It seems the WNBA offseason isn’t just for rest and recovery—it’s also prime time for sneak recruitment attempts. Case in point: Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins-Smith made a playful yet calculated pitch to Chicago Sky’s rising star Angel Reese during Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel. Let’s just say Diggins-Smith might be vying for an award in subtle persuasion.
The podcast episode, which aired Thursday, featured a lively conversation between Reese and the six-time WNBA All-Star. During the banter, Reese mentioned the Storm’s training facility, calling it “top-notch.” That’s all the ammo Diggins-Smith needed to strike.
“You can always come visit ours,” Diggins-Smith quipped, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I like the green. It’s a good start. We ain’t breaking no news.”
Reese, rocking a green head-warmer—ironically matching the Storm’s signature color—laughed off the comment but slyly admitted she’d already seen the facilities.
It wasn’t just about recruiting, though. Diggins-Smith took time to dive into her journey as a mother in the league. “We have moms. It’s me, it’s BG (Brittney Griner), Chelsea (Gray), Katie (Lou Samuelson), Alyssa (Thomas),” she said. She also praised the camaraderie among the WNBA’s supermoms.
“I like to see the kids interact with each other, running around, and then turn around and see us really putting in work,” she added, painting a picture that’s equal parts chaos and heartwarming.
Angel Reese’s Dominant Rookie Season: A Star in the Making
Diggins-Smith wasn’t all recruitment and laughs; she took a moment to gush over Reese’s rookie performance. Reese, who’s already making waves as one of the league’s best rebounders, ended her first season with an impressive 446 rebounds, a stat that cements her as a force on the court.
“She’s got that dog in her,” Diggins-Smith said with admiration, perhaps another subtle nudge to lure Reese to the Pacific Northwest.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Shares a Rookie Tale for the Ages
But the laughs didn’t stop there. The 12-year WNBA veteran shared a hilarious story about her own rookie season. Apparently, the league gave her a rude awakening courtesy of Washington Mystics guard Ivory Latta.
“The one that got me was Ivory Latta,” Diggins-Smith recalled, chuckling. “We were playing the Mystics in the opening game, and you know, you just be feeling yourself like, ‘S***, I’m out here too!’ And she cooked me. She just cooked me.”
For context, the game she referenced happened in 2013, during her second league appearance. Latta’s Mystics secured a dramatic 95-90 overtime win against Diggins-Smith’s then-team, the Tulsa Shock. While Diggins-Smith dished out a season-high 11 assists, Latta stole the show with 27 points, leaving her opponent with a lasting memory—and maybe a tiny bit of trauma.
What’s Next for Angel Reese?
For now, Angel Reese remains firmly with the Chicago Sky. But if this playful podcast moment is any indication, the Storm wouldn’t mind adding a little more firepower to their roster. Reese, for her part, seemed unfazed by Diggins-Smith’s antics, but fans are left wondering—could a storm be brewing in Chicago?
As Reese’s star continues to rise, one thing’s for sure: she’s already a hot commodity, both on and off the court. Whether she stays in Chicago or decides to take her talents elsewhere, the WNBA is undoubtedly better with Angel Reese lighting it up.
