While Everyone’s Focused on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier Is Quietly Crafting the Greatest Season in WNBA History
In a league bursting with talent, storylines, and rising stars, the WNBA’s spotlight has largely been claimed this season by two electrifying rookies: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Their college-to-pro transition, massive fanbases, and culture-shifting narratives have dominated headlines, social media, and TV ratings alike. But while the sports world remains locked on the flash and drama, something historic is unfolding in the background—something that deserves more than just quiet admiration.
Napheesa Collier, forward for the Minnesota Lynx, is quietly putting together what might be the greatest individual season in WNBA history—and she’s doing it with ruthless efficiency, underappreciated brilliance, and MVP-worthy dominance.
Unprecedented Numbers: 50/40/90… as the League’s Leading Scorer
Let’s get one thing clear: **no one—**not Lisa Leslie, not Diana Taurasi, not Maya Moore—has ever done what Napheesa Collier is doing right now through the first 11 games of a season.
26.1 points per game – leads the entire WNBA
53% field goal percentage – efficiency usually reserved for bigs close to the rim
44% from three-point range – elite sharpshooter territory
93% from the free throw line – almost automatic
This is the mythical 50/40/90 shooting split, long considered the gold standard of elite scoring efficiency in professional basketball—something even NBA legends rarely maintain. And Collier is doing it while carrying her team, drawing the toughest defensive assignments, and playing major minutes on both ends of the floor.
In the WNBA’s 28-year history, no player has posted such numbers through the first 11 games—not while also leading the league in scoring. The fact that this historic run isn’t plastered across every sports page is more than an oversight—it’s disrespectful.
Silent Greatness: How Did We Miss This?
The answer lies in a perfect storm of sports media trends, rookie hype cycles, and the casual fan’s obsession with drama over dominance.
Caitlin Clark, the record-smashing NCAA star, came into the league with more buzz than any WNBA player in history. Angel Reese, her college rival, followed with her own fire, edge, and media magnetism. Their every move has been dissected, celebrated, and sometimes criticized.
Meanwhile, Napheesa Collier—a 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and now MVP frontrunner—is quietly crushing the competition without the noise, without the gimmicks, and without the recognition.
She isn’t just putting up empty numbers. She’s leading the Lynx to wins, closing out games with dagger jumpers, and locking down elite scorers on defense. Her impact is tangible, her game complete, her performance historic.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about stats—it’s about respect. About how greatness is defined. About how narratives are written in real time, sometimes missing the true stars in favor of the louder ones.
Napheesa Collier’s 2024 season is a masterclass in efficiency, leadership, and basketball brilliance. She’s redefining what a franchise cornerstone looks like. And she’s doing it at a time when women’s basketball is finally capturing a wider audience.
But if fans and media truly care about the game, not just the hype, then Napheesa Collier’s name should be in every MVP conversation. Her face should be on every highlight reel. Her stats should be shouted from every sports desk.
Because if she keeps this up—and there’s no sign she won’t—then we’re not just witnessing the best season of 2024. We’re witnessing one of the greatest runs the WNBA has ever seen.
