. She’s got some attitude, some swagger, some spicy talk. But importantly: she knows that if you talk shit, you need to back it up. And her play always does.

I’m not just talking about her recent Twitter feud with NY Liberty’s Jazmine Jones… I’m talking about her absolutely eviscerating the Dallas Wings.

In 2019, Diggins sat out the season after giving birth to her son and dealing with postpartum depression. According to Diggins, the Wings were not very supportive of her, leading Diggins to air out some dirty laundry in a series of tweets:

Damn, Sky. That kind of strength is beautiful. But playing professional basketball while pregnant and becoming an All-Star? That’s real beast mode.

Damn, Sky. That strength and vulnerability. That duality. Beauty, beast, badass.

Kelaine Conochan
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