LOS ANGELES, CA — Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is a testament to dedication and continuous improvement in professional basketball. Reflecting on her growth from rookie to seasoned player, Collier credits her evolution to the wealth of experience she has accumulated over time.
“I think a big thing is just experience,” Collier told Nitecast Media. “Being in the league for so long, you learn how to play against professional athletes.” Collier embraces the opportunity to refine her skills with each passing year, noting, “Every year, I try to pick something to get better at. My ball handling has improved, and I think my three-point percentage and my ability to take threes has improved greatly.“
When pondering what basketball icon Michael Jordan might think of her game now that he’s a special analyst for NBC, Collier hopes he would appreciate her efforts.
“I just signed [with Jordan Brand], so I hope he’d be proud,” she said. Highlighting the influence of both Jordan and Kobe Bryant on her style.
“I think my footwork. You know, I modeled a lot of my game after MJ and Kobe because of their footwork. I admire it so much, and I hope he would be proud of that.“
Beyond personal achievements, Collier is profoundly committed to empowering her fellow players through initiatives like Unrivaled Basketball, which she co-founded with New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart. This venture serves not only as a platform for players to hone their skills in the United States but also aims to redefine the treatment and recognition of women athletes.
“I’m just really proud,” Collier said. “The reason that we created Unrivaled is to grow the women’s game, grow what it means to treat women’s athletes, to pay them, what it means to be a women’s athlete. So I feel we’ve done that already in the first year.“
The success of Unrivaled fuels a broader ambition to enhance the sport’s landscape and athlete compensation. “Hopefully, the sky’s the limit. We hope to grow. We hope to keep impacting other salaries,” she affirms, eager for what the future holds. Yet, despite these widespread efforts, Collier remains laser-focused on winning a championship with her team.
“We obviously got so close to the championship last year, so that’s my number one goal. And I think all the other stuff comes after that.“
Reflecting on her time at UConn, Collier listed her favorite memories and all-time team from UConn. “Well, my all-time actual team was, I would say, the 2016 championship because we had a great lineup.” If tasked with selecting an all-time UConn starting five, Collier’s choices reflect both talent and enduring connections: “I’d pick Diana [Taurasi], Sue [Bird], of course, Maya [Moore]. I’d have to put me on there. And I would pick Stewie [Breanna Stewart], my co-founder.“
Through her journey and impact, Napheesa Collier continues to inspire both on and off the court. She embodies a commitment to excellence and empowerment that resonates throughout women’s basketball.
