Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts tagged as “Napheesa Collier”

Ionescu, Plum, and Mitchell Among Stars “Cored” for 2026 WNBA

April 8, 2026

Alexa Philippou, writing for ESPN;

Ten of 15 WNBA teams have extended core qualifying offers to players since free agency started Monday.

Players who have been “cored” — akin to being given the NFL’s franchise tag — include Sabrina Ionescu, by the New York Liberty; Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx); Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever); Kelsey Plum, (Los Angeles Sparks); and Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings).

The core designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights to a player and comes with a baseline contract of a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax ($1.4 million in 2026), though the player can negotiate different terms.

Here’s the full list of cored players, via @alexaphilippou

  • Atlanta: Allisha Gray
  • Chicago: Ariel Atkins
  • Dallas: Arike Ogunbowale
  • Indiana: Kelsey Mitchell
  • LA: Kelsey Plum
  • Minnesota: Napheesa Collier
  • NY: Sabrina Ionescu
  • Portland: Bridget Carleton
  • Seattle: Ezi Magbegor
  • Toronto: Marina Mabrey

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Unveils the 15-Woman Roster for April Training Camp

April 1, 2026

USA Basketball just announced the 15 players who will participate in a training camp set for April 1-3 in Phoenix.

  1. A’ja Wilson
  2. Azura Stevens
  3. Brittney Sykes
  4. Cameron Brink
  5. JuJu Watkins
  6. Kayla Thornton
  7. Mikayla Blakes
  8. Monique Billings
  9. Napheesa Collier
  10. Paige Bueckers
  11. Rae Burrell
  12. Rickea Jackson
  13. Sabrina Ionescu
  14. Stefanie Dolson
  15. Veronica Burton

2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) will lead training camp and will be assisted by court coaches Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt University), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).

USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird is set to evaluate the current roster pool ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. This assessment will include players from the recent qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico as the U.S. prepares to pursue its fifth consecutive gold medal from September 4–13.

Indiana Fever defeat league-leader Minnesota Lynx without Collier (83 – 72)

September 10, 2025

The Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 83-72 on September 9, 2025, in their final regular season game. The Lynx, who are the league’s top-ranked team, chose to rest their star player and MVP candidate, Napheesa Collier.

Despite also being without their star rookie, Caitlin Clark, who is out for the season with a groin injury, the Fever got off to a hot start, taking a 14 points lead at the end of the 1st qtr and never looking back. The Lynx where able to cut the lead to just 5-points (50 – 45) but with their leader Napheesa Collier, Minnesota could not get over the Fever.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 18 points, while Odyssey Sims added 15. Aliyah Boston also had a notable performance scoring 12 points and 8 rebounds, she broke her own franchise record for most rebounds in a single season with 361.

The Lynx struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where they went 2-for-20. Jessica Shepard, who started in place of Collier, led the Lynx with 16 points and 7 rebounds. The loss moves the Lynx’s record to 33-10, while the Fever finished their season at 24-20 and with the win of Seattle over Golden State, the Fever will now head to the playoffs as the 6th seed.

Game Highlights

Team Collier Dominates Team Clark, Collier Crowned MVP of 2025 WNBA All-Star Game (151-131 )

July 20, 2025

Napheesa Collier, the team captain of Team Collier, bagged the MVP award for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game as her team routed Team Clark. Collier scored an All-Star Game-record 36 points and 9 rebounds. Meanwhile, her All-Star teammate Skylar Diggins recorded the first triple-double in an All-Star Game, with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Here’s the full game highlights of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game;

Two major milestones as Napheesa Collier broke the scoring record with 36 PTS and Skylar Diggins records the first triple double in All-Star history!

Watch the 2025 WNBA All-Star Draft with Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier

July 9, 2025

The 2025 WNBA All-Star captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier join Malika Andrews on WNBA Countdown to make their team selections.

2025 WNBA ALL-STAR TEAM ROSTERS


TEAM CLARK
PLAYER TEAM HT COLLEGE ASG
Aliyah Boston Indiana Fever 6-5 South Carolina 3
^Sonia Citron Washington Mystics 6-1 Notre Dame 1
*Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever 6-0 Iowa 2
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty 5-11 Oregon 4
^Kiki Iriafen Washington Mystics 6-3 Southern California 1
Kelsey Mitchell Indiana Fever 5-8 Ohio State 3
Satou Sabally Phoenix Mercury 6-4 Oregon 3
^Kayla Thornton Golden State Valkyries 6-1 Texas-El Paso 1
^Gabby Williams Seattle Storm 5-11 Connecticut 1
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces 6-4 South Carolina 7
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces 6-0 Notre Dame 4

