MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has signed forward Napheesa Collier to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
“Since 2019 when we drafted her, Phee has been such an integral part of our franchise maintaining its championship aspirations,” said Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “I am thrilled that she has elected to extend her contract to remain a Lynx and look forward to the years ahead with Phee as a cornerstone of the franchise.”
Collier, a 6-1 forward, started in all 29 games she appeared in for Minnesota in 2021, averaging a team-high 16.2 points (13th in WNBA), 6.6 rebounds (14th), 3.2 assists (19th), 1.3 steals (11th) and 1.3 blocks (ninth). She played a league-best 34.6 minutes per game, marking her third consecutive year leading the WNBA in this category.
“I’m excited to extend my career in Minnesota and to continue working towards a championship,” said Collier. “I look forward to joining my teammates and coaching staff for years to come.”
Named the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Collier contributed 13.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.6 apg and 0.94 bpg while leading the league in minutes played (33.3) in her debut season. Selected sixth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Collier became the lowest draft selection since Temeka Johnson (sixth pick in 2005) to win the award. She wrapped up her rookie campaign as the fifth rookie in Lynx history to start every game (Nicky Anosike, Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Nicole Ohlde) and logged 1,131 total minutes, eclipsing Seimone Augustus’ franchise rookie record of 1,127.
Over her three years in the league, Collier has played in 85 regular season games (all starts) and tallied 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. A two-time WNBA All-Star (2019, 2021), Collier has racked up additional league awards including All-WNBA Second Team (2020) and All-Defensive Second Team (2020). The Jefferson City, Mo. native won gold with the USA Basketball Women’s National Team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
