Seattle Storm’s point guard Skylar Diggins referred to this moment as the Full Sale moment, a sentiment equally shared by Las Vegas star point guard Jackie Young. Diggins led South Bend Washington to the IHSAA Class 3A State Championship as a sophomore in 2007, finishing her high school career as one of the state’s top scorers with 2,790 points and earning the title of Indystar Miss Basketball in 2009.
Jackie Young, an alumnus of Princeton Community and the 2016 Indystar Miss Basketball, holds the all-time state scoring record with 3,268 points. She led the Tigers to an impressive 53 consecutive wins and the 2015 Class 3A state championship. These two Indiana basketball legends have come back to their hometowns as 2025 WNBA All-Stars, highlighting Indiana’s deep basketball culture, where basketball is more than just a game.
Young expressed her pride in being an Indiana All-Star, sharing how meaningful it was to experience the event surrounded by friends and family. Diggins added that Indianapolis feels like the perfect place to host such an event, especially with her children present to witness it, making this year’s event even more special for her seven-time WNBA All-Star career.
The return to Indiana is marked by prominent displays of Diggins and other WNBA All-Stars around town, symbolizing the state’s rich basketball heritage that she deeply appreciates. Diggins reflected on Indiana’s unique basketball culture, where the sport is ingrained from an early age and deeply cherished.
Jackie Young stayed connected to her small-town roots by visiting Princeton, where she hosted a youth basketball camp at the newly opened Princeton YMCA and was honored with murals celebrating her basketball journey from Princeton High to Notre Dame and now the WNBA. Young acknowledged the importance of providing opportunities for young athletes today that weren’t available when she was growing up.
In addition, Young recently announced a new partnership with Skechers, emphasizing the importance of working with brands that allow her to remain genuine. As part of the collaboration, she donated shoes to local middle and high school basketball teams, with plans to include the boys’ teams as well. Young highlighted the significance of giving back to her community and being a positive role model for younger generations.
Fan Take: This story highlights the powerful hometown roots and community impact of WNBA stars, showcasing how they inspire the next generation of players. For WNBA fans, seeing these athletes honor their origins while paving the way for future talent underscores the league’s growing influence and the deep cultural connection basketball holds in places like Indiana.
