In a shocking turn of events that has rocked the WNBA community, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, was hospitalized with severe injuries following an armed burglary at the couple’s upscale Minneapolis-area residence early Tuesday morning. The incident, described by authorities as a brazen home invasion, has left fans and fellow players reeling, coming just weeks after Collier’s own heartbreaking season-ending ankle injury in the playoffs.
According to multiple reports from local law enforcement and eyewitness accounts, three masked intruders—armed with handguns and rifles—breached the home around 2:15 a.m. The custom-designed property, which boasts an indoor basketball court and golf simulator tailored to the couple’s athletic lifestyle, was targeted in what police suspect was a premeditated robbery aimed at high-value items like jewelry and sports memorabilia. Bazzell, 35, the president of the innovative 3-on-3 league Unrivaled (co-founded with Collier and New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart), heroically intervened when the burglars confronted Collier and their 3-year-old daughter, Mila.
Eyewitnesses from neighboring homes reported hearing shouts and gunfire—later confirmed as warning shots fired into the ceiling by one intruder. Bazzell sustained critical wounds, including a gunshot to the shoulder and severe blunt trauma from a physical altercation. He underwent emergency surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center, where doctors described his condition as “stable but serious,” with potential long-term impacts on his mobility. “Alex fought like a lion to protect his family,” a close friend told reporters outside the hospital. “He’s a trainer at heart—always preparing for the worst, but nothing prepares you for this.”
Collier, 29, who was named the 2025 WNBA MVP runner-up before her devastating right ankle fracture in Game 3 of the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, was unharmed but visibly distraught. The injury, which involved torn ligaments and shin muscles, sidelined her for the remainder of the Lynx’s playoff run and sparked widespread criticism of league officiating. Just last month, Collier publicly lambasted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for “tone-deaf” leadership during heated CBA negotiations, even revealing ignored calls from her agent post-injury. Sources close to the family say the burglary has compounded the emotional toll, with Collier postponing Unrivaled commitments to focus on recovery.
The Lynx organization issued a statement of support: “Our hearts are with Napheesa, Alex, and Mila during this unimaginable ordeal. Napheesa embodies resilience on and off the court, and we’re here for her family.” Teammates, including Courtney Williams, rallied outside the home, organizing a prayer vigil. WNBA stars like Stewart and A’ja Wilson flooded social media with messages of solidarity, trending #PrayForBazzell nationwide.
Investigators recovered a getaway vehicle abandoned nearby, containing stolen goods valued at over $50,000, including Collier’s Olympic gold medals from Tokyo and Paris. No arrests have been made, but police believe the crew may be linked to a string of athlete-targeted burglaries in the Twin Cities, fueled by social media posts flaunting luxury lifestyles. Enhanced security patrols have been deployed around team facilities.
As the investigation unfolds, Collier’s inner circle emphasizes her strength: a UConn alumna, two-time Olympian, and advocate for women’s sports equity through Unrivaled, which promises “generational wealth” for players. Bazzell’s role in the league—handling operations while training elite athletes—has made him a rising figure, but this tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities of fame. For now, the Collier-Bazzell family draws on their unyielding bond, forged in basketball and parenthood, to navigate the darkness. Recovery will be a team effort, one rebound at a time.
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