Meet Napheesa Collier’s Grandfather Gershon – A Freedom Fighter For Sierra Leone Who Also Was a a United Nations Ambassador

“She came. She saw. She conquered.” These lines fit well when one refers to Napheesa Collier. Collier has been instrumental in helping the Minnesota Lynx win games throughout this season. At present, she averages a whopping 20.9 points per game with 10.4 rebounds per game. Therefore, her double-double average has not only uplifted the team but also showed them a way to glory. While there is much talk about Collier, let’s not forget that she is not the only overachiever in her family.

Her grandfather Gershon Collier had much before Napheesa’s emergence made a name for himself during his professional years. It would come as a surprise to many but Gershon was a Sierra Leone revolutionary. He was no ordinary man, helping Leone gain its freedom from Britain in 1961. Today. Essentially Sports takes a look at the man, the myth, and everything around him.

Who was Gershon Collier?

By profession, Gershon was a lawyer. He was a representative of the Sierra Leone Creole people and was called to the Bar in London. Gershon, throughout his career, continued to fight his battle lawfully. He came forward to pledge his allegiance to Albert Margai who was the second prime minister of Sierra Leone. Margai left the Sierra Leone’s People’s Party taking away Gershon with him.

Gershon at that time stood up for what was right and helped Margai. Therefore, he also made it to the executive committee of the People’s National Party. For his incredible work with the Sierra Leone people and for championing a cause, Gershon was selected as the representative of his people at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

And certainly, such a great position came with more contacts and acclaim. He also got in touch with the Egyptian military officer Gamal Abdel Nasser who was the second President of Egypt. Notably, Gershon’s ties helped him scale new heights throughout his career.

Gershon made a name for himself with high office holders

Gershon named his son Gamal and made Nasser the godparent of his child. It was Gamal Collier who is the fathered Napheesa. Margai was in close relations with Gershon since the latter had voiced his support for him when he left the party in 1958. Around 1967, Margai arranged for his nomination as the chief justice of Sierra Leone. But as is the case, all good things come to an end.

Gershon suffered a setback when Margai lost the elections in 1967. It was then that Gershon too had to leave his coveted post. Nonetheless, by then, Gershon had already proven to the world that he was a man of honor and high prestige. Gershon then took his next step of moving to the USA’s New York where he taught at the New York University. He had 2 children and by 1994 when he passed away; he was living a happy familial life.

Unfortunately, Gershon could not see Napheesa as he passed away 2 years before her birth. Nonetheless, Gamal (Gershon’s son) always inculcated positive qualities in Napheesa, who has been upholding the family name just like her grandfather, albeit in a different field. Her upbringing and family only demonstrate how she got that fighter spirit in her and, hopefully, in the years to come, she will continue to perform exceptionally well.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.