Napheesa Collier has established herself as one of the top players in the WNBA since joining the top women's basketball league in the world in 2019. Before the Minnesota Lynx made her the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, Collier made a name for herself with the UConn Huskies, enjoying immense success in women's college basketball under the guidance of veteran head coach Geno Auriemma.
In four seasons with the Huskies, Collier etched her name in the program's record books for various categories. She finished her college basketball career with the Huskies third in career points (2,401), career field goals made (986) and career field goal percentage (61.3), and seventh in career scoring average (16.0).
Collier was also fearsome in defence, finishing fourth in career rebounds (1,219) and seventh in career blocks (251) and career rebound average (8.1). She is also one of only five Huskies to record over 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, putting her in an elite list alongside UConn legends like Maya Moore and Tina Charles.
Napheesa Collier won her only NCAA Tournament title in her freshman season
Collier made a memorable impact in her freshman season, helping UConn to its 11th national championship in program history as a solid rotation option. In nine starts, she averaged 6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 1.3 spg, earning a spot on the 2016 AAC All-Freshman Team.
Collier followed up her solid freshman season with a breakout sophomore season. In 37 starts, she averaged 20.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.2 apg, earning unanimous First-Team All-American honors for the first time in her career. She also won the AAC Player of the Year Award for the first time and earned a place in the AAC First Team.
Collier enjoyed an astounding senior season, setting a new program record for single-season rebounds (411) while recording the second highest single-season points (792) and single-season field goals made (323) in the 2018-19 season.
Collier finished that season averaging 20.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg and 3.5 apg in 38 starts, earning unanimous First-Team All-American honors for the second time. She also added another AAC Player of the Year Award, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2019 Katrina McClain Award to cap off a strong senior season.
In five seasons with the Minnesota Lynx so far, Napheesa Collier has emerged as a key figure on their roster. Currently their sole captain, she has helped them make the playoffs thrice and will look to lead them to their first WNBA championship since 2017 this postseason.
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