Napheesa Collier, one of the most dominant forces in women’s college basketball in 2019, delivered an MVP-worthy performance on the court—just not, apparently, to the voters of the Naismith College Player of the Year award. In a jaw-dropping snub that still sparks debates, Collier was excluded from even the top four finalists, despite lighting up the stat sheet and dragging UConn to another Final Four appearance.
But Collier didn’t sulk or throw a pity party. Instead, she shrugged off the rejection with the kind of confidence Kobe Bryant himself would applaud. Speaking to the New York Times, Collier laid down some hard truths about subjective awards:
“Yeah, I thought it was crazy, but I don’t need people voting to tell me I’m the best,” Collier quipped. And just when you thought she’d leave it there, she went full Black Mamba: “Kobe Bryant only won one MVP, so that shows the best player doesn’t always win. And to be honest, right now I’m focused on something they can’t vote on, which is winning a national championship.”
Collier’s perspective is as impressive as her game—because let’s face it, when you’re mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe, you’ve already transcended the debate.
The Snub Heard Around the Hardwood
The 2019 Naismith finalists included Iowa’s Megan Gustafson (who eventually won), Louisville’s Asia Durr, Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale, and Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu. All outstanding players, no doubt, but leaving Collier off that list? Blasphemy, according to UConn’s legendary coach, Geno Auriemma.
“Dr. Naismith is rolling over in his grave,” Auriemma declared, leaning into full dad-who’s-had-enough energy. “She’s punished because she plays at Connecticut. If she played anywhere else, she’d be the front-runner with the numbers she puts up.”
Collier’s stats spoke volumes, but apparently, the Huskies’ decades of dominance made her greatness too easy to overlook. Auriemma may have been exaggerating about Dr. Naismith’s reaction, but you can bet even the good doctor would’ve scratched his head at that snub.
MVP Snub? No Problem—Mamba Mentality Activated
Despite the insult, Collier was busy achieving things no panel of voters could deny. She helped lead UConn to the Final Four, dropping buckets and grabbing boards like it was her birthright. Even though the Huskies fell short against Notre Dame in the semifinals, Collier’s stock was untouchable. Days later, the Minnesota Lynx snapped her up as the No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft.
And let’s not forget her real MVP moments: working out with Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi. Collier and her husband, Alex Bazzell—an NBA trainer—spent time with the Bryants, sharpening skills and trading Mamba Mentality wisdom.
Collier even had the honor of playing one-on-one with Gigi, who, unsurprisingly, came at her with a competitive fire that made her father proud. On Podcast P with Paul George, Collier reminisced:
“She was fearless, trying to go against me, not scared about getting blocked. Doing her moves, taking her Kobe fadeaway—it was incredible.”
Turning Snubs Into Motivation
In the end, Collier has proven that MVP awards and accolades, while nice, aren’t the final word on greatness. Like her idol Kobe, she uses every slight as fuel to reach greater heights. Whether it’s dominating in the WNBA or mentoring the next generation, Napheesa Collier’s legacy is already golden—voter approval be damned.
As for the Naismith voters? Let’s hope they learn a lesson before Dr. Naismith actually does start rolling in his grave.
