history of success: The outstanding accomplishments of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Liatu King demonstrate how Notre Dame women’s basketball’s history of success endures in the professional levels.

The legacy of Notre Dame women’s basketball isn’t just etched in the banners hanging in Purcell Pavilion or the national championship trophies in the display case. It lives on, vividly and powerfully, through the sustained success of its alumnae at the professional level. The outstanding accomplishments of Skylar Diggins-Smith and the burgeoning professional career of Liatu King serve as compelling testaments to how Notre Dame’s rigorous development, competitive culture, and emphasis on both on-court skill and off-court character continue to produce WNBA-ready talent.

Skylar Diggins-Smith’s journey is a quintessential example of Notre Dame’s impact. A local South Bend product who chose to stay home, she became a transcendent figure for the Fighting Irish, leading them to three Final Fours and two national championship appearances during her collegiate career (2009-2013).¹ She departed as Notre Dame’s all-time leader in points and steals, second in assists, and a two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner as the nation’s top point guard.² Her collegiate resume alone solidified her as a Notre Dame legend.

However, her professional career has elevated her status to WNBA icon. Drafted 3rd overall by the Tulsa Shock in 2013, Diggins-Smith quickly adapted to the pro game, earning WNBA All-Rookie Team honors.³ Her ascent was swift and decisive:

• Six-time WNBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022): This consistent recognition over a decade speaks volumes about her sustained elite performance.⁴
• Four-time All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2017, 2021, 2022): Being recognized as one of the top five players in the league four times in her career is a rare feat, placing her among the sport’s all-time greats.⁵
• WNBA Most Improved Player (2014): This award, early in her career, showcased her dedication to continuous growth and refinement of her game.⁶
• WNBA Comeback Player of the Year (2024): After missing the 2023 season due to maternity leave following the birth of her second child, Diggins-Smith returned in 2024 with the Seattle Storm and proved she was still an elite force.⁷ She averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 assists (4th in the WNBA), 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, leading all WNBA guards in blocks with a career-high 36. This remarkable return showcased her resilience, dedication, and enduring skill.
• Olympic Gold Medalist (2020 Tokyo): Her inclusion on the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team further cemented her status as one of the world’s premier guards.⁸

Diggins-Smith’s success isn’t just about individual accolades. She’s been a driving force for every team she’s played on, demonstrating exceptional leadership, a high basketball IQ, and a relentless competitive spirit – qualities that were undoubtedly honed during her time at Notre Dame under legendary coach Muffet McGraw and now-head coach Niele Ivey, who was an assistant during Diggins-Smith’s playing days. Her ability to thrive through various team environments, injuries, and even maternity leave, speaks to a foundation built on mental toughness and fundamental excellence that Notre Dame instills.

While Skylar Diggins-Smith represents the pinnacle of sustained WNBA success, Liatu King embodies the more recent continuation of Notre Dame’s pipeline to the professional ranks. King’s path to the WNBA is unique in that she was a graduate transfer to Notre Dame, spending only her final collegiate season (2024-2025) with the Fighting Irish after four years at Pitt.⁹ Yet, in that single year, she left an indelible mark and proved that Notre Dame’s system can rapidly prepare players for the next level.

King had a phenomenal season for the Irish, averaging a double-double with 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. She immediately became a dominant force on the boards, setting Notre Dame’s single-season record for rebounds per game. Her relentless motor, physicality, and defensive versatility made her an invaluable asset to Coach Niele Ivey’s team. Her strong performance in ACC play and the NCAA Tournament showcased her ability to compete against top-tier talent.

This impressive single season at Notre Dame propelled King into the 2025 WNBA Draft, where she was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in the third round (28th overall).¹⁰ While making a WNBA roster as a third-round pick is challenging due to the league’s limited roster spots, King immediately demonstrated her potential. She signed a hardship contract with the Sparks due to numerous injuries on the team, showcasing her immediate value as emergency depth. Though she was later waived, the fact that she earned a spot on a WNBA roster, even temporarily, underscores the impact of her Notre Dame experience. Her opportunity to train and play alongside WNBA veterans, even for a short period, is invaluable for her continued development. King’s journey is a testament to how Notre Dame can accelerate a player’s professional readiness, even in a short timeframe, by putting them in a competitive environment with elite coaching and strong teammates.

The success of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Liatu King is not isolated. It’s part of a broader pattern that highlights Notre Dame women’s basketball’s consistent ability to churn out WNBA talent. Under Muffet McGraw and now Niele Ivey (a former WNBA player herself and a key developer of talent during her assistant coaching tenure), the program has a proven track record:

• High Draft Picks: Notre Dame has produced numerous high WNBA draft picks, including several No. 1 overall selections like Jewell Loyd (2015) and Jackie Young (2019).¹¹ Sonia Citron was also a lottery pick (3rd overall) in the 2025 WNBA Draft.¹²
• Consistent WNBA Presence: On any given WNBA opening day roster, you will find a significant contingent of former Fighting Irish players. For instance, in 2025, 12 former Notre Dame players made WNBA opening day rosters, demonstrating the sheer volume of talent the program develops.¹³
• WNBA Champions: Notre Dame alums have played pivotal roles on WNBA championship teams, including Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young with the Las Vegas Aces.¹⁴
• All-WNBA and All-Star Honors: Beyond Diggins-Smith, players like Jewell Loyd, Jackie Young, and Kayla McBride have consistently earned All-Star and All-WNBA recognition, showcasing the depth of elite talent from the program.

The reasons for this enduring success are multifaceted:

• Elite Coaching: Both Muffet McGraw and Niele Ivey are exceptional coaches who prioritize fundamental skill development, basketball IQ, and strategic understanding. They prepare players not just for college success, but for the demands of the professional game.
• Championship Culture: Notre Dame consistently competes for national championships, exposing players to high-pressure situations and the intensity required to succeed at the highest levels. This mental fortitude is invaluable in the WNBA.
• Player Development: The program excels at taking talented recruits and developing them into complete players. They refine offensive skills, emphasize defensive tenacity, and foster all-around versatility.
• Physical Preparation: The strength and conditioning programs prepare athletes for the rigorous physicality of professional basketball.

In essence, Notre Dame women’s basketball doesn’t just recruit talented players; it transforms them into professional-ready athletes and individuals. The sustained excellence of Skylar Diggins-Smith and the immediate professional opportunity for Liatu King are prime examples of a system that works, demonstrating unequivocally that the history of success at Notre Dame endures and thrives in the professional ranks of the WNBA.