Hello, Basketball fans! If you love following the WNBA and admire world-class, Napheesa Collier is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Napheesa Collier is one of the top modern stars in women’s basketball, known for her all‑around game, leadership, and growing profile on and off the court. She plays primarily for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA and has also spent time in overseas leagues to boost both her development and income.
Napheesa Collier’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Napheesa Collier |
| Nickname | “Phee” |
| Date of Birth | September 23, 1996 |
| Current Age | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | Jefferson City, Missouri, USA |
| College | University of Connecticut (UConn) – 2015-2019 |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 180-181 lbs (82 kg) |
| Position | Power Forward |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Catholic |
| WNBA Team | Minnesota Lynx |
| Turned Pro | 2019 |
| Net Worth | $2 million USD |
| Salary | $214,284 |
| Spouse | Alex Bazzell |
| Children | One daughter – Mila Sarah Bazzell |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @napheesa24 |
Early Career
Napheesa Collier’s basketball journey began with heartbreak that transformed into determination. When she wanted to join an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team in Jefferson City, Missouri, they turned her away, claiming they were full. Rather than accepting defeat, her parents, Gamal and Sarah Collier, started their own AAU team called the Lady Warriors and recruited girls from nearby towns. The team went on to compete in national AAU tournaments, setting the foundation for Phee’s extraordinary path to basketball stardom.
During her freshman year at Jefferson City High School, she averaged 17.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Her family then relocated to St. Louis, and she transferred to Incarnate Word Academy for her sophomore year, where she averaged 24.6 points and 12 rebounds. This exceptional performance caught the attention of recruiters, leading her to the University of Connecticut, where she would cement her legacy as one of the greatest college basketball players of her generation.
Professional Career
When Napheesa Collier arrived in the WNBA in 2019 as the sixth overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx, expectations were sky-high. She immediately silenced any doubts about her ability to transition to professional basketball. In her debut game, she scored an impressive 27 points with perfect efficiency, showcasing the poise and skill that would define her career. Collier earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors and was selected to the All-Star Game just 103 days after being drafted—an extraordinary achievement that highlighted her instant impact on the league.
Over her seven seasons with the Lynx, Collier has become the franchise’s cornerstone player. She has been named a WNBA All-Star four times (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024) and earned All-WNBA and All-Defensive Team honors three times each. Her 2024 season was particularly remarkable, culminating in her winning the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2025, she achieved career-high scoring with 22.9 points per game while maintaining elite efficiency across all shooting percentages. Her consistency, versatility, and commitment to winning have made her invaluable to Minnesota’s championship aspirations.
Husbend
Napheesa Collier found love with Alex Bazzell, a professional NBA and WNBA trainer and skills coach. The two first met during her senior year of high school at Incarnate Word Academy. Bazzell later became her personal trainer when she attended the University of Connecticut, and they began dating during her junior year. Their relationship blossomed over nearly a decade before Bazzell proposed in October 2019.
Interestingly, they became parents before becoming spouses. Their daughter Mila Sarah Bazzell was born on May 25, 2022, and the couple officially married on October 7, 2022, in a ceremony held in St. Louis. Bazzell, whose clientele includes NBA superstars like Trae Young, Kyrie Irving, and Carmelo Anthony, has become a pivotal figure in Collier’s professional success. Beyond their personal partnership, they’ve worked together professionally as co-founders of the groundbreaking Unrivaled Basketball League, with Bazzell serving as the league’s president. The couple represents a modern basketball power couple, combining athletic excellence with entrepreneurial ambition.
Napheesa Collier’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Napheesa Collier’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2 million USD, though some financial analysts place it closer to $1.5 million. Her wealth stems from multiple revenue streams that showcase her business acumen alongside her athletic prowess. Her WNBA salary of $214,284 for the 2025 season contributes to her annual income, but this represents just a portion of her overall earnings.
