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Tag: Skylar Diggins

  • Skylar Diggins Is The WNBA’s Most Improved Player

    She was once a basketball player for Washington High School, then she moved on to Notre Dame. Now she has been declared the WNBA’s most improved player. The WNBA has officially acknowledged that Skylar Diggins, guard for the Tulsa Shocks, has come a long way.

    The Chicago Tribune described her as struggling on a “weak team”. They pointed out that her scoring average more than doubled this season: 8.5 to 20.1. Her team this season did not improve as much as she did. Last year the Shocks were 11-23. This year they were 12-22. Both times they were in last place for the West, missing the playoffs in the process.

    According to the South Bend Tribune, Diggins was number three in the overall draft pick of 2013. The panel described as “national and local sportswriters and broacasters”, voted to name her the WNBA’s most improved player, 29 out of 38.

    Diggins caught some publicity back in February by posing for the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Swimsuit Issue. “I didn’t really know how I was going to approach modeling swimsuits,” she said, “I had never modeled in a swimsuit before. As the shoot went along, I got more and more comfortable. That really helped me get some great shots.”

    Even though her professional career is just beginning, the player has received so much recognition for her contributions to the sport. Her alma matter, Notre Dame, even has a plaque in her honor placed in the woman’s basketball section of Heritage Hall.

  • Skylar Diggins Flaunts Bikini For Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

    Skylar Diggins isn’t on the basketball court these days, but she’s definitely putting in work. The Tulsa Shock guard recently had the esteemed honor of posing for the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Swimsuit Issue.

    According to E! News, the Notre Dame alum’s beach spread took place in the British Virgin Islands. Diggins shed her basketball jersey for a blue and white Tory Burch bikini.

    The WNBA third overall draft pick was featured in the edition along with NWSL star Alex Morgan, professional surfer Anastasia Ashley, and a number of other female models, including John Legend’s wife, model Chrissy Tiegen. While the prestigious opportunity may not seem like a big deal for most, Diggins expressed to Sports Illustrated that she was quite surprised when the publication asked.

    In a short video on the site, the 23-year-old hoop star shared her sentiments on the opportunity. She also revealed that she had first-time jitters about modeling swimsuits.

    “I didn’t really know how I was going to approach modeling swimsuits,” Diggins said in a video on SportsIllustrated.com. “I had never modeled in a swimsuit before. As the shoot went along, I got more and more comfortable. That really helped me get some great shots.”

    “I loved the pictures. I think this was a great change of pace for me, speaking as an athlete, now, to show my femininity. I think that every woman is beautiful in her own way. It’s great to be a part of this magazine that celebrates not only models, but athletes as well, and puts it into perspective that all women are beautiful.”

    Diggins’ step-father Maurice Scott also weighed in explaining that she’d discussed the opportunity with her family before committing to the Sports Illustrated deal. “We are supportive of Skylar,” Scott said. “I said, the only thing is, Mom is going to have to go on the set and make sure the swimsuits she puts on have some taste, and make sure it wasn’t anything too bad for Dad’s sake.”

    The South Bend, IN native took to Twitter to share her elation about the swimsuit issue with fans. She also tweeted some of the pictures from the shoot to her 444K followers. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports, which is also Diggins’ sports management company, tweeted pictures from the shoot as well.

    Diggins also shared pictures via Instagram. She included one picture that captured her full beach spread. She caption for the picture simply said, “Surreal.”


    The Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Swimsuit Issue hit newsstands Tuesday, Feb. 18.

    Image via Skylar Diggins, Facebook

  • Skylar Diggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony Goes Awry At High School Alma Mater

    What was initially supposed to be a night of commemoration for WNBA star Skylar Diggins quickly turned into a night of brawling!

    According to Prep Rally, on Saturday, Dec. 28, the Tulsa Shock guard actually ventured back to her hometown of South Bend, IN to attend a game at her alma-mater, Washington High School.

    Diggins was to be honored at the game, as the school prepared to retire her high school basketball jersey.

    The third overall draft pick was actually just a spectator at the game against Oregon-Davis High School. However, the game took a wild turn when Oregon-Davi player Leni Minix shoved an opponent after the whistle was blown.

    The Washington High School player responded with a forceful hit that sent Minix straight to the floor, as coaches and spectators rushed the court.

    A number of fans insisted that Diggins fueled the fight, as tempers continued to flair. Then, Minix’s cousin, Kelsey Minix took to Twitter and began firing off at Diggins.

    In her tweets, she accused Diggins of mouthing off at the Oregon-Davis players. She also felt that referees were officiating calls in Washington’s favor, simply because Diggins was being honored at the game. However, her tweets were deleted soon after.

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    While Diggins didn’t entertain the tweets, she did post one reply. Although her statement was short, it spoke volumes. Diggins actually admitted that she defended her family members, and has no intentions of apologizing.

    The incident obviously had no negative effects on Diggins’ blow-out success this season. Diggins is currently signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports, and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team for her laudable first professional basketball season.

    Diggins has also been involved in a number of charitable projects around the Tulsa, OK area. One of her most notable efforts was her visit to McLain High School in Tulsa where she personally delivered 14 pairs of brand new sneakers to the girls basketball team.

    Image via Twitter | Skylar Diggins  DeadSpin Blog

  • Skylar Diggins Honored By WNBA and Notre Dame

    It’s been a whirlwind five months for stunning, professional basketball player, Skylar Diggins. As a highly sought-after prospect for the WNBA, Diggins was selected as the third overall draft pick by the Tulsa Shock. Following the draft, she graduated from the prestigious Notre Dome, after a praiseworthy four-year run on and off the court. She also inked a sports management deal with the Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports. Then, on September 15th, she wrapped up the last game of her rookie season with the Shock. Now, she’s embarking on another level of amazing feats.

    The Tulsa Shock guard received the prestigious honor of being named to the WNBA All-Rookie team, according to Tulsa World. Humbled by the esteemed honor, Diggins took to Twitter in an effort to express her gratitude and appreciation for the league, her team and the fans collectively.

    She even went a step further to express her love for her fans and the city of Tulsa. In a surprise visit this week, Diggins stopped by McLain High School in Tulsa OK. She delivered 14 new pairs of custom basketball shoes to the school’s girls basketball team. Tulsa World reported that not even the coach was aware that she’d be dropping in, so the visit came as a welcomed ambush to everyone. Diggins shared a picture of the girls basketball team on Twitter.

    The Shock basketball team also congratulated the rising star rookie on her success this season.

    In light of the WNBA honors, Diggins also received another prestigious honor from none other than her collegiate alma-mater, Notre Dame. As the only player in Notre Dame history to be selected as a four-time All-American, there’s no doubt why Diggins is permanently etched in university’s history books. For that commendable attainment, the university honored Diggins with a plaque that has been hung in the woman’s basketball section of Heritage Hall.

    It’s been a laudable week for Tulsa’s emerging rookie, and from the looks of it, this is only the beginning.

    Image via ESPN