Napheesa Collier

He's pretty positive. He's like, let's just see what, you know, the doctors say, see what the therapists say. And, you know, obviously I'm trying to keep that mindset as well, but it's scary. And I just knew, like, I cannot play if I feel like this. And that's like saying a lot.

He's pretty positive. He's like, let's just see what, you know, the doctors say, see what the therapists say. And, you know, obviously I'm trying to keep that mindset as well, but it's scary. And I just knew, like, I cannot play if I feel like this. And that's like saying a lot.

So I try to do it like one step at a time, like him and my trainer from Minnesota were saying, like, let's just see what the therapists say. Let's just do this rehab and try to push through as much as we can.

So I try to do it like one step at a time, like him and my trainer from Minnesota were saying, like, let's just see what the therapists say. Let's just do this rehab and try to push through as much as we can.

It's hard because they're so different. I mean, the UConn one is hard because you're doubting yourself so much and your abilities. And that is something... Once you go mentally, it's so hard to come back from that. So I'd actually say that one was probably harder because I'm lucky that I am mentally tough and was able to... It made me stronger.

It's hard because they're so different. I mean, the UConn one is hard because you're doubting yourself so much and your abilities. And that is something... Once you go mentally, it's so hard to come back from that. So I'd actually say that one was probably harder because I'm lucky that I am mentally tough and was able to... It made me stronger.

But if that's something that breaks you, I mean, you see it so many times. Like... Sports is 80% mental. So that was probably a worse feeling. This one was like, I'm going to give it my best shot. Like mentally, I know I'm tough enough. It's just, is my body going to let me do it? So that's scary from that sense. But at least I know I'm doing everything that I can.

But if that's something that breaks you, I mean, you see it so many times. Like... Sports is 80% mental. So that was probably a worse feeling. This one was like, I'm going to give it my best shot. Like mentally, I know I'm tough enough. It's just, is my body going to let me do it? So that's scary from that sense. But at least I know I'm doing everything that I can.

The other one, you feel like you're failing yourself mentally. And that to me is a worse feeling.

The other one, you feel like you're failing yourself mentally. And that to me is a worse feeling.

Yeah, that one's really tough because everyone, especially at UConn, you're the best from where you come from. I had not had really any adversity basketball wise. Like I always played older. I was always the best team, even when the best player, even when I played older, you know, my experience. TN1 State three years in a row in high school. Like I was always the best player.

Yeah, that one's really tough because everyone, especially at UConn, you're the best from where you come from. I had not had really any adversity basketball wise. Like I always played older. I was always the best team, even when the best player, even when I played older, you know, my experience. TN1 State three years in a row in high school. Like I was always the best player.

And then you get to UConn, you're the worst player. They think you're the stupidest player. Like you can't do anything right. So that's, I mean, it's so hard. You're weak. I'd never lifted before. You don't know any of the plays. There's a whole new style about, you are learning a whole new style of basketball. We would have, I kind of compare it to an outline of a circle with nothing filled in.

And then you get to UConn, you're the worst player. They think you're the stupidest player. Like you can't do anything right. So that's, I mean, it's so hard. You're weak. I'd never lifted before. You don't know any of the plays. There's a whole new style about, you are learning a whole new style of basketball. We would have, I kind of compare it to an outline of a circle with nothing filled in.

So he'll give you an idea of what he wants, and then you have to play and make reads and be a smart basketball player. Learning how to do that is really hard if it's something you've never done before. And you have that with the pressure of the best player in the world as your senior, the best coach in the world, you know, nitpicking everything that you're doing. And so it's really hard.

So he'll give you an idea of what he wants, and then you have to play and make reads and be a smart basketball player. Learning how to do that is really hard if it's something you've never done before. And you have that with the pressure of the best player in the world as your senior, the best coach in the world, you know, nitpicking everything that you're doing. And so it's really hard.

I mean, it would be like... to a point where I didn't even want to be on the floor because I was so scared I was going to mess up or that I wasn't going to know the play or something of that was going to happen. So it definitely took my joy away from basketball for a little bit. But I just had to come to a point where, again, you have to sink or swim. I know that I got here for a reason.

I mean, it would be like... to a point where I didn't even want to be on the floor because I was so scared I was going to mess up or that I wasn't going to know the play or something of that was going to happen. So it definitely took my joy away from basketball for a little bit. But I just had to come to a point where, again, you have to sink or swim. I know that I got here for a reason.

If he's going to do that, okay, like I said, I'm going to work as hard as I can during the summer so I never feel this way again.

If he's going to do that, okay, like I said, I'm going to work as hard as I can during the summer so I never feel this way again.