Throughout her WNBA career, Collier has earned over $647,763 in salary alone, with projections suggesting this will exceed $860,000 after the 2025 season concludes. Beyond her on-court earnings, significant income flows from her endorsement partnerships with major brands including Jordan Brand, Nike, Deloitte, Gatorade, and Glossier. Additionally, her co-ownership stake in Unrivaled Basketball League represents a major investment that’s generating returns as the league gains traction and popularity. Her position as vice president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association executive committee further demonstrates her influence and earning potential within the sport.
Contract
Napheesa Collier’s current contract reflects her status as one of the WNBA’s premier talents. She’s signed to a three-year extension agreement with the Minnesota Lynx worth $552,516, signed in May 2022. This extension averages $184,172 per season and positions her among the highest-paid forwards in the league. Her 2025 base salary is $214,284, which represents approximately 14.2% of the Lynx’s $1.5 million salary cap allocation.
The contract structure shows the progression of her earning power: in 2023 she earned $202,154, in 2024 she received $208,219, and the 2025 figure marks continued growth. All $552,516 of her extension contract is fully guaranteed, providing stability and security. Following the 2025 season, Collier will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, positioning her for potentially more lucrative negotiations given her elite status and market demand in women’s professional basketball.
Career Earnings
| Year | WNBA Salary | Notes |
| 2019 | $49,539 | Rookie Season – WNBA Rookie of the Year |
| 2020 | $57,000 | Career-high rebounds average (9.0 RPG) |
| 2021 | $58,710 | Career-high scoring (16.2 PPG) |
| 2022 | $72,141 | Limited appearances (maternity leave) |
| 2023 | $202,154 | Career-best 21.5 PPG average |
| 2024 | $208,219 | Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2025 | $214,284 | Career-high 22.9 PPG, 50-40-90 club |
| Career Total | $662,047+ | Projected to exceed $860,000 after 2025 |
Endorsements
Napheesa Collier has strategically built her brand portfolio through partnerships with leading companies:
- Jordan Brand (2025-present) – Major flagship partnership positioning her as a legacy builder in women’s basketball
- Nike (2020-2021) – Pioneering endorsement deal that included footwear and apparel; featured player-exclusive colorways of KD15
- Gatorade – Sports hydration and performance sponsor
- Deloitte – Corporate partnership and brand ambassador
- Glossier – Beauty and lifestyle partnership
- Care.com – Household services endorsement
- Dyson – Technology and home appliance partner
- Additional Partners – Various accessory, banking, investment, and software companies
Career Records
| Metric | Achievement | Context |
| Single Game Points | 39 points | vs. University of South Florida, Feb 2017 (college) |
| Single Game Rebounds | 18 rebounds | vs. Las Vegas Aces, Aug 23, 2024 (only 3rd player to outscore entire opposing team’s rebounds) |
| Triple Crown Winner | 2024 | Commissioner’s Cup, EuroLeague, Turkish Super League (rare achievement) |
| 50-40-90 Club | 2025 | 53.1% FG, 40.3% 3PT, 90.6% FT (only 2nd after Elena Delle Donne) |
| Career Double-Doubles | 47 total | Including 18 in 2024 season alone |
| WNBA All-Star Appearances | 4x | 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 |
| All-WNBA Selections | 3x | Elite scoring and efficiency recognition |
| All-Defensive Team | 3x | Elite defensive recognition |
| WNBA DPOY | 2024 | Top defensive accolade in the league |
| UConn Career Points | 2,401 | 3rd all-time in program history |
| UConn Career Rebounds | 1,219 | 4th all-time in program history |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 2x | Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 |
FAQs
1. What is Napheesa Collier’s real height and weight?
Napheesa Collier stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds (some sources list her at 6’2″). Her height and athletic build make her a versatile player capable of defending multiple positions and generating rebounds at both ends of the floor. Her size, combined with her athleticism and skill, contributes to her effectiveness as both a scorer and defender in the WNBA.
