A'ja Wilson is the best player in the WNBA right now. Analysts and fans can try to argue otherwise, but the three-time MVP, two-time champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and six-time All-Star is the greatest player in the sport at the moment. However, there is one player who could surpass Wilson soon.
Many fans will instantly assume the answer is Caitlin Clark. Clark earned the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award and has yet to even enter her prime in the WNBA. Becoming the unquestioned best player in the league is extremely difficult, though, and there are players with better chances than Clark to accomplish the feat.
Napheesa Collier is arguably the most underrated player in the league. Everyone acknowledges that she is a really good player, but many don't realize how incredible Collier has been. Collier is arguably the most disrespected player in the WNBA when it comes to her greatness.
Napheesa Collier's greatness must stop being ignored
Which players generated the most headlines in 2024? A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are probably at the top of the list. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty, who won the WNBA Finals, are also in the conversation. How about the best player on the team that fell just short of a championship? What about the superstar who finished second in MVP voting behind Wilson?
Despite her impressive season, Collier did not receive nearly enough attention. The 28-year-old averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in 2024. She also shot 49.2 percent from the field. Collier was acknowledged for her defense, ultimately being selected as the Defensive Player of the Year.
This argument is not a case of recency bias, though. Collier has been great for years now.
She is a four-time All-Star. Collier earned the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2019. She also has three top-five MVP finishes. Collier may not be overlooked by people in the WNBA, but fans and media simply don't give her enough attention.
However, why is Collier the top candidate to potentially surpass Wilson as the best player? After all, both stars are 28 years old and Wilson is clearly better at this moment.
Why Napheesa Collier can surpass A'ja Wilson as best player in WNBA
Collier seems to be getting even better. She was recently selected as the MVP of Unrivaled's first season. Collier has been great for a long time, but she has begun recording elite numbers within the past couple of seasons. Additionally, her team, the Minnesota Lynx, reached the WNBA Finals a season ago as mentioned.
What leads to players being considered great? Producing at an elite level while leading their teams to championships. Wilson truly captured the best player title after leading the Aces to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
If Collier's Lynx can earn a championship or two within the next few years, and if she continues to play at an elite level and earns an MVP, then Collier will potentially establish herself as the best player in the WNBA.