Skylar Diggins balances being single mom & WNBA superstar

CHICAGO – Skylar Diggins launches a new podcast this week entitled “And Mom” that focuses on motherhood and ambition.

In the her short time with the Sky, the seven-time All-Star and mother of two has shared many stories about her children, how things have changed for women in the WNBA with their new CBA, and whether or not her kids played factor in coming to Chicago.

“Uh. Yeah. They’re the number one factor in everything I do. Absolutely. Being a single mother, just making sure I put myself in position to provide for my children, taking care of my body so those things can happen, and obviously, building my village – who that is, starting with my mother and our nanny. Shout out to our nanny. It takes a village. As I become more experienced as a mother, I learn things. It’s great having them. They come to every road trip.

“They’re my two broke little best friends. We’re attached at the hip 24-7. I love them being able to be a part of it – being around women like this and seeing this in real time and including them in my process.”

At the Sky’s Media Day, Diggins was asked how much motherhood has changed for players in the WNBA and women’s sports in general now compared to when she was pregnant with her first child.

“When I was pregnant the first time, the CBA for ‘W’ didn’t look any different from the NBA as far as child-bearing people. A lot of people before that – even experiences with friends and people that I’ve known in the ‘W’ who’ve had children – if you got pregnant during that time, they really didn’t say anything. You got half your money. There were no parameters on maternity leave or even options for family planning like we have now.

“It’s amazing to see the evolution still being one of only three players to come back from multiple pregnancies in this league.

“It’s amazing to go through this journey. Motherhood is tough. After my daughter, I had to reconsider if I wanted to still play or not.

“When you play in leagues like Unrivaled, you have a family room – one started by mothers, Stewie and Napheesa. You have all the resources and it makes the W[NBA] follow suit. I didn’t have a family room to put my son in. I didn’t have a place to pump my milk. I pumped right in the locker room. Ask Azura [Stevens]. We were in Dallas. Pumped right in the locker room and put my milk right in the Gatorades. I didn’t have anywhere else to put it. Things have changed a lot.

“Obviously, I’m most excited about the opportunity for my daughter, whose a threenager right now. Just the hopes of her one day being about to play in this league and to sustain it for her. That was always the goal of mine from Day 1. It’s great for it to come full circle and see what it is right now.

“It’s great for my kids to see me play. I don’t have to be like, ‘Back in my day, baby…’ They can see mama in real time, right now. God willing, hopefully, I’ll be able to play a few more strong years where they can see that and be around these amazing women and amazing people to look up to. It’s been tough, but the most gratifying thing ever to have them a part of my ‘W’ journey.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.

Tags: