Former Incarnate Word Academy basketball star Napheesa Collier has already been able to make an impact as a rookie in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx. After her stellar collegiate career at Connecticut, Collier was the No. 6 pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft.
In her first game, she scored 27 points in a victory over Chicago Sky on May 25. It was the second most points by a rookie player in her debut game in the 23-year history of the league. The most was 34 points, scored by current superstar Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks. She also had six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in that game.
Collier has been one of the league’s most productive rookies through the first part of the season. Through 12 games, the 6’1” Collier is averaging 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 53 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line.
