When TIME Magazine dropped its annual TIME 100 list in 2025, featuring the most influential people in the world, two names stood out like buzzer-beaters in overtime: Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Not just because they’re elite hoopers with resumes longer than a CVS receipt, but because they’re architects of the future of women’s sports.
Their inclusion wasn’t just about stat sheets or championships. It was about how they’re flipping the script, creating opportunities for women in basketball to thrive—year-round. Together, they co-founded Unrivaled, a first-of-its-kind women’s basketball league launching in 2025, proving they’re just as dominant off the court as they are on it.
So let’s rewind. Because to understand why Collier and Stewart earned a spot on one of the world’s most exclusive lists, you have to trace their journey—from AAU phenoms to WNBA pillars to cultural changemakers.
Napheesa Collier: From Small-Town Prodigy to Visionary Leader
Napheesa Collier’s story starts in O’Fallon, Missouri, where she first turned heads with her polished game and basketball IQ way beyond her years. Her AAU days with Team Missouri and the powerhouse St. Louis Eagles showcased her versatility—able to guard 1 through 5, shoot the midrange, and dominate the paint. College coaches took notice early.
Collier committed to UConn, aka the basketball mecca for women’s hoops, where she carved out a legacy under Coach Geno Auriemma. She was part of the Huskies’ 2016 national championship team and racked up accolades like AAC Player of the Year (2019) and First-Team All-American. She finished her UConn career as one of the top scorers and rebounders in school history—up there with the legends.
Drafted sixth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, Collier made an immediate impact. She won Rookie of the Year, earned an All-Star selection, and became the first rookie since 2014 to be named to the All-WNBA Second Team.
What makes Collier stand out isn’t just her box score. It’s her voice. She’s been a consistent advocate for Black women in sports, maternal rights (she returned to play just months after giving birth in 2022), and most recently—athlete ownership and empowerment.
That’s where Unrivaled enters the chat.
Breanna Stewart: Built for the Spotlight, Born to Lead
If Collier is the quiet storm, Breanna Stewart is the full-on thunderclap. Born in North Syracuse, New York, Stewart was a walking cheat code before she could even vote. Her AAU years with Team Empire and the Albany City Rocks showed off a 6’4” unicorn who could shoot threes, block shots, and run the floor like a guard.
She committed to UConn, and what followed was arguably the most dominant college career in women’s basketball history. Let’s run the receipts:
- 4x NCAA Champion
- 4x Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- 3x National Player of the Year
Yeah, that Breanna Stewart.
Drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in 2016, Stewart wasted no time putting the league on notice. She won WNBA Rookie of the Year, followed by MVP honors in 2018. That same year, she led the Storm to a championship and snagged Finals MVP.
Her career, however, hasn’t been without adversity. A devastating Achilles tear in 2019 sidelined her for an entire season, but Stewart bounced back like only legends do—helping Team USA win Olympic gold in Tokyo and winning another WNBA title in 2020.
Now playing for the New York Liberty, Stewart continues to evolve—both as a player and a business force. Her 2023 season was historic: she led the Liberty to the WNBA Finals, set career highs across the board, and won her second MVP award.
But like Collier, Stewart knows legacy isn’t just trophies—it’s about changing the game.
Building Unrivaled: A League By Players, For Players
The WNBA has made serious strides, but for decades, women players have had to go overseas in the offseason—chasing bigger checks and risking injury. That model wasn’t just unsustainable—it was unfair.
In response, Collier and Stewart launched Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3, full-court basketball league designed to give WNBA players the opportunity to compete domestically during the offseason—with equity, visibility, and community at the forefront.
Debuting on January 2025, the league already has 30+ WNBA stars committed, including names like Sabrina Ionescu, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Angel Reece. Instead of playing for clubs in Russia or Turkey, these athletes will now hoop in U.S. cities, under a player-led structure that prioritizes health, storytelling, and financial equity.
The plan? Think Hoop It Up meets Pro-Am, with top-tier talent and media access built in. Plus, Collier and Stewart aren’t just founders—they’re players too. That’s why TIME recognized them: they’re reshaping sports from the inside out.
TIME 100: More Than a List, It’s a Statement
For years, women in sports were seen but not heard. Collier and Stewart flipped that. Their inclusion on the TIME 100 list isn’t just a nod to their influence in basketball—it’s a recognition of how athlete activism is evolving.
They’re proof that you don’t have to wait until retirement to make moves behind the scenes. They’re building wealth, opportunity, and pathways for the next generation of girls who want to ball, lead, and own their futures.
The Legacy They’re Building
What makes this moment even more special is how these two players—who could’ve coasted on their accolades—chose the harder path. They didn’t just demand change. They built it.
Collier is still only in her 20s, juggling motherhood and pro basketball while running a startup league. Stewart is using her platform to push for paid family leave, equal pay, and LGBTQ+ rights in sports. Together, they’re creating a future where women don’t have to sacrifice one dream to pursue another.
Their stories echo far beyond the court. They’re a reminder that leadership doesn’t always come from the top—it comes from people who’ve lived the grind, who know what’s missing, and who aren’t afraid to build it themselves.
If you’re a hooper, a fan, or just someone who believes in rewriting the rules, Collier and Stewart’s inclusion in TIME 100 hits different. It’s a win not just for women’s basketball, but for every athlete dreaming bigger than the game.
They’re not waiting for seats at the table—they’re building their own arenas. And trust us, we’ll all be lining up courtside.