Overview
- Diggins posted on Instagram on Monday that she was being moved to the bench and confirmed the change to reporters the same day, saying she was blindsided and had “been putting my body on the line.”
- Head coach Tyler Marsh called the change a “coach’s decision” and declined to explain who will replace her in the starting five or whether the move is temporary.
- Analysts and multiple outlets point to Courtney Vandersloot’s return from an ACL and a crowded veteran backcourt as a key reason for the rotation change, and also note a dip in Diggins’ scoring efficiency this season.
- Diggins has publicly criticized the team’s leadership and the lack of expected resources, and she singled out delays to the Sky’s promised Bedford Park practice facility as a factor affecting player preparation.
- The Sky sit near the bottom of the standings at roughly 6-14, and observers say the demotion raises the possibility of roster moves before the August trade deadline though no trade or personnel change has been announced.