2. How much money has Napheesa Collier made from the WNBA?
Through the end of the 2024 WNBA season, Napheesa Collier had earned approximately $647,763 from her WNBA contracts alone. When you include her 2025 salary of $214,284, she will surpass $860,000 in total WNBA earnings. However, her total professional basketball income—factoring in international play, Unrivaled earnings, and endorsements—exceeds $2 million in career total wealth accumulated since 2019.
3. Is Napheesa Collier married?
Yes, Napheesa Collier is married to Alex Bazzell. They got married on October 7, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri. However, they have been together much longer—they began dating in 2017 during her junior year at UConn and got engaged in October 2019. The couple has one daughter together, Mila Sarah Bazzell, who was born on May 25, 2022, before their wedding.
4. What are Napheesa Collier’s parents’ backgrounds?
Napheesa’s father, Gamal Collier, immigrated to the United States from Sierra Leone and comes from a prominent family. Her grandfather, Gershon Collier, was a distinguished Sierra Leonean diplomat, lawyer, and served as the country’s chief justice. He helped negotiate Sierra Leone’s independence from Britain in 1961 and served as ambassador to both the United Nations and the United States. Her mother, Sarah Bierbaum, comes from a small town called Eugene in Missouri and works in hospital administration. Together, they created an AAU basketball team called the Lady Warriors when Napheesa was rejected by other local teams.
5. How much is Napheesa Collier making per year in the WNBA?
For the 2025 WNBA season, Napheesa Collier is earning a base salary of $214,284 with the Minnesota Lynx. Under her three-year extension signed in May 2022, she earns an average of $184,172 per year. This places her among the top-paid WNBA forwards and represents her market value as a superstar two-way player. She will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season, which could lead to an even more lucrative contract if she continues at her current elite level.
6. What is Napheesa Collier’s nationality and ethnicity?
Napheesa Collier is American by nationality, having been born in Jefferson City, Missouri. She is of mixed ethnicity: her father is from Sierra Leone (West Africa), and her mother is of Caucasian descent from Missouri. This multicultural heritage has been a significant part of her identity and informs her commitment to community development and representation in basketball.
7. Does Napheesa Collier have any children?
Yes, Napheesa Collier has one daughter named Mila Sarah Bazzell, born on May 25, 2022. Mila was born before Napheesa and Alex officially married, but the family unit has been strong and supportive throughout. Napheesa has spoken about how motherhood has changed her perspective on her basketball career, motivating her to work even harder to build a life she’s proud of for her daughter.
8. What awards has Napheesa Collier won in her WNBA career?
Napheesa Collier’s major WNBA awards include: 2019 Rookie of the Year, 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, 5-time WNBA All-Star (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025), 2025 All-Star Game MVP, 2024 Commissioner’s Cup Champion, multiple All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, and AP All-America honors. Beyond the WNBA, she won an NCAA national championship with UConn in 2016 and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2020 (Tokyo) and 2024 (Paris).
9. How did Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart create Unrivaled?
Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, both UConn alumni and fellow WNBA stars, co-founded Unrivaled in May 2024 as a revolutionary 3-on-3 women’s basketball league designed to provide WNBA players with better-paying offseason opportunities and more control over their professional destiny. The league raised over $35 million in funding and secured partnerships with major brands like Samsung, Sprite, Sephora, and State Farm, plus high-profile investors including Alex Morgan, Coco Gauff, and Steph Curry. The inaugural season ran from January through March 2025, with players earning an average salary of $220,000—nearly equal to the WNBA’s maximum base salary.
10. What is Napheesa Collier’s role with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association?
Napheesa Collier serves as a vice president on the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) executive committee. In this capacity, she advocates for players’ rights, better wages, and improved working conditions within the league. During the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, she was actively involved in collective bargaining agreement negotiations on behalf of the players’ union, demonstrating her commitment to improving conditions for all women’s basketball players, not just herself.