Napheesa Collier is redefining what it means to be a well-rounded athlete. She recently won the MVP award at the WNBA All-Star Games and is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. In 2024, she was awarded the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. With all these accomplishments on the floor, she still manages to shine off the court.
Founder and Entrepreneur
She co-founded the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league with Breanna Stewart. The league offers better pay, athlete equity, and on-site childcare —things women athletes have long dreamed of. The league sets the tone for the future of women’s sports.
Motherhood
She welcomed her first daughter in May 2022, and her husband has been a consistently supportive figure, always there for the elite athlete. As an athlete, she must adapt to industry demands, which include frequent travel. This could challenge her marriage, but she has managed to find a balance.
Mental Health
In an article by Who What Wear, the 28-year-old Minnesota athlete talks about how important calm meditation and sleep are for her as a top competitor. She mentioned that she uses the Samsung Galaxy Ring, which helps monitor her rest periods. She believes that recovery is crucial for maintaining her high performance.
Athlete on a Mission
Napheesa is more than an athlete, as she uses her platform for change. In the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, she captained a team. The teams wore shirts branded “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” During the award ceremony, as she received the MVP award, the crowd chanted, “Pay Them!” In a comment responding to the event, Napheesa said, “The fans making that chant gave me chills.” This is something she has been outspoken about and one of the reasons she co-founded her own women’s league.
Beyond activism in sports, she is a partner of Opill, an over-the-counter birth control pill. She is also part of EcoAthletes, an organization that supports climate action to tackle the climate crisis.
Style
Napheesa is a trendy athlete, whether on the sidelines or the court, in game-day sneakers or off the court in heels. She describes her style as sporty and casual. She recently featured in Vogue, showcasing behind-the-scenes of the WNBA All-Star, where she stunned in both edgy and classic looks with confidence.
2025 WNBA Season
Napheesa has had a great season from the first game of her 2025 season, where she is currently averaging 23.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. In addition to winning the All-Star MVP, she has been named Player of the Month twice this season.