TEAM COLLIER
PLAYER TEAM HT COLLEGE ASG
^Paige Bueckers Dallas Wings 6-0 Connecticut 1
*Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx 6-1 Connecticut 5
Skylar Diggins Seattle Storm 5-9 Notre Dame 7
Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream 6-0 South Carolina 3
Rhyne Howard Atlanta Dream 6-2 Kentucky 3
Nneka Ogwumike Seattle Storm 6-3 Stanford 10
Kelsey Plum Los Angeles Sparks 5-8 Washington 4
Angel Reese Chicago Sky 6-3 Louisiana State 2
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty 6-4 Connecticut 7
Alyssa Thomas Phoenix Mercury 6-2 Maryland 6
Courtney Williams Minnesota Lynx 5-8 South Florida 2

* denotes All-Star team captain by virtue of being the starters to receive the most votes in balloting by fans
^ denotes first-time All-Star selection

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, Team Clark vs. Team Collier, will be on Saturday, July 19th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of Indiana Fever.

Clark & Collier: Drafting Their Dream All-Star Teams (and Trading Coaches!)

July 9, 2025

WNBA All-Star Team Captains just concluded their 2025 All-Star Draft, both team captains even agreed to trade their coach.

From WNBA: “Following the final selection, the captains made one trade, swapping head coaches. As a result, Cheryl Reeve and her Lynx staff will now guide Team Collier and Sandy Brondello and her New York Liberty staff will lead Team Clark.”

Below are the 2025 WNBA All-Star Draft selections and the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rosters.

2025 WNBA All-Star Draft
First Round: Starters Selections
Team Clark Team Collier
Pick 1:   Aliyah Boston, Indiana Pick 2:   Breanna Stewart, New York
Pick 3:   Sabrina Ionescu, New York Pick 4:   Allisha Gray, Atlanta
Pick 5:   A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Pick 6:   Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle
Pick 7:   Satou Sabally, Phoenix Pick 8:   Paige Bueckers, Dallas
Second Round: Reserves Selections
Team Clark Team Collier
Pick 10:   Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Pick 9:     Courtney Williams, Minnesota
Pick 12:   Gabby Williams, Seattle Pick 11:   Skylar Diggins, Seattle
Pick 14:   Sonia Citron, Washington Pick 13:   Angel Reese, Chicago
Pick 16:   Kiki Iriafen, Washington Pick 15:   Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix
Pick 18:   Jackie Young, Las Vegas Pick 17:   Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles
Pick 20:   Kayla Thornton, Golden State Pick 19:   Rhyne Howard, Atlanta

WNBA announces the 2025 WNBA All-Star Reserves

July 7, 2025

After announcing the Starters and the Coaches for this year’s All-Star games, WNBA has announce the 12 Reserves for the 2025 WNBA All-Stars. The reserves high-lighted by veterans Skylar Diggins of the Seattle Storm and Alyssa Thomas from Phoenix Mercury, and rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen who are both from Washington Mystics.

  1. Sonia Citron, Mystics (Rookie and 1st All-Star selection)
  2. Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm (7th All-Star selection)
  3. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream (3rd All-Star selection)
  4. Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics (Rookie and 1st All-Star selection)
  5. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever (3rd All-Star selection)
  6. Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks (4th All-Star selection)
  7. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky (2nd All-Star selection)
  8. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury (6th All-Star selection)
  9. Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries (1st All-Star selection)
  10. Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx (2nd All-Star selection)
  11. Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm (1st All-Star selection)
  12. Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces (4th All-Star selection)

Team Captains Clark and Collier will draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the just announced pool of 12 reserves.

Here are now the full roster of 2025 WNBA All-Stars.
2025 WNBA ALL-STARS

STARTERS
PLAYER TEAM POSITION
^Paige Bueckers Dallas Wings Guard
**Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Guard
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream Guard
**Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Frontcourt
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Frontcourt
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Frontcourt
Aliyah Boston Indiana Fever Frontcourt
Nneka Ogwumike Seattle Storm Frontcourt
Satou Sabally Phoenix Mercury Frontcourt

RESERVES
^Sonia Citron Washington Mystics Guard
Skylar Diggins Seattle Storm Guard
Rhyne Howard Atlanta Dream Guard
^Kiki Iriafen Washington Mystics Frontcourt
Kelsey Mitchell Indiana Fever Guard
Kelsey Plum Los Angeles Sparks Guard
Angel Reese Chicago Sky Frontcourt
Alyssa Thomas Phoenix Mercury Frontcourt
^Kayla Thornton Golden State Valkyries Frontcourt
Courtney Williams Minnesota Lynx Guard
^Gabby Williams Seattle Storm Guard
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard

**denotes All-Star team captain by virtue of being one of the two highest vote-getters in voting by fans.
^ denotes first-time All-Star selection.

