Dallas Wings trade Skylar Diggins-Smith, acquire Astou Ndour in three-team exchange

Release from Dallas:

The Dallas Wings have signed and traded Skylar Diggins-Smith to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for the No. 5 and 7 picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft as well as Phoenix’s first round selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, the team announced today. The Wings then sent the 2021 first round pick the team acquired in the deal with Phoenix to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Astou Ndour.

Ndour, a 6-foot-5-inch center, averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 49.2 percent from the floor and 42.4 percent from the three-point line during the 2019 WNBA season. Ndour collected seven double-digit scoring games last season, dropping 18 points twice, and tallied three double-doubles. In 2019, she established career-high marks in rebounds (10), offensive rebounds (6), defensive rebounds (8), assists (3), steals (3), field goals made (7) and minutes played (35). Ndour averaged 25.4 minutes per game in the 2019 playoffs, registering 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals in a first-round victory over the Phoenix Mercury and logging 17 points, eight rebounds and a block in the Sky’s second-round loss to Las Vegas.

Currently playing for Dynamo Kursk, Ndour is averaging 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Internationally, Ndour is a member of the Spanish National Team, claiming a silver medal in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a bronze medal in the 2018 World Cup and a gold medal in EuroBasket 2019. Helping Spain go 6-0 in EuroBasket, Ndour was named to the all-tournament team and MVP after averaging 14.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.

“We are thrilled to add Astou to the Dallas Wings organization,” stated Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb. “Astou has great range that extends beyond the three-point line, she runs the floor well and is a fantastic rim protector. We are excited to have her join our roster.”

“We are excited about the addition of Astou,” said head coach Brian Agler. “I’ve watched her before her WNBA days and of course while coaching against her. She’s an extremely versatile player both offensively and defensively. Astou is also a very mobile stretch post player. She keeps improving because of her skill set and her work ethic.”

Diggins-Smith was selected third overall in the 2013 draft by the Tulsa Shock. The four-time All-Star appeared in 168 career games with the Shock and Wings while averaging 15.9 points and 4.9 assists per outing.

“We appreciate all that Skylar Diggins-Smith has done for our organization and our community,” Bibb stated. We wish her and her family well in Phoenix and with all of their future endeavors.”

The Wings now hold picks No. 2, 5, 7, 9, 15 and 21 in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

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