Napheesa Collier once made her feelings clear on award snub with Kobe Bryant namedrop: "Kobe only won one MVP"

Napheesa Collier was snubbed for the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2019 in her final season with the UConn Huskies. Collier was one of the best players in women's college basketball that year but didn't even make the final four.

Speaking to the New York Times, Collier admitted that she was surprised to not be named a finalist for the award. However, she used it as motivation, as not all great players are given the credit they deserve, citing Kobe Bryant having just one NBA MVP on his legendary resume.

"Yeah, I thought it was crazy, but I don't need people voting to tell me I'm the best," Collier said.

"I know I am. Kobe Bryant only won one MVP, so that shows the best player doesn't always win. And to be honest, right now I'm focused on something they can't vote on, which is winning a national championship."

Napheesa Collier was snubbed in favor of Iowa's Megan Gustafson, Louisville's Asia Durr, Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale and Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu. Gustafson won the Naismith College Player of the Year, while Ionescu took home the Wade Trophy.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma wasn't happy with Collier not even making the final four. Auriemma told the New York Times that the Missouri native was punished because of the Huskies' success over the years.

"Dr. Naismith is rolling over in his grave," Auriemma said. "He is, he never envisioned that somebody that good would be left off his list. I feel bad for her. If she played at any other school, she'd be the front-runner with the numbers she puts up. But she plays at Connecticut, so what are you going to do?'

Despite the snub, Napheesa Collier helped UConn reach the Final Four, where the Huskies lost 81-76 to Notre Dame in the semifinals. She was then drafted sixth by the Minnesota Lynx a few days later.

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Napheesa Collier trained with Kobe Bryant's daughter Gigi

Napheesa Collier trained with Kobe Bryant's daughter Gigi. (Photo: IMAGN)

Napheesa Collier and her husband Alex Bazzell used to work out with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant. Collier shared the story of even playing one-on-one against Gigi, who also had his father's passion and mindset, on Podcast P with Paul George.

"She was fearless, trying to go against me, not scared about getting blocked," Collier said (54:26).

"Like doing her moves, taking her Kobe fadeaway over the shoulders, midpost move, guarding me as hard as she could, she was in it. She wanted to win that game, she's not thinking that she was going to lose that game. She had truly that Mamba mentality."

Bazzell is a basketball trainer, who has worked out with many NBA players over the years, including Kobe. Collier and her husband were amon many who grieved the death of the LA Lakers legend, Gigi and seven others in an unfortunate helicopter accident on Jan. 26, 2020.