Napheesa Collier’s love story with Alex Bazzell is as compelling as her on-court dominance. The two first crossed paths when Collier was still in high school, but it wasn’t until her freshman year at the University of Connecticut that their relationship truly took shape.
Bazzell, a former basketball player turned elite trainer, initially worked with Collier as her skills coach. By her junior year, their professional bond evolved into a romantic one, and in October 2019, after years of dating, Alex proposed. They sealed their love with a wedding on October 7, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri, just months after the birth of their daughter.
Who Is Napheesa Collier’s Husband, Alex Bazzell? The Couple Welcomed a Daughter Prior to Their Married Life
Alex Bazzell, born on April 20, 1990, in St. Charles, Missouri, is not just a coach but a visionary in the basketball world. At 34 years old, he has built a reputation as one of the most sought-after NBA and WNBA trainers, working with superstars like Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving, and Trae Young. His passion for player development was deeply influenced by Kobe Bryant, with whom he worked closely from 2018 to 2020, including training Kobe’s daughter, Gigi.
Beyond his training career, Bazzell co-founded Through the Lens, a tech platform aimed at helping athletes expand their personal brands. He is also the President of Unrivaled Basketball, a groundbreaking league co-founded by his wife and WNBA star Breanna Stewart, providing an alternative offseason opportunity for women’s basketball players.
Napheesa Collier and her husband Alex Bazzell’s journey into parenthood began on May 25, 2022, when they welcomed their daughter, Mila Sarah Bazzell. The birth of Mila was a life-changing moment for the couple, marking the start of a new chapter filled with both joy and the challenges of balancing professional sports with parenthood.
Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier is a mom, 3x WNBA All-Star and now co-owner of a women’s basketball league 🤩
She spoke about her new business venture and more with LaChina Robinson on “Off Day.” pic.twitter.com/yjmKZV3vmc
— espnW (@espnW) July 22, 2023
Mila, now two years old, is growing up in a household where basketball is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. From an early age, she has been surrounded by elite athletes, many of whom train with her father and play alongside her mother. Collier has spoken about how excited she is for Mila to grow up in an environment where strong, successful women are the norm, with her WNBA teammates playing the role of honorary aunts.
Balancing motherhood and a thriving basketball career has been no small feat for Napheesa Collier. In 2024, she put up one of the best seasons of her career, averaging 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while leading the Minnesota Lynx to the WNBA Finals. She made history by scoring a record-breaking 285 points in the postseason, surpassing Diana Taurasi’s previous record.
Her ability to juggle these responsibilities has been made possible with the unwavering support of her husband. Bazzell has taken on a significant share of parenting duties, ensuring that Collier can focus on training and competing at the highest level. The couple has also had help from Collier’s father, who has been a constant presence in their lives, even maintaining an apartment in their building to be closer to Mila.
Beyond her on-court success, Collier is a co-founder of Unrivaled Basketball, a new women’s 3×3 league launched with Breanna Stewart, which offers WNBA players a well-paying offseason alternative to playing overseas. This initiative aims to bridge the pay gap and create better career sustainability for women’s basketball athletes.
Recently, Napheesa Collier won the inaugural Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament, earning $200,000 in prize money, the largest single-day payout in women’s basketball history. Her performance in the tournament was nothing short of dominant, securing victories over elite competitors and solidifying her legacy as one of the top players in the sport.
NAPHEESA COLLIER WINS THE UNRIVALED 1-ON-1 CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆
FIRST EVER WINNER 👑 pic.twitter.com/WvIesKFYYZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 15, 2025
As a power couple in the basketball world, Napheesa Collier and her husband Alex Bazzell continue to make strides both on and off the court. While Collier dominates the WNBA and pioneers a new era for women’s sports through Unrivaled Basketball, Bazzell remains instrumental in shaping the next generation of basketball talent. Their shared vision for the future of the game extends beyond their individual careers, as they work together to elevate opportunities for women in sports.
