Skylar Diggins-Smith Showed Her Power on the Beaches of Guana Island During Her SI Swim Debut

2014 was a big year for the WNBA player, who headed to the British Virgin Islands for her first brand feature.
Skylar Diggins-Smith

Skylar Diggins-Smith was photographed by Adam Franzino in Guana Island.


In 2013, Skylar Diggins-Smith impressive collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame came to an end. She left Indiana with several accolades to her name and every intention of continuing her high level of play. That spring, she was selected by the Tulsa Shock (now the Dallas Wings) in the first round of the WNBA draft. 

But it wasn’t until the 2014 season that she really began to shine. That was a big year for the athlete, who was named to the WNBA All-Star team for the first time in her career—something she has achieved on five occasions since. But an impressive sophomore season wasn’t the only thing that the now 33-year-old had going for her in 2014.

That year, she also made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut. The point guard headed to the beaches of Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands to pose for a series of powerful photos taken by photographer Adam Franzino. 

It was notable for several reasons. Of course, it made her an official—and forever—member of the SI Swim family. But it also proved that her extensive skills extended beyond both the basketball court and the classroom. She had some real talent in front of the camera, and she made sure to put it on display.

She was just about 23 years old then and at the very start of her career. Now, she’s over ten years in and is married with two kids. Things have certainly changed for the athlete—and continue to do so, as evidenced by her recent move to the Seattle Storm—but a couple things remain the same. One, she is still just as much of a force (if not more) on the basketball court. Two, her SI Swim photos are just as stunning as ever.

Here are a few of our favorites from the trip.

Skylar Diggins-Smith
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Skylar Diggins-Smith

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.