Napheesa Collier is making headlines again—this time, not just for her skills on the court but for her generosity off it. The Minnesota Lynx star is reportedly pledging $100,000 to the training and performance staff, as well as assistant coaches of her team, the Lunar Owls, after a successful first season in the Unrivaled basketball league.
A Champion’s Gesture of Gratitude
Collier’s donation isn’t just a token of appreciation—it’s half of the prize money she secured in Unrivaled’s first-ever one-on-one tournament. In a thrilling final, she went head-to-head with Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards, securing the victory on February 14. The win was significant, but Collier wanted to share her success.
“I wanted to make sure I found a way to show appreciation to the staff members,” Collier told ESPN. Those behind the scenes—the trainers, assistant coaches, and performance experts—have played a vital role in shaping Unrivaled’s foundation, and she felt they deserved recognition.
The Birth of a New League
Unrivaled isn’t just another basketball league; it’s a bold move toward changing the landscape of women’s basketball. Collier, alongside WNBA star Breanna Stewart, co-founded the league to provide an alternative for WNBA players who traditionally go overseas during the offseason.
Instead of long flights and unfamiliar environments, Unrivaled offers players a chance to train, compete, and build their careers at home. The league boasts a state-of-the-art arena and training facilities in Miami, setting a new standard in women’s professional sports. More notably, it claims to offer the highest average salary of any women’s league—a major shift in financial opportunities for players.
Collier’s Legacy in the WNBA
At 28, Collier has already built an impressive resume. Drafted No. 6 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in 2019, she quickly made her presence felt.
Her WNBA career statistics speak volumes:
- 17.4 points per game
- 7.9 rebounds per game
- 2.9 assists per game
- 1.7 steals per game
Her list of accolades keeps growing, too. She clinched the 2019 Rookie of the Year award, has been named an All-Star four times, and most recently, in 2024, took home her first Defensive Player of the Year award. That same year, she led the Lynx to the WNBA Finals, coming within a game of securing the title before falling to the New York Liberty in Game 5.
The Bigger Picture: Changing the Game
Collier’s donation is more than just a thank-you—it’s a statement about the future of women’s basketball. Her move signals a shift in how players see their role, not just as athletes but as stakeholders in the sport’s growth.
Unrivaled’s success, combined with efforts like Collier’s, could change the financial structure of women’s basketball, encouraging more investment and stability in the long run. With big names involved and a mission-driven approach, the league is already making waves in its debut season.
