In an unprecedented event held in Medley, Florida, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx etched her name in women's basketball history by claiming a $200,000 prize in the Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament finale. Collier's victory over Aaliyah Edwards, from the Washington Mystics, signified the largest one-day payout in the sport, as confirmed by Unrivaled commissioner Micky Lawler. This significant achievement was a vision shared by Collier and fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart when they co-founded the league, aiming to elevate the financial prospects for players.
The Unrivaled league offers WNBA players an innovative platform to compete stateside, presenting an attractive alternative to the conventional offseason spent abroad for additional income. Players in the eight-week series can earn upwards of $220,000, nearly rivaling the WNBA’s highest base salary, thus creating a significant incentive to stay domestic.
Reflecting on her win, Collier expressed astonishment at achieving her entire WNBA salary with just 30 minutes of play, a sentiment echoed among many who might otherwise spend months overseas to earn comparable sums.
Collier, entering as the top seed in the 30-player bracket, displayed dominance by securing a 2-1 win against her eighth-seeded counterpart, Edwards — also a former UConn standout. The final saw Edwards take the opening game before Collier rallied to win the subsequent two, triumphantly concluding the championship.
The tournament featured games up to a score of 8, with each basket being worth two or three points. Collier's five teammates each benefited with $10,000, as part of a $350,000 total prize pool. Edwards, as the runner-up, walked away with $50,000.
Collier’s triumph was a testament to her skill and endurance, as she led the league’s Lunar Owls and emerged as Unrivaled's leading scorer with an impressive 29.3 points per game. En route to the final, she overwhelmed ex-teammate Azura Stevens in the semifinals with a commanding 11-2 victory.
After breezing past Katie Lou Samuelson in the first round and surviving a physical matchup against Rickea Jackson, Collier defeated her Lynx and Lunar Owls teammate, Courtney Williams, to set up the decisive face-off with Edwards.
Edwards, representing the Mist, reached the final by dismantling top-seeds, notably overpowering Arike Ogunbowale 11-2 in her semifinal run. Her impressive display, which included silencing Breanna Stewart and Allisha Gray, highlighted her as a formidable opponent.
Both Ogunbowale and Stevens received $25,000 for their semifinal positions. Each round leading to the finals operated under single-elimination rules with games scored up to 11, adhering to traditional point regulations.
As a rising star at 22 years old, Edwards showcased her relentless drive, proving her credentials for the upcoming Mystics season. Her pride in the personal and public display of hard work underscored her journey, emphasizing resistance against underestimation.
The tournament, while grueling for participants, showcased the potential for the format’s expansion to male counterparts, as Collier illustrated interest in a similar event for NBA players. The commitment and valor demonstrated were applauded by all involved, signaling a promising future for women's basketball as it adapts and innovates its competitive framework.
