American · O'Fallon, Missouri · Born 23 September 1996Elite defensive anchor, WNBA champion and founder of her own league whose dominance has made her one of the most powerful figures in women's basketball.
Napheesa Collier was born on 23 September 1996 in Jefferson City, Missouri, and attended Incarnate Word Academy before starring at the University of Connecticut, where she helped the Huskies win multiple national championships across her four seasons. The Minnesota Lynx selected Collier sixth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, and she made an immediate impact, scoring 27 points in her debut game — the second-highest debut total in league history behind only Candace Parker — en route to winning Rookie of the Year. She became just the second rookie in league history, after Tamika Catchings, to record 400 points, 200 rebounds, and 60 steals in a single season. Collier has developed into one of the league's most complete two-way forwards, joining an elite group of players including Maya Moore and Sheryl Swoopes to post a statistical season combining scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and three-point shooting at an elite level. Collier has continued to anchor the Minnesota Lynx while also playing internationally in France and Turkey, and became a founding player of the Unrivaled 3x3 league with the Lunar Owls in 2025, helping to expand professional opportunities for women's basketball players during the WNBA offseason.
Versatile forward, elite defender, WNBA champion
She co-founded Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league launched in 2025 to give WNBA players a high-quality domestic option during the off-season — a structural innovation that has been widely praised as transformative for women's basketball.
Did You Know?How They Played
Versatile forward with strong defense and scoring ability
Lasting Impact
Two-way star who helped establish Minnesota Lynx dynasty
Career Honours
- WNBA Champion 2024
- Olympic Gold 2024
- WNBA DPOY 2023
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx | 2019–present | — | #9 |
American Athletes