Diamond DeShields Biography: Diamond Danae-Aziza DeShields, born March 5, 1995, is an American professional basketball player currently a free agent. She was selected by the Chicago Sky as the third overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and won a championship with the Sky in 2021. She is the daughter of former MLB player Delino DeShields and the younger sister of MLB player Delino DeShields Jr.
Diamond DeShields Biography
“Being a WNBA player is one of the toughest jobs in America to GET and even harder to KEEP,” DeShields stated in 2019, a sentiment that now stings after she was unexpectedly waived by the Connecticut Sun. As a championship winner, her departure leaves many wondering about the front office’s decision-making. Having been in the league since 2018, DeShields has had her fair share of success both on and off the court. She topped several all-time lists for the Chicago Sky, including games played, scoring, assists, steals, and field goals made. Beyond her performance, she built her wealth through her WNBA earnings and sponsorship deals. Let’s take a closer look at how much she’s earned throughout her career.
Diamond DeShields Biography 2025 Details
| Born | March 5, 1995 (age 30) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 172 lb (78 kg) |
| High school | Norcross (Norcross, Georgia) |
| College | · North Carolina (2013–2014)
· Tennessee (2015–2017) |
| WNBA draft | 2018: 1st round, 3rd overall pick |
| Drafted by | Chicago Sky |
| Playing career | 2017–present |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Diamond DeShields
Diamond Danae-Aziza DeShields is an American professional basketball player that is currently a free agent. She was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the third overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, and won a championship with the Sky in 2021.
Diamond DeShields Wiki
- Born: 5 March 1995 (age 30 years), West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
- Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013–2014), Norcross High School, University of Tennessee
- Dates joined: 2018 (Chicago Sky), 2014 (Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball), 2009 (Norcross Girls Basketball Team)
- Siblings: Denim DeShields, Delaney DeShields, Delino DeShields Jr., D’Angelo DeShields
- Height: 85 m
- Position: Shooting guard, Guard
- Parents: Delino DeShields, Tisha DeShields
College Career
DeShields graduated from Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia, where she helped her basketball team win three state championships and averaged 26 points per game during her senior year. She then enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played as a guard for the Tar Heels women’s basketball team in her freshman year. She set an Atlantic Coast Conference record by scoring 648 points as a freshman. After her first year, DeShields transferred to the University of Tennessee, sitting out the following season due to transfer rules. During the 2016-17 season, she led the Tennessee Lady Volunteers with an average of 17.4 points per game and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team.
Personal Life
Diamond DeShields’ father, Delino DeShields, and her brother, Delino DeShields Jr., both had careers in Major League Baseball. Her mother, Tisha, was recognized as an All-American heptathlete during her time at Tennessee. In addition, DeShields has a paternal half-brother and two paternal half-sisters.
Diamond DeShields’ Contract Breakdown
DeShields signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Sky in 2024 worth $100,000, and later agreed to a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun in February 2025 for $115,000. Though she was expected to bring championship experience, leadership, and versatility, her time with the Sun was cut short. she had signed a 4-year, $232,178 rookie contract, which had a base salary of $58,045. She later secured a two-year contract worth $304,500 with the Sky, bringing her an average salary of $152,250 for 2022-2023. However, her situation has taken a downturn since then.
Why Was Diamond DeShields Waived?
DeShields was waived by the Sun due to injury concerns. She missed most of training camp due to an ankle injury and wasn’t active during the Sun’s two preseason games. It’s possible the injury was serious, leading the Sun to make the difficult decision to release her. As one of only five players on the roster with more than three years of experience, her departure leaves a gap in the team’s leadership and depth. With a roster limit of 12, the team may have decided to cut their losses, especially if her recovery took longer than expected.
Diamond DeShields’ College and Professional Career
DeShields hails from Norcross, Georgia, where she led her high school team to three state championships. She went on to play for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she set an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 648 points. After one year, she transferred to the University of Tennessee, where she led the Lady Volunteers with 17.4 points per game during the 2016-17 season.
DeShields then played professionally in Turkey before being drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018. She had an impressive rookie season, averaging 14.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. In her second season, she improved to 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Diamond DeShields’ net worth 2025
Diamond DeShields’ net worth is difficult to determine precisely, as it’s not publicly available. However, based on her WNBA contract and other earnings, it can be estimated. In 2025, DeShields earned $115,000 from the Connecticut Sun according to Spotrac.com. Her net worth would likely be higher than that due to her previous WNBA contracts, endorsements, and other income streams.
FAQs
What led to Diamond DeShields being waived by the Connecticut Sun in 2025?
Diamond DeShields was waived by the Connecticut Sun in 2025 due to injury concerns. She was sidelined for most of training camp with an ankle injury and did not participate in the Sun’s two preseason games. The team likely made the decision to waive her due to uncertainty about her recovery and the need to manage their roster effectively.
How much is Diamond DeShields’ current net worth?
While Diamond DeShields’ exact net worth is unknown, it was estimated to be $1.6 million as of 2022. Given her growing popularity and endorsement deals, it’s likely that her net worth has increased since then.
What sponsorships and partnerships has Diamond DeShields been involved with?
In 2024, Diamond DeShields partnered with ALDO, a shoe retailer, to launch her own collection. She has also been featured in a series by Notre, a curated boutique in Chicago. These ventures, along with other potential endorsement deals, have contributed to her financial success outside of her WNBA earnings.
Why did Diamond DeShields transfer from the University of North Carolina to the University of Tennessee?
After a successful freshman season at UNC, where she set an Atlantic Coast Conference record for points, Diamond DeShields transferred to the University of Tennessee. She had always dreamed of playing there, partly due to her mother’s legacy as an All-America athlete for the Tennessee women’s track team.
What was Diamond DeShields’ performance like in her rookie WNBA season?
In her rookie season with the Chicago Sky, Diamond DeShields made an immediate impact, averaging 14.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Her strong performance earned her a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie team, marking the beginning of her successful professional career.
How has Diamond DeShields’ injury history affected her career?
Diamond DeShields has faced several injuries throughout her career, including a back injury sustained during her time playing in Turkey, which led to surgery. She has also dealt with ankle injuries and inconsistent playing time, which has affected her performance and ability to maintain a steady role with her teams. These setbacks have created challenges in her career trajectory.