WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins-Smith has captivated public attention this week, not for her on-court prowess but for a raw and personal revelation about her life off the basketball court. The Seattle Storm guard opened up about the immense challenges of navigating a divorce and a custody battle while raising her two young children, painting a picture of resilience and solitary strength.
The Emotional Social Media Revelation
Diggins chose Instagram as her platform to share a heartfelt message, shedding light on what she described as over a year of managing life almost entirely alone. She emphatically wrote, “Been doing everything BY MYSLF (sic) for over a year now. Just me and my babies (and the help of my mom/dad.) THAT’S IT!” This candid post moved beyond legal filings to highlight the daily reality of her situation.
In a follow-up note, the athlete detailed her relentless routine, stating she has been “Working, paying the bills, being a present mother and battling through a lot of unknowns...”, concluding with the defiant declaration, “God's strongest soldier 2025.” Her statements underscore the dual pressure of maintaining a top-tier professional sports career while shouldering the enormous responsibility of single parenthood during a tumultuous personal period.
Timeline of the Split and Daniel Smith's Response
Diggins and her husband, Daniel Smith, originally met at Notre Dame and tied the knot in April 2017. The couple shares two children. Reports confirmed earlier this year that Diggins filed for divorce in March 2025, with the separation reportedly beginning in November 2024. She had previously hinted at the marital change during a press conference where she asked media to refer to her without Smith's last name.
Smith addressed the ongoing situation from his perspective, particularly concerning the custody dispute. He stated on social media that he has “been litigating, ordering and asking for custody since April 2025” and expressed his distress, saying, “Separation from my babies has never been okay with me.” He added a note about his physical presence, writing, “Luckily, I’m a big guy and I’ll be able to hold my babies for a long time.” The legal process remains active with no clear resolution timeline in sight.
Professional Excellence Amid Personal Turmoil
Remarkably, despite the significant personal strain, Skylar Diggins' performance for the Seattle Storm this season has remained formidable. She has posted strong statistics, averaging an impressive 15.5 points and six assists per game. This demonstrates her exceptional ability to compartmentalize and excel in her profession while dealing with private hardships.
The basketball star is leaning heavily on her family's support to manage her full professional schedule. The widespread response to her Instagram post shows an outpouring of support from fans and the sports community, who have rallied behind her openness about the struggle. As the court proceedings continue privately, Diggins' primary focus remains steadfastly on her children and her career, embodying the strength she proclaimed herself to possess.
