Napheesa Collier deserves her flowers as the best WNBA player

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Napheesa Collier deserves her flowers as the best player in the WNBA

By Kendrick E. Johnson | Last updated May 26, 2025 1:08 PM ET

Do you know the name Napheesa Collier? You should.

In most sports, the face of the league and the best player in the sport get the bulk of media attention. This is not the case for Collier, as she consistently does her thing at a high level in the shadows of Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson.

The woman who is affectionately called “Phee” by teammates, coaches and opponents is morphing into the best female basketball player in the world as reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and very few people in WNBA circles are talking about it.

Through four games this season, Collier, the face of the Minnesota Lynx organization, is leading the league, averaging 29.5 points per game along with 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game. This is while leading the Lynx to an impressive 4-0 start.

Despite playing like the best player in the world, Collier is more focused on her team, which was a shot away from winning the WNBA title just last season.

"I’m honestly focused more than MVP, I want us to win a championship this year so that’s what I’m focused on and the awards come after that," Collier said after the season-opening win against the Dallas Wings. "Of course, you want to win those awards but I’m more focused on the team and that’s where my head is at."

Collier produced a nice sample of her greatness in the Lynx's last game Friday night by producing 33 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks while leading them to a 76-70 come-from-behind victory over the Connecticut Sun.

With the ridiculous, eye-popping stat line, Collier became the fifth player in WNBA history with 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 3+ steals and 3+ blocks, joining A'ja Wilson, Lisa Leslie, Sylvia Fowles and Tari Phillips, according to the WNBA’s X account.

Napheesa Collier becomes the 5th player in WNBA history with 30+ PTS, 10+ REB, 3+ STL, and 3+ BLK, joining A'ja Wilson, Lisa Leslie, Sylvia Fowles, and Tari Phillips #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/3QpDKH40bA
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 24, 2025

Despite recently signing a shoe deal with Jordan Brand, Collier might not have the name recognition or celebrity of a Clark, Wilson or even Angel Reese right now to move the needle.

But if she keeps dominating game in and game out like she’s done over the last season and some change, everyone will eventually give Phee her flowers as the current best female basketball player in the world because that’s exactly who she is.

Kendrick E. Johnson

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