Diamond DeShields is a well-known American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
In 2018, Chicago Sky drafted Diamond DeShields with the third overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. Back in 2021, she won the championship with the Sky.
DeShields is the daughter of former MLB player Delino DeShields and the younger sister of MLB player Delino DeShields Jr. DeShields was named a WNBA All-Star in her sophomore season in 2019.
DeShield won the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend, defeating Jonquel Jones in the final round. DeShields appeared in all 34 games and scored an average of 16.2 points per game.
DeShield scored 25 points in her first career postseason game on September 11, 2019, as the Chicago Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 105–76.
On January 17, 2020, Diamond DeShields underwent surgery at the University of Chicago. It was just a week after an MRI revealed she had a grape-sized tumor in her spinal cord.
The three-hour surgery to remove the lumbar spinal schwannoma turned into a nine-hour procedure. According to Dr. Edwin Ramos, the neurologist, one of the possible complications was paralysis as they were operating around the nerve inside the spine.
Dr. Ramos removed the schwannoma, however, the nerves were severely damaged. It left DeShields with tremors and involuntary spasms throughout her body.
21 months after her back surgery, DeShields helped lead Chicago to the WNBA championship on Oct. 17, 2021. As the Sky celebrated and DeShields lifted the championship trophy, she reflected on everything she had overcome.
WNBA player Diamond DeShields is in good health condition in the present time. She is making a comeback as she is expected to play Wednesday at Seattle in the 2022 WNBA season.
She missed the season-opening Friday, and Phoenix fell 106-88 at home as she was traveling back to the United States from playing overseas.
The Mercury were unaware of the tumor, the recovery, and everything DeShields had been through when they first reached out in the offseason. DeShields stated that she and her agent discussed everything. Phoenix was still interested in her.
The athlete stated that she is healthy now and has a lot of expectations moving forward.
Diamond DeShields was continuously working out and training outdoors in parks near her home though she had a tumor growing in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeShields said she still couldn’t run in a straight line or jump by April 2020. Her mobility and endurance were slow to return, and the tremors returned as soon as her muscles tired.
DeShields insisted on working out every day, and her physical abilities improved over time. She finally went through the surgery and has recovered well ever since.