> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Seattle Storm Roster Roundup: Is Skylar Diggins-Smith Still Among WNBA’s Top Guards?
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-storm-roster-roundup-is-skylar-diggins-smith-still-among-wnbas-top-guards/
- Published: 2025-04-09T23:59:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:20:47.000Z
- Author: Connor Benintendi
- Tags: Storm, Skylar Diggins-Smith

The Seattle Storm are nearing the WNBA Draft on April 14 and will begin their preseason soon after on May 4\. It will be head coach Noelle Quinn’s fifth season leading the franchise and the first without franchise legend Jewell Loyd, ushering in a new era of Storm basketball.

As the 2025 season approaches, we will [profile each of the 14 players currently on Seattle’s roster](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-will-ezi-magbegor-enter-elite-company), exploring the best- and worst-case scenarios for each player while also examining realistic expectations. Then we will discuss the team’s draft selections and what they could add to the team.

Still playing at a high level more than a decade into her career, Storm point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith will try to carry her momentum from offseason play in Unrivaled into 2025\. Can she add another strong season to her elite resume?

### **Background**

Diggins-Smith (5-foot-9) helped Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana to a 102-7 record during her four-year prep career and a state championship in 2007\. She was the 2009 Gatorade National Player of the Year in addition to being named a McDonald’s All-American. Diggins-Smith committed to Notre Dame as part of the 2009 recruiting class.

It didn’t take long for Diggins-Smith to burst onto the college basketball scene. In her first-ever NCAA tournament game, Diggins-Smith logged 31 points, six assists and seven steals in a win over Vermont — the most points by a Notre Dame player in a tournament debut. During her four-year career with the Fighting Irish, Diggins-Smith earned two Big East Player of the Year awards, two AP First Team All-American nods and a Dawn Staley Award (best guard in college basketball). She averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3 steals per game as a senior.

Diggins-Smith was selected third overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings), immediately stepping into a significant role. She [started 21 of 32 games and was on the court over 26 minutes per game](https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/d/diggisk01w.html?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com), earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. The very next season Diggins-Smith posted a career-high 20.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 steals. That was enough to pick up a First Team All-WNBA and All-Star selection in just her second campaign.

Missing the entire 2019 season after having her first child, Diggins-Smith was dealt to the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal ahead of the 2020 season. She spent three seasons with the Mercury, finishing top 10 in MVP voting in all three seasons.

Diggins-Smith, now 34, also sat out the 2023 season following the birth of her second child and she signed a two-year deal with the Storm on Feb. 1, 2024\. In her first season with Seattle, the 10-year veteran averaged 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals. This WNBA offseason, Diggins-Smith played in the first-ever season of [the Unrivaled professional basketball league](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/home/storm-star-skylar-diggins-smith-playing-at-elite-level-entering-11th-season), with her Lunar Owls losing in the semifinals.

If Diggins-Smith retired today, she would be [30th in league history](https://stats.wnba.com/alltime-leaders/?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) in points (4,822) and 11th in assists (1,510). 

### **Best Case Scenario**

Even entering her 11th WNBA season, Diggins-Smith is arguably playing the best basketball of her career. She started all 40 games for Seattle in 2024 and showed she still has the durability to play offseason basketball. Another excellent season for Diggins-Smith should be expected.

Last season snapped Diggins-Smith’s two straight campaigns of concurrent All-Star and First-Team All-WNBA selections. Her bouncing back to earn each of those honors would be one of the best possible seasons she could have this late in her career, and she’ll have an expanded role with Jewell Loyd gone. That opens an even larger door for her to step up offensively. Regardless, her facilitation from the point guard spot will fuel the Storm.

### **Worst Case Scenario**

There’s a lot to like about what Diggins-Smith is still doing more than a decade into her career. But it’s worth wondering when the decline will arrive, and it could be in 2024\. The Storm would suffer mightily from Diggins-Smith not playing at a high level — potentially enough to miss the playoffs. That’s especially true when we don’t know who Seattle plans to select with the No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft.

While it’s unlikely, the worst-case scenario would be Diggins-Smith posting career lows in multiple statistical categories, failing to help the Storm reach the postseason.

### **What to Expect in 2025**

All indicators point to a season much more closely resembling the best-case scenario. Diggins-Smith averaged 17.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals during the Unrivaled season (14 games). She was a major reason the team reached the league semifinals, and that was against much of the WNBA’s top talent.

It’s a very different type of basketball (3-on-3 being the main difference) but still illustrates the critical point: Diggins-Smith isn’t declining and doesn’t appear to be anytime soon. She provides a leadership aspect that will also be critical for this year’s team with Loyd no longer on the roster. Expect her to continue in that role this season while being an elite full-time starter.

#### **Previous Roster Roundups:** [**Ezi Magbegor**](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-will-ezi-magbegor-enter-elite-company) **|** [**Lexie Brown**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-will-lexie-brown-lock-down-starting-guard-spot?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Alysha Clark**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-can-alysha-clark-still-contribute-in-13th-wnba-season?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Erica Wheeler**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-will-erica-wheeler-bounce-back-in-2025?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Li Yueru**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-is-li-yueru-a-breakout-candidate?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Katie Lou Samuelson**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-what-will-katie-lou-samuelsons-role-be?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Zia Cooke**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-can-former-top-10-pick-zia-cooke-find-a-role?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Brianna Fraser**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-will-brianna-fraser-stick-in-seattle?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) **|** [**Mackenzie Holmes**](https://sunfish-smilodon-3p8h.squarespace.com/home/storm-roster-roundup-can-mackenzie-holmes-earn-first-wnba-action?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)