50 Facts About Napheesa Collier

Early Life and Background

Napheesa Collier's journey to basketball stardom began long before she stepped onto a professional court. Her early life and background are filled with interesting tidbits that shaped her into the athlete she is today.

1. Born on September 23, 1996, in O'Fallon, Missouri, Napheesa Collier grew up in a sports-loving family.
2. Her father, Gamal Collier, played college basketball, which inspired her to pursue the sport.
3. Napheesa's mother, Sarah, was a standout volleyball player in high school.
4. She attended Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, where she became a high school basketball star.
5. During her senior year, she averaged 26.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
6. Napheesa was named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year twice in high school.
7. She led her high school team to three state championships.
8. Collier was a McDonald's All-American in 2015, a prestigious honor for high school basketball players.

College Career

Napheesa Collier's college career at the University of Connecticut (UConn) was nothing short of spectacular. She left an indelible mark on the program and the NCAA.

9. Collier played for the UConn Huskies from 2015 to 2019.
10. She won a national championship with UConn in 2016.
11. Napheesa was named to the All-American team three times during her college career.
12. She finished her college career with 2,401 points, ranking her fourth on UConn's all-time scoring list.
13. Collier also grabbed 1,219 rebounds, placing her third in UConn history.
14. She was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2019.
15. Napheesa was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2019.
16. She recorded 49 double-doubles during her college career, showcasing her versatility.

Professional Career

Napheesa Collier's transition to the WNBA was seamless, and she quickly established herself as one of the league's brightest stars.

17. Collier was selected sixth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2019 WNBA Draft.
18. She made an immediate impact, earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2019.
19. Napheesa was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2019.
20. She averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in her rookie season.
21. Collier was selected as a WNBA All-Star in 2019.
22. She became the first Lynx rookie to start every game since Maya Moore in 2011.
23. Napheesa scored a career-high 27 points in a game against the Las Vegas Aces in 2019.
24. She was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2020.
25. Collier helped lead the Lynx to the playoffs in each of her first two seasons.

International Play

Napheesa Collier has also represented the United States on the international stage, showcasing her skills against the world's best.

26. Collier won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
27. She also won gold at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.
28. Napheesa was a member of the USA Basketball Women's National Team pool in 2019.
29. She helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup.
30. Collier was part of the USA team that won gold at the 2021 FIBA Women's AmeriCup.
31. She played a key role in Team USA's victory at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, earning a gold medal.

Personal Life

Beyond the basketball court, Napheesa Collier has a rich personal life filled with interesting facts and accomplishments.

32. Collier is engaged to Alex Bazzell, a basketball skills trainer.
33. She has a strong presence on social media, with thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter.
34. Napheesa is an advocate for social justice and has used her platform to speak out on important issues.
35. She enjoys cooking and often shares her culinary creations on social media.
36. Collier is a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues.
37. She has a dog named Luna, who frequently appears in her social media posts.
38. Napheesa is involved in various charitable activities, including youth basketball clinics.
39. She has a close relationship with her UConn teammates and often reunites with them during the offseason.
40. Collier is known for her work ethic and dedication to improving her game.

Achievements and Awards

Napheesa Collier's career is decorated with numerous achievements and awards that highlight her talent and hard work.

41. She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2020.
42. Collier was a two-time recipient of the Dawn Staley Award, given to the nation's best guard.
43. She was named the USBWA National Freshman of the Year in 2016.
44. Napheesa was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award in 2019.
45. She was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2021.
46. Collier was a two-time winner of the Katrina McClain Award, given to the nation's best power forward.
47. She was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week multiple times.
48. Napheesa was selected to the WNBA All-Star Game in 2021.
49. She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2021.
50. Collier was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Final Thoughts on Napheesa Collier

Napheesa Collier's journey in basketball is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days in Missouri to becoming a standout player in the WNBA, she’s shown incredible dedication and talent. Her achievements, both on and off the court, highlight her as a role model for aspiring athletes. Collier’s commitment to her sport and community demonstrates the impact one person can have. Whether it's her impressive stats, her leadership, or her community involvement, Collier continues to make waves. Her story reminds us that hard work, passion, and perseverance can lead to great success. Keep an eye on her career; she’s bound to achieve even more. Thanks for joining us on this journey through the life and career of Napheesa Collier. Stay curious and keep exploring the stories of remarkable individuals like her.