UConn in the WNBA: Collier On Top of the Rookie Class After One Month

Since opening night, Napheesa Collier has been making the transition to the WNBA look easy. Now, a full month into the 2019 season, she has established herself as a key part of the Minnesota Lynx’s starting lineup.

In fact, at 32.4 minutes per game, Collier is spending more time on the floor than any of her teammates. She also ranks among the top three on the Lynx’s roster in virtually every stat, excluding assists per game.

While she’s been finding her place in Minnesota, she’s also been separating herself from the rest of her rookie class. She has emerged as the clear favorite so far to be named the 2019 Rookie of the Year.

Collier’s 32 minutes per game are also the most of her rookie counterparts. Even more impressive, however, is the production she has had with those minutes.

Among all rookies, the former Husky sits at the top of the rankings for total points (135), field goals made (46), three pointers made (11) and steals (19). She also ranks second in total rebounds (57) and blocks (11). The only category we haven’t mentioned? Assists - and she ranks third among all rookies with 22 on the season.

Collier is still scoring the ball with incredible efficiency, as well. So far, she is averaging 1.20 points per scoring attempt, which is not far below her UConn number. Her 1.2 points per attempt is also the second best among all rookies and ranks in the top 20 in the league (for players with more than 10 field goal attempts).

Not unlike her college days, where she led all Naismith award finalists in win shares her senior year, Collier has also accumulated the most win shares of any rookie so far. At 1.5 win shares, she also ranks seventh overall in the league.

If Collier continues or exceeds her current level of play for the remainder of the season, the Rookie of the Year award will be hers to lose.