LAS VEGAS — Sky guard Diamond DeShields’ preseason prophecy came true this weekend.
At Sky media days in May, DeShields said not only that she wanted to be an All-Star but she knew she was good enough.
Fast forward to Friday at Mandalay Bay Enter Center in Las Vegas, DeShields sat courtside wearing a black practice jersey that had “LV AS” emblazoned across her chest and shorts that had “All-Star” written down the right thigh.
“It’s just a credit to my hard work,” said DeShields, who was voted by WNBA coaches to be one of the 12 reserves. “I put in a lot of hard work, a lot of man hours to be here.”
Unlike some of the other first-time All-Stars, DeShields said the moment doesn’t seem surreal to her.
“I belong here,” said DeShields, whom the Sky picked third overall in 2018. “I feel like I worked for it, I feel like I earned it, I’m just happy to be here.”
Despite this being only her second season in the WNBA, DeShields carries herself like she’s been around for some time. Her confidence is unmatched. That was evident in a recent press conference in which she called herself one of the most athletic basketball players in the world.
“When you work hard and you know what you’re capable of, you can’t help but be confident,” DeShields explained.
DeShields’ self-assurance is important for the Sky, who is currently ranked fifth in the WNBA. Even on her down days, she picks up her teammates.
This season hasn’t gone as perfectly as DeShields’ might’ve imaged. Though she’s averaging 15.2 point, an uptick from 2018, her efficiency is down as she’s shooting only 38 percent from the field.
Still, DeShields brings that burst of energy when the Sky need it.
“I like to walk around that way because I know that it bleeds over to my teammates,” she said. “And them seeing me being the way that I am makes them feel better.”
