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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Meghan L. Hall

Skylar Diggins-Smith revealed the reason she moved on from the Mercury to sign with the Storm

It’s no secret that the relationship between Skylar Diggins-Smith and the Phoenix Mercury was icy before she signed with the Seattle Storm. Now, the veteran is revealing why she made the move. Two words: Jewell Loyd.

WNBA free agency has been fairly calm in recent days, but when signings began on February 1, there was a fury of moves. Those moves included a splash Skylar Diggins-Smith signing by the Seattle Storm that shook up league circles. Diggins had been in a very tense relationship with the Mercury for well over a year after being out on maternity leave, where she was allegedly cut off from using training facilities and forced to pay to use local gyms.

On Thursday, Diggins credited Mercury legend Bridget Pettis for helping her get back to playing form and reignite her belief that she could play again. She also revealed why she wanted to play for the Seattle Storm.

Diggins-Smith explained to the media that she left so that she could be reunited with her college teammate, Jewell Loyd. She also said it was her top priority to play with 12-year veteran Nneka Ogwumike, who left the Los Angeles Sparks to also play in Seattle. Throughout Monday’s presser, Skylar and Nneka spoke about the culture, winning ways, and facilities of Seattle being huge draws as well.

You can see the full introductory press conference with Skylar, Nneka, head coach Noelle Quinn and general manager Talisa Rhea below.

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