Minnesota Lynx starreconnects with longtime friend Franklin Jones Jr., creating a viral moment through ASL

The WNBA Finals have been filled with intense action, and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier continues to be at the center of it all. After leading her team in a critical victory, Collier didn’t just walk off the court to celebrate with her teammates. Instead, she took a moment to engage with her supporters in a heartwarming display of humility and connection.

The WNBA has long prided itself on player accessibility, and Collier demonstrated this in the purest form by interacting with fans after the game. It wasn’t just any ordinary post-game interaction; this one had deeper significance. Collier, known for her leadership on and off the court, was about to make an unforgettable connection with a long-time friend and fan-Franklin Jones Jr., a member of the Deaf community.

Napheesa Collier chats with deaf fan

Jones, an American Sign Language (ASL) advocate and former graduate student, has known Collier for several years. Their connection dates back to an internship at the University of Connecticut, where Jones, pursuing his Master’s in American Sign Language Education (MASLED), first met the basketball star. At the time, Collier was just another student-athlete navigating her college career, but a chance meeting between the two sparked an unlikely friendship.

Jones explained in a recent interview that he didn’t know much about Collier at the time, other than her status as a highly regarded UConn basketball player. Despite that, Jones approached her, and they struck up a conversation about basketball. In true competitive fashion, Jones even challenged her to a one-on-one game. Their bond grew from there, with Collier learning more about ASL and the Deaf community, deepening their connection.

Collier and Jones reunite, sparking another viral moment in the WNBA Finals

Fast forward to the present, after the Lynx’s recent game against the Connecticut Sun, and the pair reunited, sparking another viral moment. This wasn’t their first high-profile interaction either. A previous video of the two communicating in ASL before a Lynx game had already caught the attention of social media, particularly among the Deaf community.

After her standout performance in the game, Collier signed autographs for fans before making her way over to Jones. The video of the two catching up after the game has once again taken social media by storm, with ASL users praising the interaction as a powerful moment of representation and inclusion.

For Collier, it’s just part of the culture she wants to build within the WNBA-one that embraces diversity and shows the importance of communication beyond spoken words. And for Jones, it’s a testament to the enduring friendship they’ve maintained, despite the spotlight of professional sports.

Their bond has transcended basketball, and in moments like this, it’s clear that Collier’s impact goes far beyond the court.