Skylar Diggins: The South Bend Kid, The Notre Dame Legend

Jan 26, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Skylar Diggins (4) reacts after a three point basket in the first half against the Providence Friars at the Purcell Pavilion. Diggins went over the 2000 point mark in the first half of the game. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

It all started in high school when she was named a McDonalds All-American, Miss Basketball for the state of Indiana, and the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009. She is the third all-time leading scorer in women’s high school basketball in Indiana. Was a 3 time All-American in high school and her recruitment came down to Stanford and Notre Dame. Believe it or not Skylar Diggins was actually born in South Bend, Indiana and the hometown kid picked her hometown team, Notre Dame.

Muffet McGraw commented on Diggins after the loss to UConn,

"I think she’s a champion. I know we didn’t win it, but what she has done for us has been amazing. She leaves Notre Dame as the most celebrated, decorated, and best player ever, and I’m happy for that."

Three straight Final Fours is what Skylar Diggins led her team to. They never won it all, but in most people’s eyes she will be forever remember as one of the greatest women to play college basketball. It isn’t a story book ending, but the great  Coach Geno Auriemma told Skylar after the game “He told me not to let this game define my legacy and said I have done more for the sport than some people who have won four national championships.” Diggins engraved herself into the record books at Notre Dame, she became the only woman in Notre Dame history to reach 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. She was named the Big East Player of the Year for the second time (other 2012) and a three time AP All-American. Notre Dame won 130 games during Skylar’s career at the University. 2,357 is the amount of points she scored in her career for the Irish, which happens to be the most in Notre Dame history. The next step for Diggins is the WNBA and she will is a top 3 prospect with Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne. These three women are going to have immediate impact to whatever team that drafts them. The WNBA draft is April 15, 2013 at 8 p.m. on ESPN 2.