It’s no secret that the relationship between Skylar Diggins-Smith and the Phoenix Mercury was icy before she signed with the Seattle Storm. Now, the veteran is revealing why she made the move. Two words: Jewell Loyd.
WNBA free agency has been fairly calm in recent days, but when signings began on February 1, there was a fury of moves. Those moves included a splash Skylar Diggins-Smith signing by the Seattle Storm that shook up league circles. Diggins had been in a very tense relationship with the Mercury for well over a year after being out on maternity leave, where she was allegedly cut off from using training facilities and forced to pay to use local gyms.
On Thursday, Diggins credited Mercury legend Bridget Pettis for helping her get back to playing form and reignite her belief that she could play again. She also revealed why she wanted to play for the Seattle Storm.
Skylar Diggins-Smith on why she chose Seattle:
"I wanna play with Jewell."
Says that she only wanted to play with Jewell Loyd and Nneka. Seattle was also the only visit she took and she later says she wants to be around winners.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) February 19, 2024
"I want to play with Jewell" 🥰✊
– @SkyDigg4 main reason why she chose to play for @seattlestorm pic.twitter.com/dsFyiHHD6s— WomenHooping (@WomenHooping) February 19, 2024
Diggins-Smith explained to the media that she left so that she could be reunited with her college teammate, Jewell Loyd. She also said it was her top priority to play with 12-year veteran Nneka Ogwumike, who left the Los Angeles Sparks to also play in Seattle. Throughout Monday’s presser, Skylar and Nneka spoke about the culture, winning ways, and facilities of Seattle being huge draws as well.
You can see the full introductory press conference with Skylar, Nneka, head coach Noelle Quinn and general manager Talisa Rhea below.