Phee had Minnesota basketball fans smiling with glee in 2019.
After what could be considered a down 2018 for the Lynx, Napheesa Collier led what could be the beginning of a youth movement in the Twin Cities. Collier played a major role in the Lynx’s 2019 season – one where they made the playoffs – and was named 2019 Rookie of the Year in what was a two-way contest between her and the Dallas Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale.
At the Minnesota Sports Awards presented by Fox Sports North, Collier was named Minnesota Professional Athlete of the Year. Previous recipients of the Professional Athlete of the Year award include Sylvia Fowles in 2017 and Lindsay Whalen in 2018.
Collier shot 49 percent from the field, 36% from 3-point range and shot nearly 80% from the free throw line in 2019. She also became the fourth player in WNBA history to conclude a season with at least 400 points, 200 rebounds, 75 assists, 50 steals, 25 blocks and 25 made threes. The others that have reached that plateau are Sheryl Swoopes, Tamika Catchings and Maya Moore. Rarefied air, indeed.
Your Minnesota Professional Athlete of the Year 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/emIBMY4oW6
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) December 12, 2019
A couple other familiar faces made an appearance at the Minnesota Sports Awards tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/lNFMXvyfjd
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) December 12, 2019
Congratulations @PHEEsespieces on winning Minnesota Professional Athlete of the Year. pic.twitter.com/MtuVF4y9Xu
— Jessica Shepard (@JShepard32) December 12, 2019
Fowles was honored after a 2017 season where she won regular season MVP and WNBA Finals MVP. Whalen’s came after her final season with the Lynx before retiring and entering the college coaching ranks with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
