Napheesa Collier
๐ค SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Honestly, I don't think so. I'm really big on everything happens for a reason. So it's hard to have a lot of regrets that way. Even with like, I believe I'm the best player and I went six to Minnesota. Like to me, I was like, what are you guys saying? Because I think I'm the best player. But I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now if I never ended up in Minnesota.
Honestly, I don't think so. I'm really big on everything happens for a reason. So it's hard to have a lot of regrets that way. Even with like, I believe I'm the best player and I went six to Minnesota. Like to me, I was like, what are you guys saying? Because I think I'm the best player. But I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now if I never ended up in Minnesota.
It was the perfect place for me to be. So when everything turns out well like that, it's hard to have any regrets.
It was the perfect place for me to be. So when everything turns out well like that, it's hard to have any regrets.
Again, my parents, like I had such a great foundation. They were such are such hard workers and everything that they do. And they just teach you to be thankful for what you have. Like my dad would always say, if you put all your problems and everyone else's problems in a pot, you would grab yours back. And I feel like that is such a.
Again, my parents, like I had such a great foundation. They were such are such hard workers and everything that they do. And they just teach you to be thankful for what you have. Like my dad would always say, if you put all your problems and everyone else's problems in a pot, you would grab yours back. And I feel like that is such a.
such a good approach because you never know what other people are going through. And if you had to choose, you would choose your problems over someone else's. You don't know what's happening in their lives.
such a good approach because you never know what other people are going through. And if you had to choose, you would choose your problems over someone else's. You don't know what's happening in their lives.
Well, I mean, my mom grew up on a dairy farm in Missouri. My parents are total opposites. My dad grew up in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He came over during the war over there. And they met, like my mom was in nursing school.
Well, I mean, my mom grew up on a dairy farm in Missouri. My parents are total opposites. My dad grew up in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He came over during the war over there. And they met, like my mom was in nursing school.
and so she was working at a nursing home trying to get her hours up my dad was the only place they would hire like black people in that town at the time was a nursing home so just the way that they worked there and then just worked so hard to support me and my brother um never complained a day in their life about going to work or supporting us or all the things that came with both of us playing sports the money that that requires to travel like they did not have lives of their own i'm realizing now like as i grow up i'm like this is so fun we get to travel all the time but
and so she was working at a nursing home trying to get her hours up my dad was the only place they would hire like black people in that town at the time was a nursing home so just the way that they worked there and then just worked so hard to support me and my brother um never complained a day in their life about going to work or supporting us or all the things that came with both of us playing sports the money that that requires to travel like they did not have lives of their own i'm realizing now like as i grow up i'm like this is so fun we get to travel all the time but
They never got time to themselves and just the sacrifice that they made without once telling us about it or making us feel like they were sacrificing. It just shows you like the kind of parents and people that they are. I'm super grateful that I had them.
They never got time to themselves and just the sacrifice that they made without once telling us about it or making us feel like they were sacrificing. It just shows you like the kind of parents and people that they are. I'm super grateful that I had them.
Um, growing up.
Um, growing up.
Yeah. There was, I mean, of course, like, you know, we grew up in a super like white town. My dad's African. So, you know, going to school, just feeling so different. Like, I think one of my first memories from kindergarten was, um, it was like a K through 12 school and I was the only black person in the whole school.
Yeah. There was, I mean, of course, like, you know, we grew up in a super like white town. My dad's African. So, you know, going to school, just feeling so different. Like, I think one of my first memories from kindergarten was, um, it was like a K through 12 school and I was the only black person in the whole school.
And one of the little girls was like, oh, we can't play with you anymore because you're black and we're white. And that was the first time I ever heard that. So just from that moment on, I felt like I just really was conscious of that. I look different than everyone. So that's just hard growing up, you know.
And one of the little girls was like, oh, we can't play with you anymore because you're black and we're white. And that was the first time I ever heard that. So just from that moment on, I felt like I just really was conscious of that. I look different than everyone. So that's just hard growing up, you know.