The anticipation for the debut season of Unrivaled is reaching fever pitch, and Napheesa Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, has officially joined the ranks of the awestruck. His reaction to a recent viral clip of $214,446 WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins-Smith has fans buzzing—and a certain trainer picking himself up off the hardwood.
Let’s set the scene: Diggins-Smith, now one of the marquee names of Unrivaled’s “Lunar Owls,” turned a routine shooting drill into a highlight reel moment. In a video shared by the team’s Instagram, the six-time WNBA All-Star showcased her jaw-dropping skills, leaving her male trainer sprawled out mid-drill.
Cue the collective “Did you just see that?!” reactions.
Among the droves of amazed viewers were Bazzell, who’s no stranger to elite basketball talent, and Lunar Owls teammate Dearica Hamby. Hamby, currently running with the “Vinyl Basketball Club” alongside Aliyah Boston and Arike Ogunbowale, didn’t mince words. Her comment practically screamed, “Game. Over.”
But Diggins-Smith’s deadly handles aren’t just for show. She’s fresh off a stellar season with the Seattle Storm, where she averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 assists, and a knack for making defenders look silly. Now, the Lunar Owls are banking on her to make history in Unrivaled’s inaugural game on January 17, where they’ll face the “Mist” at 7:00 PM ET.
A Family Affair for the Colliers
Meanwhile, Napheesa Collier has been basking in the glow of Unrivaled’s media day. Her Instagram update gave fans a peek behind the scenes, featuring everything from team photos to a heartwarming family shot with Bazzell and their daughter, Mila. Naturally, Bazzell’s comment game was on point, hitting the post with a string of heart-eyed emojis. Subtle, Alex. Very subtle.
For those unfamiliar with their love story, it’s a college romance straight out of a basketball fairy tale. Collier met Bazzell during her UConn days, where he was eventually brought on as a trainer. Fast forward to 2019, the couple got engaged, welcomed Mila two years later, and tied the knot in 2022. Somewhere in the midst of their basketball careers and family life, they also found time to co-launch Unrivaled—a league that’s already shaking up women’s sports.
The Lunar Owls: Ready to Soar or Crash Land?
As Unrivaled’s opening night approaches, all eyes are on the Lunar Owls. Diggins-Smith’s viral moment might be a warning shot to the rest of the league, but the pressure is on. Will this star-studded squad deliver on the hype, or will they crumble under the weight of their own expectations?
Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: if the Lunar Owls’ opponents didn’t have their ankles insured before, they might want to reconsider. And as for that poor trainer? Somebody get him an ice pack and a sense of dignity—he’s going to need both.