For many college basketball stars, dreams came true in the 2024 WNBA draft. This was the story for the 2x Big East Defensive Player of the Year Nika Muhl as well. The Croatian-born point guard couldn’t get a hold of her emotions as soon as she was drafted by the Seattle Storm, incidentally the same franchise that drafted UConn icon Sue Bird. She expressed something similar in her recent social media address to her fans.

Being the No. 14 pick overall, Muhl headlined the second-round picks for the evening. The all-time assist leader at UConn was clearly ecstatic and looking forward to being a part of the Seattle roster. Soon after, she penned it down on her official Instagram page. “A surreal night filled with moments I will never forget, and I got to share it with people I love the most. Whether they were at my table, in the audience, in Connecticut or all the way in Croatia – I felt your love and my heart is full because of you. Family forever. @seattlestorm, I’m ready.” 

Muhl was one of the most entrusted ballers for Geno Auriemma throughout the season. Not only was she an outstanding defensive option, but also had the ability to handle the offensive responsibilities. Consequently, this deemed her a worthy pick for any of the current franchises in the WNBA. Moreover, after Sue Bird in 2002, she became the first Husky player to represent Seattle in the professional league. Talk about following in the footsteps of greats!

Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn further elaborated on this.

Noelle Quinn glad with the inclusion of Nika Muhl

Eying Muhl after the first-round picks, Quinn was elated as the team management decided to make her a part of the team. In an interview afterward, she said, “Her versatility sticks out to us. Her ability to stretch the floor, being a 40% three-point shooter and her size. You saw what she did defending multiple star players in the postseason.”

Clearly, the addition of Muhl can prove to be a masterstroke for the Storm. Her overall talent and specific skill set can come in handy and further its chances to lift the championship for the first time since 2020. It will be interesting to see if they can utilize her true potential or not.

She will join a struggling Seattle roster that finished 2nd last year with an 11-29 record. Despite this, their first pick in the draft only came in the second round as they had traded their pick (which turned out to be the 4th pick) to the LA Sparks. But this was to be expected after the departures of Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. Muhl will be tasked to lead the franchise to the next era.