The Basics
Position: Guard/Forward
Current Team: New York Liberty | #2
Draft: 2021 | Baylor | 2nd round (17th overall) | Fashion
Key Accolades: All-Rookie Team (2021)
The Pet
The Down Low
Watching DiDi on the court you'll immediately notice her signature hairstyle and seemingly relentless energy. She is an absolute menace on defense: a tall guard who will get her hands in the passing lanes and absolutely will not take a possession off. As her mom described her energy, "If you're not a morning person, you probably don't want to wake up around DiDi."
You may know about her miraculous comeback from a spinal cord injury she suffered before her senior season at Baylor. Again, her mom talked about her positivity during this process: "When we were sitting in the hospital, she said, 'Mom, after I overcome this injury, I'm signing up for a tap-dance class.'"
In fact, when she came back from injury, she led her team to the Elite Eight and is now in the WNBA, where she seems to be fitting in already. She is joined in the WNBA by Baylor bestie DiJonai Carrington.
Highlight Photo
Off the court, DiDi is known for her fashion, including this iconic look, and she aspires to be a model.
Notable Quotables
I think my biggest purpose is to show other girls — Blacks and Latinos — that it’s not different for us to be who we are. It’s not crazy for us to act the way we are, which is girly while being tough and being as competitive as we are. My biggest thing is just to show that I am you. My message is you can be on TV, too or you can be doing this, as well.
I’m just trying to give little Black girls something to reach for and dream for so that basically they can see themselves one day.
[Source]
Know Your Meme
DiDi's reaction to this move by Sami Whitcomb was a delight:
More on DiDi
- WNBA star DiDi Richards’ message extends beyond bball (Terrance Harris, Defender Network)
- Q&A with WNBA player DiDi Richards: ‘Hopefully I’m here to stay (Terrance Harris, Defender Network)
- A Puffs Piece: Nets Republic Talks to DiDi Richards (Myles Ehrlich, Nets Republic)