Skylar Diggins-Smith Is Shooting for Change With Unrivaled Basketball
“Each of us has a stake in this league, which makes every decision, game and moment matter that much more.”
Skylar Diggins-Smith is synonymous with basketball in Indiana, USA. Growing up in a state where the sport is a way of life, Diggins-Smith picked up a ball as soon as she could walk. By the age of five, she was playing organized basketball and by age ten, she was traveling across the Midwest for competitive club tournaments. Her talent caught the attention of Notre Dame Fighting Irish (the intercollegiate women’s basketball program at the University of Notre Dame) which offered her a scholarship by eighth grade. While there, she helped lead the team to three Final Fours and two championship games, all while earning a degree in business management — can you top that?
It was clear from an early age that Diggins-Smith’s impact on the game was just the beginning. In 2013, she was drafted third overall in the WNBA by Oklahoma’s Tulsa Shock, which later became the Dallas Wings. After stints in Dallas, Phoenix and Seattle, the basketball star built a 12-season career in the league, becoming one of the most seasoned players in the WNBA. Her leadership, toughness and wisdom made her a go-to veteran and she’s embraced her role as a mentor to younger teammates.
Last August, the athlete announced she’d be joining the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. More than just a showcase for athletic talent, the league focuses on supporting players, especially through resources for balancing motherhood — a cause close to Diggins-Smith’s heart as a mother of two. With its emphasis on helping players thrive both on and off the court, Unrivaled offers a fresh, holistic approach to women’s professional sports.
We caught up with Diggins-Smith to dive into her journey from WNBA star to league pioneer, her passion for balancing motherhood with basketball and how Unrivaled is changing the game for women in sports. “We’re standing on the foundation built by those who came before us and now it’s about making the most of this moment to push the game even further. The momentum is there; we just have to keep building,” she proudly shares.
The Unrivaled League began on January 17 and will run until March 17.
Continue reading for the full interview.
On Unrivaled
I play with the founders of the league — Collier and Stewart and I’m so proud of them for bringing this idea to fruition. Everyone worked so hard to make this happen — strength conditioning coaches, the players, the team managers, the coaching staff and the volunteers. I don’t take any of it for granted. It’s been amazing to see the support system in place; you get to witness the incredible work ethic, the in-depth analysis of basketball and most importantly, work with the women who play a leading role in driving its progress.
Everybody relies on each other and it’s been really inspiring work. We are a community bound by the same passion and drive. It’s powerful to go head-to-head with these players in the WNBA — pushing each other to the limit and then uniting together as teammates. The competition never fades but there’s a deep respect that turns rivals into allies — greatness grows through both challenge and unity. We’re all investors, building something bigger than ourselves. Each of us has a stake in this league, which makes every decision, game and moment matter that much more.
On Ownership Opportunities With Unrivaled
Ownership is an opportunity we haven’t had before. This is something we don’t get in the WNBA, so it’s unique in that sense. We want it to last for years to come and it would be incredible if one day my daughter could play here, too. We’re pioneering something new and while growth might not be instant or smooth, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. Our focus is on playing great basketball, improving ourselves as athletes and putting on a show that fans will love.
My passion for the game is as strong as ever and having more opportunities to play year-round will only elevate the competition in the WNBA this summer.
On the Growth of Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball is at its peak right now — it’s not just about the game, it’s a major part of pop culture. From music and fashion to slang and trends, basketball weaves itself into everyday life, showing up in social references, TV shows and movies. That wasn’t always the case. I remember feeling boxed in, but now the world sees us as more than athletes. You can see it in the marketing, high-fashion collaborations and the way social media changed the game. A decade ago, nobody was waiting in the tunnel to snap pictures, but that doesn’t mean the style wasn’t there. The difference now is that people are paying attention.
On Her Relationship With Basketball and Self Confidence
After playing basketball for so long, the biggest challenge is staying inspired. Coming back after maternity leave, I struggled with confidence, both in myself and my game. I have two young children, so balancing motherhood, my identity as an athlete and feeling comfortable in my own body was a challenge, both mentally and physically.
I’ve been through injuries in the past but this is slightly different. Going through something unfamiliar changes you, especially when it affects your mental health. Postpartum depression made my return even harder, but I was lucky to have a strong support system to help me through it. Motherhood gave me a new kind of motivation — one that pushed me even when my confidence was at a low. I wanted my kids to see me play and witness the struggle and resilience firsthand because these things are important. Having children while still in the league was important to me, not just for my career but to show them what perseverance looks like.
Not to play the tiny violins but I feel like an overcomer now and I’m happy they get to be here and experience me in this light, as well as walking around and seeing all the legends. It’s gratifying to be here, be in shape and feel ready to go for another season, which will be my 13th season this year and I’m very proud of that.
On the Future of Women’s Basketball
I said we’re at our peak, but honestly, we’re growing exponentially and we’ll be beyond that soon — that’s how I feel about our game. I want to continue to see the investment in women’s sports and women’s basketball rather than it being just a trendy thing. It’s not about being here for a short time but about creating something that lasts.
Having a league like Unrivaled, where you get this kind of opportunity, is insanely cool. Everybody sharpens iron, you’re playing against greatness every night and that takes the product of our game even higher. We’ll see that difference when we go into the WNBA and hopefully, we can keep raising the bar while seeing the investment, coverage, storytelling, diversity and more.
