Napheesa Collier is a standout professional basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), currently playing as a forward for the Minnesota Lynx.
Born on September 23, 1996, in O’Fallon, Missouri, Collier has risen to prominence as a four-time WNBA All-Star, the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Her journey from a small-town athlete to a celebrated figure in women’s basketball is a testament to her talent, resilience, and the unwavering support of her family.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Collier is also a mother, a podcast host, and the co-founder of Unrivaled, a 3×3 basketball league aimed at providing WNBA players with opportunities during the off-season.
Parents
Napheesa’s parents, Gamal and Sarah Collier, come from strikingly different backgrounds, blending cultures and values that have profoundly influenced their daughter’s life and career.
Gamal Collier, Napheesa’s father, hails from Sierra Leone, a West African nation rich in history and culture.
Born into a family of significance – his father, Gershon Collier, was a prominent lawyer, diplomat, and briefly the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone.
Gershon played a key role in Sierra Leone’s independence from Britain in 1961 and served as an ambassador to the United Nations and the United States, even meeting President John F. Kennedy.
In 1993, at the age of 23, Gamal left Sierra Leone amid civil unrest, seeking a better future in the United States. After initially settling in New Jersey, he moved to Missouri, where he met Sarah.
Sarah Collier, Napheesa’s mother, grew up in Eugene, Missouri, a small rural town where community and family values were paramount.
A high school athlete herself, Sarah did not pursue sports professionally but channeled her energy into education and healthcare.
She earned a nursing degree from Lincoln University, where she met Gamal while working at a nursing home, and later obtained a business management degree from William Wood University and an MBA from Webster University.
Sarah’s career in healthcare has been extensive, including roles as a registered nurse, clinical supervisor, branch manager, and executive director of pediatrics at SSM Home Care.
Career
Collier’s early years in Jefferson City saw her excel at Jefferson City High School, where she averaged 17.9 points and 9.8 rebounds as a freshman.
After moving to St. Louis, she attended Incarnate Word Academy, leading the team to three state championships and earning the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year award in 2013 and 2015.
Her talent attracted attention from top colleges, and despite initially wanting to challenge the University of Connecticut (UConn)—then a dynasty with three consecutive NCAA titles—she chose to join the Huskies in 2015 after being captivated by their team camaraderie.
At UConn, Collier flourished under coach Geno Auriemma, contributing to the 2016 NCAA Championship as a freshman and reaching the Final Four all four years.
By her senior year, she averaged a double-double (20.8 points and 10.8 rebounds), finishing her collegiate career third in scoring, fourth in rebounds, and seventh in blocks in UConn history.
She joined an elite group as the fifth Husky to reach the 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club, alongside legends like Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.
Selected sixth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Collier made an immediate impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Her career has since soared, with highlights including four All-Star selections (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024), the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup MVP award, and a record-breaking 285 points in the 2024 WNBA playoffs.
Named the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, she led the Lynx to the WNBA Finals, falling just short against the New York Liberty.
Off the court, Collier’s ventures like Unrivaled and her podcast “Tea with A and Phee” with A’ja Wilson reflect her leadership and innovation in women’s basketball.
