WNBA star Skylar Diggins reportedly separates from husband of 8 Years

Six-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins is best known for abilities on the court, and consummate professionalism off of it. In the latest news regarding the women’s basketball icon, Diggins has filed for divorce from her husband Daniel Smith, ac cording to a People report on May 1.

At a press conference on April 29, ahead of the upcoming WNBA season, Diggins told reporters to refer to her by her maiden name. She said:

“I no longer want Smith included when referencing my name.”

Any trepidation about the news of the couple’s split was seemingly laid to rest upon the Seattle Storm guard’s request.

Skylar Diggins & Daniel Smith’s Breakup Examined

Skylar Diggins and Daniel Smith officially tied the knot in Chicago in April 2017. Smith, once a football player for Notre Dame University, pivoted to the art world after a career-ending injury ended his chance of pursuing sports at the highest level. He went on to establish Doperman Studios in Dallas as Diggins was cementing herself as a superstar in the WNBA. The couple have two children together, Rowen Seven and Ana Lia Irie.

Interestingly, it has been reported by several outlets that the Diggins actually filed for divorce from Daniel Smith on March 26. The court documents obtained from the hearing cited the marriage as “irretrievably broken.” The couple is also said to have been officially separated since Nov. 1, 2024. Skylar filed for dissolution of marriage in King County Superior Court in Washington. The couple does not have a prenuptial agreement, and the extent of spousal support is to be determined.

For her part, Diggins has also been a strong promoter of the significance of women’s sports and the importance of highlighting deserving female athletes the same way the media does with men. This is something she feels responsible to do on behalf of her daughters as well as all aspiring female athletes, whose stories are seldom heard.

“I have the thought that one day I want my daughter to have the opportunity to play in this league and [I’m] just doing my part to make sure that’s a possibility,” Diggins shared in a 2020 interview with People.

She continued:

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“We have a lot of great players who have a lot of great stories. A lot of people didn’t think that the WNBA would last 20 years, but we’re still here and we’re still standing. [I want] to encourage and motivate young girls or anybody to pay attention to the league.”

Diggins will hopefully remain positive and continue her work to expand the scope for women’s basketball and women’s sports as a whole, alongside her teammates and supporters.

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