Nafeesa Collier, the defending MVP and 1-on-1 tournament champion of Unrivaled, will be out of action for four to six months following surgery on both ankles. As a result, she will miss the second season of the 3×3 league she helped establish. During Unrivaled’s media day in mid-December, Collier, who serves as the captain of the Lunar Owls, shared optimism about her rehabilitation and hoped to return early in the season despite still working toward full recovery.
However, medical evaluations revealed her progress was insufficient, necessitating surgery on both ankles. Collier initially sprained her right ankle on August 2nd during the Minnesota Lynx’s historic win against the Las Vegas Aces. Later, in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, she suffered tears in three ligaments of her left ankle, causing her to miss the crucial Game 4 loss for the Lynx.
On Instagram, Collier posted:
“I am heartbroken to share that I will be missing this Unrivaled season. I’ve been fighting hard to rejoin my Owls over the past few months and was shocked when doctors advised surgery as the best option. I’ll keep supporting my teammates and work tirelessly with the players and staff to advance our sport and elevate women’s basketball. I’m eager to come back stronger as soon as possible and pick up where I left off. Until then, that’s what it is and always will be…HootieHoooooo!”
Collier is the second high-profile player to miss Unrivaled’s Season 2, with Phantoms member Sato Sabally sidelined indefinitely due to ongoing concussion symptoms from Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Temi Fagbenle of the Golden State Valkyries will take Collier’s place on the Lunar Owls roster.
Fan Take: This setback for Collier is a tough blow for both her and Unrivaled fans, as she is a cornerstone of the league’s appeal. Her injury highlights the physical demands of the sport but also underscores the resilience and depth of talent in women’s basketball, promising an exciting and competitive season ahead despite the challenges.
