When Napheesa Collier first showed an interest in basketball, her parents tried to get her onto the only Amateur Athletic Union team in Jefferson City. The team declined without even a tryout. “It was just a, No, we’re full. Sorry ’bout it,” she said of the call. “Where I’m from in Missouri, it’s a pretty small town. So there weren’t a lot of options when it came to finding competitive teams to play on.” Standing in the face of rejection, Gamal and Sarah Collier just couldn’t let their daughter’s morale shatter. So they started an AAU team of their own. Napheesa ‘Lady Warrior’ would soon begin to compete at national AAU tournaments and make a name for themselves. Her parents didn’t just provide Phee their support; they were literally her pillar.
“Looking back on that time, it really amazes me how much love and belief my parents must have had in me to do all of that,” said a grateful Napheesa. “Through basketball, they gave me something that made me feel powerful and in control.” Starting her own league this year, Collier has a habit of playing on teams where she decides the name on the front. And as we revel in the revolution she’s brought to women’s basketball, don’t forget where it all started.
Where is Napheesa Collier from? What’s her nationality?
Collier was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, a mid-sized suburb about forty miles from St. Louis. She went to high school right next to the Missouri River at Jefferson High before transferring to Incarnate Word Academy to play under the legendary Dan Rolfes. Her husband, Alex Bazzell, is also from St. Louis and it was also where they got married in October of 2022.
She also founded a basketball club in Missouri named Collier Elite. Based in St. Louis, it serves the goal of developing young female basketball players in the area and shows her tangible commitment to the sport and community of Missouri. “As someone who played in St. Louis, I want to see the girls in St. Louis elevate and go on to the next level,” said the Lynx star.
Hailing from Missouri, Napheesa is an American national and has represented the U.S. National Team multiple times since 2014.
What are Napheesa Collier’s ethnicity and religion?
Napheesa is of mixed descent, as her parents come from different ethnic backgrounds. Her father, Gamal Collier, is of African descent and immigrated to the US from war-torn Sierra Leone. Phee’s grandfather, Gershon Collier, was a high-profile lawyer who helped negotiate Sierra Leone’s independence from Britain in 1961. He then became the country’s ambassador to both the United Nations and the United States before serving as the country’s chief justice.
Collier’s mother, Sarah, is of Caucasian descent and hails from the tiny Missouri town of Eugene. Her mother’s side of the family is quieter compared to the traditionally loud Sierra Leoneans.
There are no reports that reveal the religion of Collier. She has chosen not to be vocal about her religious and political beliefs, learning from her grandfather’s trade and movies.
Has Napheesa Collier played for the US National Team?
Napheesa has a distinguished career with USA Basketball, marked by numerous appearances across different levels and the luster of gold medals. Collier has represented her country at both the senior and youth levels.
Collier’s journey began in the youth divisions, where her talent quickly became evident. Collier was a key member of the gold-medal-winning USA teams at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, showcasing her early potential on the international stage. She continued this success at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Cup, earning another gold medal and distinguished recognition on the All-Star Five for her standout performance.
Transitioning to the senior level, Collier seamlessly integrated into the U.S. Women’s National Team, making her debut at the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup. Collier contributed to the team’s gold medal victory here, averaging 6.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. She was also a vital member of the American squads that secured gold medals at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. While she was reserved for a more limited role in Tokyo, her performances in Paris solidified her status as a USA basketball star.
In the Paris 2024 Olympics, Napheesa Collier was a starter and averaged 6.7 points & 6.5 boards across the six games. Her impact was felt in key moments, including the gold medal game against France, where she scored 7 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Her layup in the third quarter specifically shifted the momentum and gave the United States a crucial lead. Collier’s consistent high-level play underscores her importance to USA Basketball’s enduring success, evident in their historic eighth-straight gold medal.
The post What Is Napheesa Collier’s Ethnicity, Religion, and Nationality? Exploring the Lynx Star’s Family Roots and Background appeared first on EssentiallySports.