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The sky is the limit for Skylar Diggins.
Diggins, a Notre Dame basketball guard recruit, and quarterback Garrett Gilbert, headed to Texas in the fall, were honored as national high school athletes of the year.
Diggins, a senior at Washington High in South Bend, led the Panthers to a 26-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament last season. She compiled a 3.92 GPA and graduated summa cum laude.
Gilbert, a senior at Lake Travis High in Austin, Texas, led his team to a 16-0 record and the Class 4A Division I state championship last season. He had a 3.78 GPA.
Diggins joins Maya Moore, Tina Charles and Candace Parker as girls basketball winners.
According to the Associated Press story, Diggins was handed her trophy by softball Olympian Jessica Mendoza and pro beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor in Los Angeles.
"Mom, this is for you," Diggins said, pointing her silver trophy in her mother’s direction.
Diggins led Washington High to a 102-7 record and four consecutive state final appearances during her career, including the championship in 2007.
"Luckily for my family, my parents are right down the road," she said. "We’ve started lifting, conditioning and playing a little pickup ball. We’re going to look to be a powerhouse."
Diggins’ goal is a career in the WNBA.
"I would like to play basketball as long as possible, but I also would like to be an orthopedic surgeon," she said.
Gilbert and Diggins join previous winners LeBron James, Allyson Felix, Dwight Howard, Candace Parker, Greg Oden, Maya Moore and Kevin Love, all of whom went on to successful pro careers.
They were among 12 finalists for the awards that recognize athletic achievements, academic excellence and character.
Each year, sponsor Gatorade picks national players in various sports. Those winners vie for the two national awards, chosen by a panel of sports media.
