Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has made headlines for her on-court heroics, but her love story with husband and former coach Alex Bazzell might just be her most challenging (and amusing) feat yet. From drills to date nights, the Defensive Player of the Year recently spilled the tea on navigating the tricky waters of dating the guy who used to yell at her to “box out” during practice. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
In a candid chat on The Ringer WNBA Show, Collier shared the highs, lows, and laugh-out-loud moments of turning a professional relationship into a romantic one. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a slam dunk from the start.
From Trainer-Trainee to Train Wreck (Well, Almost)
“When we first started dating, it was hard,” Collier confessed, no doubt flashing back to those awkward moments when “romantic dinner” blurred into “constructive criticism.” “We had to learn how to separate our trainer-trainee dynamic from our personal lives.”
Apparently, even the reigning Defensive Player of the Year had to play defense against Bazzell’s, er, “coaching feedback” at home. “I feel like both our tempers—well, mostly mine—were shorter back then,” Collier admitted with a laugh. “Like, why is my boyfriend snapping at me about footwork while I’m trying to watch Netflix?”
It all came to a head with a classic relationship sit-down, where they hashed out boundaries. “We decided: when we’re in the gym, it’s strictly business. Outside of that, we’re partners,” she explained. The solution? Compartmentalization. Who knew love and basketball needed as much strategizing as a championship game?
Love, Basketball, and 3-on-3 Dreams
Fast-forward to 2024, and the dynamic duo has not only figured it out but is thriving. Together with Breanna Stewart, Collier and Bazzell co-founded the Unrivaled League, a bold new 3-on-3 basketball competition launching in January. While Collier brings the star power, Bazzell flexes his executive muscles as league president.
It’s all part of their shared mission to elevate opportunities for female athletes. But, of course, even in business, Bazzell’s coaching instincts are never far away. Imagine sitting in a meeting about contracts and hearing, “Keep your head in the game!” Classic Alex.
Caitlin Clark: The One Who Got Away (For Now)
The Unrivaled League has big ambitions, including courting some of the brightest stars in women’s basketball. During the same interview, Bazzell spilled the beans on their pursuit of Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark.
While rumors swirled about league expansion being a Clark-specific ploy, Bazzell set the record straight: “We expanded to bring in players like Alyssa Thomas. But hey, Caitlin, if you’re listening, we’ve got a spot with your name on it.”
Collier chimed in, suggesting that if Clark joins in 2026, she might need to bring her A-game to challenge the reigning Unrivaled queens. “Let’s just say she’ll have her work cut out for her,” Collier quipped, her competitive spirit shining through.
From Courtside to Cozy Nights In
Five years after getting engaged, Collier and Bazzell have proven that mixing business with pleasure isn’t always a recipe for disaster. Whether it’s juggling drills and diaper changes (shoutout to their adorable daughter Mila) or plotting their next big move, this power couple is making it work—one pick-and-roll at a time.
So, what’s the secret to their success? Maybe it’s love. Maybe it’s patience. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a killer game plan. Either way, Napheesa and Alex are redefining “teamwork” both on and off the court.
Now, if only they could coach us on how to turn gym partners into soulmates.
