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  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/04/15/skylar-diggins-wanted-to-be-closer-to-home-but-shes-not-just-coasting-into-retirement",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-16T00:03:51.062Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>To be a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky</a> fan right now is to be bursting with questions. Ones like: What is Skylar Diggins doing in Chicago?</p><p>It surprised many to see the seven-time All-Star choose a team that has won less than 30% of its games over the last two seasons, and an organization not exactly known for flawless execution since its 2021 championship.</p><p>So how did she end up here?</p><p>As the new collective-bargaining agreement reshaped the league this offseason, Diggins took a moment to reflect.</p><p>She thought about where she was in her career — 35 years old, two kids, entering her 12th season — and decided she wanted a change. She's played on the West Coast her whole career, but she grew up in South Bend, 90 miles outside of Chicago.</p><p>She wanted to be closer to home.</p><p>And Chicago successfully sold her on its vision: a win-now roster that was tougher, more athletic, more competitive than last year.</p><p>For head coach Tyler Marsh, Diggins' arrival is proof the organization is moving in the right direction.</p><p>\"Skylar has been around this league a long time to know the fake from the real,\" Marsh said. \"And there's a reason she wanted to be here. Being close to home helps, but you also gotta be able to trust the people you're going to compete with. There's some discernment there that she's able to recognize.\"</p><p>The Sky did execute well in free agency, landing <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/14/azura-stevens-returns-to-chicago-where-the-fit-and-the-money-made-sense\" >stretch big Azurá Stevens</a> and two-way wing DiJonai Carrington, and adding young talent in Rickea Jackson and Jacy Sheldon.</p><p>But executing the \"win-now\" part won't be easy. Most of the league's top teams retained their cores. And even with all the added talent, Diggins is still the Sky's only All-Star.</p><p>Which means the Sky better hope she didn't come back to the Midwest just to decompress before retiring.</p><p>Lucky for them, she shot down the idea before anyone thought to raise it.</p><p>\"I'm not just coming here saying this is the end or whatever for me,\" she said at her introductory news conference. \"I don't think it'll be a diminishing return. I'm committed to the work. … I want to get better. That's been my mantra since I was a kid — 'get better.' That's the mindset I have here for this organization, for myself, and that's the standard I hold myself to.\"</p><p>Even for players with the highest standards, some decline in their game is inevitable. Over the last two years, Diggins' scoring average has settled around 15, down from the 17-20 range of her prime. But pair that with six assists and you're still looking at one of the best point guards in the league.</p><p>So, Sky fans: is this great-player-comes-home-at-the-tail-end-of-her-career storyline giving anyone a Candace Parker flashback? Will this homecoming end in a championship, too?</p><p>One can hope. But there are a few big differences between then and now. As good as Diggins is, she's not quite Parker. And Parker came home to a roster that had been together for years. Diggins is walking into a complete overhaul.</p><p>She'll need a little magic to bring them together ahead of schedule.</p><p></p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-010001\" name=\"list-010001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> Latest on the Sky and WNBA </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Azurá Stevens returns to Chicago, where the fit — and the money — made sense\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/14/azura-stevens-returns-to-chicago-where-the-fit-and-the-money-made-sense\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d247e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4283x2867+18+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fae%2F2f%2F0a5083644578a200d63b2f9ca3b4%2Fap25142766843776.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/29dc6e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4283x2867+18+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fae%2F2f%2F0a5083644578a200d63b2f9ca3b4%2Fap25142766843776.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens during a game against the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco on Friday, May 16, 2025. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/29dc6e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4283x2867+18+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fae%2F2f%2F0a5083644578a200d63b2f9ca3b4%2Fap25142766843776.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/14/azura-stevens-returns-to-chicago-where-the-fit-and-the-money-made-sense\" >Azurá Stevens returns to Chicago, where the fit — and the money — made sense</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Stevens was one of the Sky’s biggest free-agency wins. Fit, opportunity and a multi-million-dollar deal all helped seal it.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776185557000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"541\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Sky take Gabriela Jaquez with No. 5 pick in WNBA Draft\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/13/sky-draft-gabriela-jaquez-with-no-5-pick\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b55d678/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8163x5464+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1c%2F21%2F3ff0361246d29169fe6f9a065f8e%2Fap26103854596077.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1d49ac/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8163x5464+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1c%2F21%2F3ff0361246d29169fe6f9a065f8e%2Fap26103854596077.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected fifth overall by the Sky in the first round of the WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13, 2026, in New York. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1d49ac/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8163x5464+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1c%2F21%2F3ff0361246d29169fe6f9a065f8e%2Fap26103854596077.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/13/sky-draft-gabriela-jaquez-with-no-5-pick\" >Sky take Gabriela Jaquez with No. 5 pick in WNBA Draft</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">After assembling a playoff-caliber roster in free agency, the Sky now add a do-everything wing from UCLA’s loaded championship roster.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776123763000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"559\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Sky sign Aicha Coulibaly to rookie contract\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/13/sky-sign-aicha-coulibaly-to-rookie-contract\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a356fbf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3297x2207+269+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fbd%2Ff058a5164d2a8517b011f1cfe1c4%2Faicha-coulibaly.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f6c4f1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3297x2207+269+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fbd%2Ff058a5164d2a8517b011f1cfe1c4%2Faicha-coulibaly.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Texas A&M guard Aicha Coulibaly examines the court during a game against Kansas State on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in College Station, Texas. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f6c4f1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3297x2207+269+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fbd%2Ff058a5164d2a8517b011f1cfe1c4%2Faicha-coulibaly.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/13/sky-sign-aicha-coulibaly-to-rookie-contract\" >Sky sign Aicha Coulibaly to rookie contract</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Coulibaly was the team’s No. 22 pick (late second round) in the 2025 draft, but was recovering from an ACL injury at Texas A&M and never reported to training camp.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776105336000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"163\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Sky's Skylar Diggins wanted to be closer to home, but she’s not just coasting into retirement",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-16T00:17:41.506Z"
}