While Skylar Diggins stuns fans with clutch shots, her most meaningful victories may come off the court, as a devoted mother of two kids navigating the demands of elite sports and parenthood.
Skylar Diggins made a dagger jumper within 4.2 seconds remaining and snapped the Aces’ historic streak, forcing a Game 3.
The Seattle Storm was facing the Las Vegas Aces in Game 2 of the playoffs while staring down a 17-game freight train. Skylar Diggins’ clutch moment was iconic, reminding everyone that she still plays with ice in her veins, and the mother of two kids came to slay.
Skylar has her own little squad of cheerleaders, who have been the backbone of both her personal strength and professional fire. Rowen Seven Smith was born in June 2019, and her daughter, Ana Lia Irie, was born in January 2023.
The nickname Seven Rowen’s name has a biblical connotation, symbolizing wholeness, divine perfection, and new beginnings.
Like any proud mama, Skylar Diggins adores her kids, but she keeps their world low-key and rarely shares personal moments online. Now and then, they make special court-side appearances, and it stands as a reminder of the legacy she is building.
Skylar has shown that being a mom in the WNBA is possible, and her story resonates with working mothers everywhere. Even amidst her recent high-profile divorce from Daniel Smith, she has demonstrated resilience and managed to balance her life both on and off the court.
The couple was married for nearly eight years and is now co-parenting, with a shared focus on their children’s well-being.
Between practices and playdates, Skylar Diggins is rewriting what it means to be a pro athlete and a present parent. She is building a life where both her dreams can coexist, allowing each to flourish.
However, this balance didn’t come easily; Skylar faced both professional setbacks and emotional challenges on the journey. Those experiences became the foundation for her push to protect others through policy.
The Skylar Clause Gave Motherhood A Seat At The WNBA Table And Made It Count
After giving birth to her son Rowen, Skylar Diggins was struggling with post-partum depression amidst the emotional toll of being a first-time mom. She continued to battle her challenges in private while still playing an entire season for the Dallas Wings.
Later, she discussed the lack of support from her team and how they were reportedly considering trading her during her recovery.
Furthermore, the relationship between Skylar and her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, began to deteriorate after her second pregnancy in 2023. Even though she was eight months pregnant, her team refused her access to the practice facilities and even the parking lot.
WNBA Star Skylar Diggins says her team has banned her from using the practice facility & all team resources such as chefs, massages therapist, nutritionists, etc while on paternity leave for her 2nd child. “She still receives her full salary while on maternity leave” pic.twitter.com/oaOMoOOPXB
— Black Millionaires ® (@Blackmillions_) August 8, 2023
Skylar Diggins used that experience as an opportunity to advocate for paid maternity leave. Her efforts contributed to the creation of new WNBA policies, which now protect pregnant athletes from financial and professional repercussions.
Although the NBA doesn’t officially refer to it as the “Skylar Clause,” media outlets use the term to describe the policy she advocated for.
It is altering the treatment of athlete moms across the sports by providing better access to childcare and longer medical benefits. For Skylar Diggins, this movement is personal, as she dreams of her daughter having the chance to play in the WNBA someday.
Critics have always doubted the future of the WNBA; however, Skylar and many others have built a legacy that says otherwise. Thus, Skylar Diggins is determined to make a league for her daughter that will endure long enough to fulfill her dream.
Additional Information
- Skylar Diggins was part of the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team that won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- While in college, Skylar Diggins led Notre Dame to three consecutive Final Four appearances and two national championship games.
- Skylar was named the 2009 Gatorade National Player of the Year and Indiana Miss Basketball.
