SB Nation is taking a look at each of the 12 members of the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team this week. Here’s what you need to know about Napheesa Collier, the rising superstar expected to be a mainstay on Team USA.
Fast Facts
team: Minnesota Lynx (17-8)
Regular Season Stats: 20 points (46.8%), 10.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.5 blocks
position: Forward
Draft Class: 6th place in 2019
All-Star Selection: 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024)
Past Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 Olympics
CollegeUniversity of Connecticut – Winner of the NCAA Championship in 2016
Napheesa Collier is having an MVP-caliber season
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than A’ja Wilson winning the MVP award this season, as the Aces star forward is putting up historic numbers and is a sure bet to win the award for the third time in her career.
But the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier is having an all-around season that certainly gives you pause for thought. She’s the only WNBA player other than Wilson to average a double-double of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. In fact, they’re the only two players to finish in the top five league-wide in both rebounding and scoring.
Perhaps most impressively, Collier is also a key component of the Lynx’s league-leading defense. She’s typically tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best forward, but she frequently switches to guard as well. A two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection, Collier’s 2.2 steals per game are second-most in the league.
Collier launches Unrivaled Basketball League with Breanna Stewart
Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, best friends since their days at the University of Connecticut, recently announced the launch of a new basketball league that could revolutionize the world of professional women’s basketball.
Recognizing that the league’s stars would have to spend their offseasons overseas, the two teamed up to UnparalleledNBA.com is a Miami-based three-on-three basketball league in which 30 WNBA stars will compete starting in January, and one of the things that makes the league unique is the pay: all salaries are in the six figures, and players also own stock.
“That’s really important to us,” Collier said. He told the Associated Press“Compensation is a big part of Unrivaled as a league and as a business. All first-year players will have equity in the league. We’re really happy that our players have a piece of the pie and can grow their wealth for generations.”
She will be a big contributor to the U.S. team.
Napheesa Collier is the only member of the Minnesota Lynx to be selected for the U.S. national team, but coach Cheryl Reeve, who has led the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball program since 2021, will also be traveling.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Collier was the youngest player on the U.S. team and her limited playing time reflected that. This year, Collier is a superstar and even bigger expectations are expected of her heading into Paris.
Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
In February, she showcased her improved all-around game at the international level, as she was dominant in the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, leading Team USA to a 3-0 record and averaging 19 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game.
“Previously, [Team USA’s] “I’m so happy to be a part of the team,” Collier said. He told The Next Hoops“Obviously, I want to have a bigger role this time around. I don’t know if I’m the veteran on the team, but I feel like I’m more of a veteran than I was last time. I’ve got three more years of experience in the league and I’ve played overseas. All of that combines together.” [being] “I’ve become a better overall player. I think my basketball IQ has improved, and I hope to be able to show those skills at the Olympics.”
Collier led the Lynx to a Commissioner’s Cup victory last month.
Many expected the Liberty to beat the Lynx at the Commissioner’s Cup in New York last month, but Minnesota emerged victorious, thanks in large part to the dominant play of Napheesa Collier.
Collier, 27, finished with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Lynx’s win over Liberty. Coach Reeve used the opportunity to highlight how the Lynx’s success has not gone unnoticed nationally and to praise Collier’s stellar play.
“What do we have to do before people really start believing us?” Reeve said. From USA Today“And we don’t really care what y’all think, except now… Right now we can say to y’all, ‘Talk about us’… We just beat a super team. Let’s talk about it.”
