“We're doing boho, of course. I want to get a little curl in there.”
It's days before the start of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, and Napheesa Collier is getting her hair braided on the other side of the Zoom screen—while also speaking to Vogue and tending to her 3-year-old daughter, Mila, who is audibly requesting her attention. The impressive juggling act is par for the course for Collier, who in addition to being a wife, mother, and star forward on the Minnesota Lynx, is vice president of the WNBA Players Association and cofounder the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league with her former UConn teammate Breanna Stewart. All-Star Weekend is another engagement on her busy schedule, though one she looks forward to.
“It's something that I still appreciate every year,” says Collier, who has been selected for the All-Star game five times, and got word that she was named a 2025 captain while in the Lynx locker room. (Mila delivered the news via scooter, wearing shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Mama you're a All-Star”) “It's always fun to be recognized in that way and especially with my teammates there,” Collier continues. “I definitely wouldn't be here without them.”
It was past and present teammates—as well as UConn alums—that Collier favored during the draft that saw her and fellow captain-slash-Indiana-Fever-star Caitlin Clark build their All-Star teams. Former UConn standouts Stewart and Paige Bueckers were selected for Team Collier, as were Collier's Unrivaled teammates Skylar Diggins-Smith and Allisha Gray, and her Lynx teammate Courtney Williams. “That was really fun,” says Collier.
Though winning was very much on the brain as Collier prepped to face Team Clark, with a whirl of events on her calendar, she gave ample thought to fashion, too. “Last year was the first year that I started working with a stylist, and we were experimenting a lot—trying different looks, trying to find what my style is,” Collier says. “This year I feel like I've grown into it a little bit more. I really like elevating more classic looks and making those into my own. I like a little bit of an edgier look [and] I definitely like darker colors.”
The custom and curated pieces Collier was packing for Indianapolis when we spoke are a far cry from what she brought to her first All-Star Weekend in 2019. “I just went to Express the day before,” she says. “Now, of course, it's so different. Fashion is so huge in the league; it's really fun to see that part grow.” Also fun? Watching the fandom of women's basketball reach an all-time high. “Obviously Caitlin is a huge part of that, so having [WNBA All-Star Weekend] in Indiana, I think it's going to be a huge turn out."
She was correct.
Ahead, a behind-the-scenes look at Napheesa Collier's 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Photo: Kara Spierto1/21On the plane with my Lynx family. Indy here we come!
Photo: Kara Spierto2/21This cookie cake was waiting for me in my room when I checked in. It was the perfect post-plane snack.
Photo: Kara Spierto3/21Heading to the collectsive bargaining meeting. The WNBA Players Association is in the middle of negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the league. As players, we are standing firm on creating a new system that allows us to better participate in the revenue that we are generating for the league.
Photo: Kara Spierto4/21My glam look for the orange carpet was a smokey, sultry look to match my outfit. With makeup I like to play up my eyes and then let the skin and lips be a little more natural.
Photo: Kara Spierto5/21Final glam look!
Photo: Kara Spierto6/21The vet move to pack up on snacks and water in your hotel room before the weekend begins. Always be prepared!
Photo: Kara Spierto7/21Gifting is a big part of All-Star Weekend. I'm a Jordan Brand athlete and they gave me these un-released Travis Scott's and a custom bracelet.
Photo: Kara Spierto8/21I tend to like things that are classic but with a little edge. I'm not afraid to show a little skin or add an extra sparkle.
Photo: Kara Spierto9/21This was a custom outfit. I found the material and knew I wanted to use it for All-Star. I worked with designer Mwaiko Barnabas who also made my dress for the TIME 100 gala. My stylist, Kimberly Steward, paired the look with a necklace and bracelet from Celina Ciria Cruze Fine Cheap Replica Handbags and earrings from Statement Boutique.
Photo: Kara Spierto10/21Ran into my teammates Courtney Williams and Natasha Hiedeman con my way to the orange carpet. They were live streaming the entire All-Star Weekend. Make sure you check out the StudBudz!
Photo: Kara Spierto11/21Backstage at Good Morning America with Robin Roberts and Stewie. Early morning but a dream come true!
Photo: Kara Spierto12/21So many car rides…
Photo: Kara Spierto13/21Content shoot with Jordan Brand.
Photo: Kara Spierto14/21No quiet minutes. And in Indy, everything is close by so the car rides aren't really long enough to get some rest in between appearances.
Photo: Kara Spierto15/21I love the moments where we get to interact with our fans.
Photo: Kara Spierto16/21Shout out to Firehouse Subs. I love you. You are my every pre-game meal!
Photo: Kara Spierto17/21Packing everything up to get it home is always a little bit of a task.
Photo: Kara Spierto18/21Green rooms aren't always the most glamorous but it's nice to just have a minute to sit down. It doesn't happen a lot this weekend.
Photo: Kara Spierto19/21The fan turnout was so awesome!
Photo: Courtesy of Unrivaled20/21My husband Alex is the president of Unrivaled. It's really fun to work and build something together.
Photo: Kara Spierto21/21Loved having my family here—especially since Team Collier won and I was named All-Star MVP!
