Napheesa Collier is a prominent figure in women's basketball, currently playing for the Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe. Her illustrious career includes a successful stint with the University of Connecticut Huskies, being the 6th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, and most notably, clinching two Olympic gold medals with the United States women's national basketball team in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris games.
1961: Sierra Leone Gains Independence
Sierra Leone, the country of Napheesa Collier's grandfather's heritage, achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1961.
September 23, 1996: Napheesa Collier is Born
Napheesa Collier was born on September 23, 1996.
2013: Collier Named Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year
Napheesa Collier was named the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year in 2013.
2015: Collier Receives Second Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year Award
Napheesa Collier was named the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year for the second time in 2015. She was also one of five finalists for the Naismith Award as National Player of the Year that year.
2016: Collier Wins NCAA Championship with UConn
Napheesa Collier was part of the UConn Huskies team that won the NCAA National Championship in 2016.
October 2019: Collier and Bazzell's Engagement
Napheesa Collier and Alex Bazzell announced their engagement in October 2019.
2019: Collier is Drafted into the WNBA
In 2019, Napheesa Collier was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx with the 6th overall pick in the WNBA draft.
2019: Collier Makes WNBA Debut
Napheesa Collier made her WNBA debut in 2019, scoring 27 points against the Chicago Sky. This was the second-highest debut score ever for a WNBA rookie at the time.
2019: Collier Achieves Rookie Milestones and Earns Accolades
In 2019, Napheesa Collier became the second rookie in WNBA history to record 400 points, 200 rebounds, and 60 steals. She was also the fourth player to achieve a season with 400 points, 200 rebounds, 75 assists, 50 steals, 25 blocks, and 25 made three-pointers. Collier was voted to the WNBA All-Rookie Team and was named an All-Star.
2020: Collier Wins Olympic Gold and Launches Podcast
Napheesa Collier won her first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She also started a podcast with A'ja Wilson, called "Tea with A & Phee", during this year.
2020: Collier's Podcast is Picked Up and She Receives WNBA Honors
Napheesa Collier's podcast "Tea with A & Phee" was picked up by Just Women's Sports. Collier was also selected for the All-WNBA Second Team and the All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in her career.
2020: Collier Wins Olympic Gold with Team USA
Napheesa Collier, as part of Team USA, achieved a gold medal victory at the 2020 Summer Olympics. They triumphed over Japan with a score of 90-75 in the final game.
June 2021: Collier Selected for US Olympic Team
In a significant milestone, Napheesa Collier received her first selection to the United States women's Olympic basketball team in June 2021. This marked her debut appearance in the Olympic Games.
November 2021: Collier Announces Pregnancy
In November 2021, Napheesa Collier shared the news of her pregnancy, expecting her first child with fiancé Alex Bazzell.
2021: Collier Wins Coupe De France Finale with Lattes-Montpellier
Napheesa Collier played for Lattes-Montpellier in France in 2021 and was part of the team that won the Coupe De France Finale in Paris.
May 2022: Collier Welcomes Daughter
Napheesa Collier gave birth to her daughter in May 2022.
May 25, 2022: Collier Welcomes Daughter, Mila
On May 25, 2022, Napheesa Collier and Alex Bazzell became parents to their first child, a daughter named Mila Sarah Bazzell.
August 2022: Collier Returns to the Lynx After Maternity Leave
Napheesa Collier returned to the Minnesota Lynx in August 2022 after her maternity leave.
October 7, 2022: Collier Marries Alex Bazzell
Napheesa Collier and Alex Bazzell celebrated their marriage in St. Louis on October 7, 2022.
June 29, 2023: Collier Achieves Historic Stat Line
On June 29, 2023, Napheesa Collier became only the second player in WNBA history to achieve a stat line with 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ blocks in a single game. She had 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and six blocks during this game.
July 2023: Collier and Stewart Announce Unrivaled League
In July 2023, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart revealed their plans to establish Unrivaled, a novel professional women's basketball league. The league aims to provide WNBA players with an alternative to playing overseas during the off-season.
2023: Collier Joins Fenerbahçe and Wins SuperCup MVP
In 2023, Napheesa Collier signed a short-term contract with Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super League, teaming up with her Lynx teammate Kayla McBride. During her time with the team, she earned the Most Valuable Player award in the SuperCup Women championship.
January 2024: Collier Returns to Fenerbahçe
In January 2024, Napheesa Collier rejoined Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super League after a successful short stint the previous year.
April 2024: Collier Wins EuroLeague Championship and Sets Scoring Record
In April 2024, Napheesa Collier helped Fenerbahçe secure their second consecutive EuroLeague Women championship. She achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 33 points in the final, marking the second-highest score ever in the championship game.
May 21, 2024: Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week
Napheesa Collier was named the Western Conference Player of the Week on May 21, 2024, for the fifth time in her career.
May 27, 2024: Collier Sets League Record for Five-Game Stretch
Napheesa Collier became the first player in WNBA history to "score at least 115 points, get 50 rebounds and have 25 or more steals and blocks (she has 14 steals and 11 blocks) and 20 assists in any five-game stretch."
June 14, 2024: Collier Sets New Records in Game Against Sparks
On June 14, 2024, Napheesa Collier became the first player in WNBA history to have 30+ points, 8+ steals, 5+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks in a single game. Her eight steals during this game set a new Lynx franchise record.
June 25, 2024: Collier Wins WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship and MVP
Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship. Collier was also named the MVP of the game.
July 10, 2024: Collier Confirmed for Unrivaled's Inaugural Season
On July 10, 2024, it was officially announced that Napheesa Collier would be participating in the first season of Unrivaled, a new professional women's basketball league.
August 2024: Collier Earns Player of the Week and Month Honors
Napheesa Collier was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for August 15-25, 2024, marking the sixth time she received this honor. Later in August, she was named the Western Conference Player of the Month, marking the first time she received this particular recognition.
August 23, 2024: Collier Sets League History with Performance Against Aces
On August 23, 2024, Napheesa Collier became the third WNBA player in history to individually outrebound the entire opposing team, grabbing 18 rebounds against the Las Vegas Aces. She also became the first player in league history to have 25+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists on 70%+ shooting in a single game.
September 22, 2024: Collier Achieves 30+ Points in Playoff Game
Napheesa Collier scored 38 points in the first game of the 2024 WNBA playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury. This made her the second player in Lynx history, after Maya Moore, to have multiple 30+ point games during the postseason.
September 25, 2024: Collier Ties WNBA Playoff Point Record
Napheesa Collier scored 42 points in the second game of the 2024 WNBA playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury, tying the record for most points scored in a WNBA playoff game.
2024: Collier Wins Second Olympic Gold
Napheesa Collier won her second Olympic gold medal with the United States women's national basketball team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
2024: Collier Secures Second Olympic Gold Medal
Napheesa Collier was part of the United States women's basketball team that won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. In a thrilling final, they defeated France with a close score of 67-66. This victory marked Collier's second consecutive Olympic gold medal and contributed to the United States' impressive streak of eight consecutive gold medals in women's basketball.
2024: Collier and Samuelson Recognized as a Top WNBA Duo
By 2024, Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson were considered one of the best duos in the WNBA.
2025: Unrivaled League Set to Launch
Unrivaled, the innovative professional women's basketball league spearheaded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is scheduled to commence its inaugural season in 2025.