Women's basketball has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Former college basketball superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese played a massive role in that development, with their rivalry providing tremendous marketing material and even better on-court play.
Clark and Reese have now emerged as frontrunners for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2024 season, further solidifying their mainstream notoriety.
For as deserving as Clark and Reese are of the hype they've received, it's important not to lose sight of the players who paved the way for them. That not only includes the legends of yesteryear, but the stars of today who are at the top of the WNBA hierarchy.
This does nothing to take away from what Clark and Reese have already contributed to the league and sport, but instead is meant to highlight the stars who deserve just as much recognition for what they've provided, as well.
That all begins with a player who is continuing a great tradition of players performing at a Hall of Fame level in the Midwest.
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier is continuing the longstanding tradition of the Minnesota Lynx playing home to superstar talent. Following in the footsteps of Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, and Lindsay Whalen, Collier is an MVP-caliber player looking to deliver a title.
Fresh off of leading Minnesota to the 2024 Commissioner's Cup, during which she won the in-season tournament MVP award, Collier should be a household name.
Collier won the Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and hasn't slowed down in the accumulation of accolades. She's now a four-time All-Star, two-time All-WNBA honoree, and two-time All-Defense selection—as well as a 2016 NCAA Champion and 2024 Euroleague Champion.
Successful at every level, the 27-year-old Collier is looking to add a WNBA championship to her résumé in 2024—and could very well do so.
Collier is currently battling an injury that could keep her out until the Olympic break, but she's been nothing short of sensational when on the court. Thus far in 2024, she's averaging 20.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks in yet another All-WNBA and All-Defense level season.
With Minnesota near the top of the WNBA standings, Collier should soon return and give her team a legitimate opportunity to win it all in 2024.