WNBA announces the 2025 WNBA All-Star Starters

July 1, 2025

The two All-Star captains, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the pool of 12 reserves.

WNBA is scheduled to announce that 12 All-Star reserves on July 6, and looking at the fan voting results, I have a good idea on who the 12 All-Star reserves will be.

Here are the number of vote that each All-Star starters received;

  1. Caitlin Clark (IND) – 1,293,526
  2. Napheesa Collier (MIN) – 1,176,020
  3. Aliyah Boston (IND) – 1,174,669
  4. A’ja Wilson (LVA) – 986,662
  5. Breanna Stewart (NYL) – 972,434
  6. Paige Bueckers (DAL) – 805,471
  7. Sabrina Ionescu (NYL) – 583,428
  8. Satou Sabally (PHX) – 456,025
  9. Allisha Gray (ATL) – 441,346
  10. Nneka Ogwumike (SEA) – 398,608

Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will the Team Captains for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game

June 30, 2025

The WNBA just concluded the voting period for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. Clark and Collier are the two All-Star starters who received the most fan votes. Clark received 1,293,526 votes from fans, and Collier received 1,176,020.

Clark is averaging 18.2 points and a career-high 8.9 assists per game, while Collier ranks No. 1 in the WNBA in scoring (a career-high 24.5 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (8.4 rpg), leading the Lynx to a league-best 13-2 record.

Before the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, with their teams, will face each other in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals this July 2nd.

In a statement, the WNBA said that “the two All-Star captains will then draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the pool of 12 reserves.”

The 10 starters, including Clark and Collier, were selected from across the WNBA without regard to conference affiliation. Current WNBA players and a media panel joined fans in selecting the All-Star starters. Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote, while current WNBA players and a media panel each accounted for 25 percent.

After the starters have been announced, the league’s head coaches will select the 12 reserves without regard to conference affiliation. The head coaches will vote for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players at either position regardless of conference. Coaches may not vote for players on their own team. The names of the 12 reserves will be revealed across WNBA social and digital platforms on Sunday, July 6, at noon ET.

The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of the Fever, on Saturday, July 19.

WNBA release First Returns of Fan Voting in WNBA All-Star Voting 2025

June 23, 2025

WNBA just release first of fan voting for the coming WNBA All-Star Voting 2025 in Indiana and as expected, Fever star guard Caitlin Clark is the top vote getter with 515,993 votes, followed by Napheesa Collier (484,758) and teammate Aliyah Boston with 446,961 votes. Amongst all the team, Indiana Fever have the most player in the top 40, followed by New York Liberty with 4 players.

Here are the top 40 leaders;

  1. Caitlin Clark, Guard (IND) 515,993
  2. Napheesa Collier, Frontcourt (MIN) 484,758
  3. Aliyah Boston, Frontcourt (IND) 446,961
  4. A’ja Wilson, Frontcourt (LVA) 394,600
  5. Breanna Stewart, Frontcourt (NYL) 367,819
  6. Paige Bueckers, Guard (DAL) 312,920
  7. Kelsey Mitchell, Guard (IND) 277,664
  8. Sabrina Ionescu, Guard (NYL) 234,684
  9. Lexie Hull, Guard (IND), 217,438
  10. Kiki Iriafen, Frontcourt (WAS) 213,500
  11. Kelsey Plum, Guard (LAS) 204,845
  12. Satou Sabally, Frontcourt (PHX) 175,611
  13. Angel Reese, Frontcourt (CHI) 173,363
  14. Allisha Gray, Guard (ATL) 168,349
  15. Jonquel Jones, Frontcourt (NYL) 162,259
  16. Natasha Howard, Frontcourt (IND) 158,331
  17. Gabby Williams, Frontcourt (SEA) 144,257
  18. Nneka Ogwumike, Frontcourt (SEA) 141,596
  19. Dearica Hamby, Frontcourt (LAS) 105,727
  20. Rickea Jackson, Frontcourt (LAS) 97,767
  21. Alyssa Thomas, Frontcourt (PHX) 96,141
  22. Kamilla Cardoso, Frontcourt (CHI) 95,986
  23. Sophie Cunningham, Guard (IND) 95,116
  24. Jackie Young, Guard (LVA) 82,313
  25. Rhyne Howard, Guard (ATL) 80,477
  26. Skylar Diggins, Guard (SEA) 77,596
  27. DiJonai Carrington, Guard (DAL) 77,072
  28. Brittney Sykes, Guard (WAS) 76,549
  29. Natasha Cloud, Guard (NYL) 74,280
  30. Damiris Dantas, Frontcourt (IND) 72,262
  31. Kate Martin, Guard (GSV) 67,449
  32. Temi Fágbénlé, Frontcourt (GSV) 63,931
  33. Tina Charles, Frontcourt (CON) 62,420
  34. Arike Ogunbowale, Guard (DAL) 60,947
  35. Sonia Citron, Guard (WAS) 59,939
  36. Marina Mabrey, Guard (CON) 59,939
  37. Brittney Griner, Frontcourt (ATL) 57,308
  38. DeWanna Bonner, Frontcourt (IND) 56,775
  39. Kayla Thornton, Frontcourt (GSV) 51,645
  40. Kayla McBride, Guard (MIN) 44,378

The voting is still open and will end on before midnight of the 28th of June.

