SB Nation is introducing each of the 12 members of the US Olympic Women’s Basketball team this week. Here’s what you need to know about Napheesa Collier, a budding superstar poised to be an X-factor on Team USA.
Napheesa Collier could be the most underrated player on Team USA
The Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier has solidified herself as a bonafide superstar and could be one of the most impactful players on the US women’s Olympic basketball team.
Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images
Noa Dalzell is a senior writer covering the WNBA and all of women’s basketball for Breakaway, SB Nation’s women’s sports vertical, as well as the Celtics for CelticsBlog.
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: 2019, pick #6
All-Star Selections: 4 (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024)
Previous Olympic Appearances: Tokyo 2020 Olympics
College: University of Connecticut – won NCAA championship in 2016
Napheesa Collier is having an MVP-caliber season
It’s hard to imagine that anyone other than A’ja Wilson will win MVP this season — the Aces’ star forward is putting up historic numbers and should be a lock to win the award for the third time in her career.
But, the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier is putting together the kind of all-around season that certainly makes you stop and think. Outside of Wilson, she’s the only WNBA player averaging at least a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double; in fact, the two are only players in the top five league-wide for both rebounding and scoring.
Perhaps most impressively, Collier is also responsible for anchoring the Lynx’s league-best defense. She’s typically tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best forward, while also frequently switching onto guards. A two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team member, Collier’s 2.2 steals per game are good for second-most in the league.
Collier is launching the Unrivaled Basketball League with Breanna Stewart
Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, close friends since their shared time at the University of Connecticut, recently announced the launch of a new basketball league that could very well change the landscape of professional women’s basketball.
Recognizing that the league’s stars have to spend their offseason overseas, the two decided to pair up to launch Unrivaled, a three-on-three basketball league based in Miami that 30 WNBA stars will compete in starting in January. One of the unique components of the league is the pay — all salaries will be six figures, and participating players will also hold equity.
“It’s really important to us,” Collier told The Associated Press. “Compensation is a huge part of Unrivaled as a league and a business. All the players in this first year will have equity in the league. For players to have a piece of the pie essentially to grow their generational wealth is something we’re really excited about.”
She’s poised to be a major contributor for Team USA
Napheesa Collier was the only member of the Minnesota Lynx named to Team USA, but she’ll be joined by her coach, Cheryl Reeve, who’s headed the Olympic women’s basketball program since 2021.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Collier was the youngest player on Team USA, and her limited minutes reflected that. This year, Collier is a superstar and has heftier expectations entering the Paris Olympics.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
In February, she showcased what her evolved all-around game looks like at the international level. She dominated 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.
“Before, I would be happy just getting [Team USA’s] water, so happy to just be on the team,” Collier told The Next Hoops. “This time around, obviously I hope to have a bigger role. I don’t know if I’m a vet on the team, but I feel like more of a vet than I was last time. I have three more years experience in the league and playing overseas now. All that combined just leads to [being] a better overall player. I think my basketball IQ is higher and hopefully I can showcase those skills in the Olympics.”
Collier led the Lynx to a Commissioner’s Cup victory last month
Most people expected the Liberty to defeat the Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup when the two teams faced off in New York last month. But, Minnesota pulled out the win, in large part thanks to the dominant play of Napheesa Collier.
The 27-year-old recorded a 21-points, 6-rebounds, 3-assists, 3-steal statline, as the Lynx defeated the Liberty. Reeve used the opportunity to highlight the lack of national attention on the Lynx’s success thus far, while praising Collier’s elite play.
“What do we have to do before you guys really start to believe in us?” Reeve said, per USA Today. “And, we don’t really care what you think except for right now… where we get to say to you, ‘You gotta talk about us’… We just beat a super team. Let’s talk about it.”