Watch the First 2 Games of Unrivaled Basketball

January 19, 2025

It was the first day and first two games of Unrivaled Basketball. So far, it was more than I expected!

First game was between Mist against the Lunar Owls, the second game was between the Rose and Vinyl.

Below are the players for each team.

Mist

  • Jewell Loyd
  • Courtney Vandersloot
  • DiJonai Carrington
  • Rickea Jackson
  • Breanna Stewart
  • Aaliyah Edwards

Lunar Owls

  • Skylar Diggins-Smith
  • Courtney Williams
  • Allisha Gray
  • Cameron Brink
  • Napheesa Collier
  • Shakira Austin

Rose

  • Chelsea Gray
  • Brittney Sykes
  • Kahleah Copper
  • Lexie Hull
  • Angel Reese
  • Azurá Stevens

Vinyl

  • Arike Ogunbowale
  • Jordin Canada
  • Rhyne Howard
  • Rae Burrell
  • Aliyah Boston
  • Dearica Hamby

WNBA announces 2024 All-WNBA First Team headline by Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier

October 17, 2024

Just hours before Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals, the league announced the 2024 All-WNBA First Team which is headline by the Caitlin Clark, who was named the 2024 Rookie of the Year; A’ja Wilson, the first unanimous MVP and Napheesa Collier, who was named as the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Caitlin Clark is the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008 to be selected to the All-WNBA First Team, and the fifth rookie so honored since 2000, joining Sue Bird (2002), Tamika Catchings (2002) and Diana Taurasi (2004).

Joining Clark, Wilson and Collier, the league also named Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart as part of the 2024 All-WNBA First Team.

The 2024 All-WNBA Second Team consists of Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Phoenix Mercury guard-forward Kahleah Copper, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale and Liberty center Jonquel Jones.

Minnesota Lynx stole Game 1 of the WNBA Finals from the the top-seeded New York Liberty in OT (95-93)

October 12, 2024

ESPN;

The Lynx, who trailed by as many as 18 points, are the first team in WNBA postseason history to win a game after trailing by 15-plus points in the final 5 minutes of regulation.

Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals will forever be a classic. This was a game that New York Liberty should have won, or must win. Since this is just a best of 5 series, one win could swing the whole series and this is a great start for the Lynx.

Three Lynx players scored 20-plus points; Courtney Williams, who went berserk in the 4th quarter and made a 4-point play in the last 5.5 seconds left in regulation, scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Napheesa Collier finished the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks and 3 steals. Kyla McBride added 22 points and 4 rebounds.

Game 2 will still be at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY this Sunday, Oct 13, 2024.

2024 WNBA Individual Awards  

September 29, 2024

Shams Charania via X (@ShamsCharania);

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has been awarded the Defensive Player of the Year, sources confirm.

Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson received MVP and Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington won Most Improved Player.

Except for Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson MVP award, WNBA has yet to officially announce this years 2024 WNBA Individual Awards.

It would have been great if A’ja Wilson was also named as the DPOY, since Wilson lead the league in blocks, and top 5 in steal and rebounds.

As for the Rookie of the Year, with all other rookies sideline by the end of the regular season, Caitlin Clark will be the runaway winner for ROY, I was thinking that Cameron Brink could at least make it to a interesting race at the start of the season.

Napheesa Collier’s 26 points powers Minnesota Lynx win over Indiana Fever (99 – 88)  

September 7, 2024

ESPN WNBA;

Napheesa Collier scored nine of her 26 points in the third quarter, Bridget Carleton made three 3-pointers in the final four minutes and the Minnesota Lynx overcame a 25-point night by Caitlin Clark to snap Indiana’s five-game winning streak with a 99-88 win over the Fever on Friday night.

The Indiana Fever are 7 – 3 in their last 10 games, two of those loses are from Minnesota Lynx. This may very well be a playoff preview between Minnesota Lynx (2nd) and Indiana Fever (6th), that is if the Fever are able to go deep in the post season.

Fever’s “Big Three” had a huge game but not enough to get the win.

Caitlin Clark scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Aliyah Boston scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 23 points.