A Deeper Dive: What Seattle is getting in Nika Mühl

By Christan Braswell

Seattle, WA - Through the eyes of young women from all walks of life, WNBA legend Sue Bird was not human on the basketball court. Touting a storied career at every level, she was one of the standards that generations following molded their games after. Over 5,500 miles away in Zagreb, Croatia, with little to no access to the WNBA besides YouTube highlights, the same went for Seattle Storm rookie guard Nika Mühl. 

“I love Sue; I love her so much,” said Mühl on being a UConn guard selected by Seattle after Bird’s retirement. “I remember watching her as a kid and trying to mimic her moves. Being at UConn after her has been a big deal for me, a very humbling experience. She’s one of the greatest; having this opportunity again is a full-circle moment for me. I can’t believe it. I have no words for this. I’m just so blessed.”

The comparisons to Bird were aplenty throughout Mühl’s collegiate career at UConn. From donning the signature No. 10 jersey to operating the point, grit and pure determination enshrined their legacies in Storrs. When Mühl broke UConn’s single-season assists record in 2022-23, she eclipsed Bird's mark in 2001-02. Now, as the No. 14 overall pick (second pick in the second round) to Seattle in the 2024 WNBA Draft, their paths are forever intertwined. 

“I feel like we UConn players; we’re a family,” Mühl said of her relationship with Bird. “It doesn’t matter if you played 10, 20, or 30 years ago. If you play there now or will in the future, everyone is connected. The coaching staff does a great job of creating that family atmosphere and strong bond that will last forever. That’s how it is with Sue. She’s been to UConn so many times, whether for fun stuff, to watch our games, or to help us and give us advice. We all truly look up to her a lot.”

For decades, former Huskies have poured back into the program that catapulted their lives into furthering the position of women in sports. Bird saw Mühl from when she arrived on campus until it was time for her to leave and chase her dream of being a professional basketball player. 

“I honestly have no idea,” laughs Mühl about what jersey number she will wear. “That’s the last thing on my mind.”

It's no wonder she was still trying to process what happened. For most of her life, she believed reaching the WNBA was unobtainable. 

“I feel like this was something that I didn't even dare to dream about,” she said. “I always felt like it was such a reach. It was something far more beyond me and bigger than me. But luckily, I had people around me: my teammates, my friends, my family, my coaches, and everybody who made me believe in it, too.” This support was instrumental in her journey from Zagreb to New York City on draft night, mainly from head coach Geno Auriemma. 

In a video released on the UConn women’s social feed, Mühl shares a heartfelt goodbye with Auriemma before leaving for Seattle. She speaks about how he changed her life and how she wouldn’t be where she is without him and his impact. It’s important to note that out of all the offers Mühl received from stateside universities, Auriemma was the only coach to make the eight-hour-plus trek to Zagreb to meet her in person. For Mühl, his decision won her over and ultimately changed her life.

Mühl’s journey was not without its challenges, but she persevered with the unwavering support of her support system and loved ones. Being over six hours ahead of their daughter in Croatia, Mühl could only call her parents in the early mornings. Being so far away from her family for the first time in her life, she treasured these moments. Her story is a testament to the power of belief and determination.

All is not said and done yet. Mühl still has to make the roster out of training camp and stick after doing so. Seattle brought eight players back from last season, and in addition to Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike, there are four training camp invitees. Storm draftee Mackenzie Holmes will miss the 2024 WNBA season as she undergoes knee surgery next month, she announced.

The harsh reality of life as a WNBA rookie is not lost on Mühl. When Auriemma said he would have to get the Storm’s schedule to see her play, she lightheartedly joked “if I make the team.”

With only 144 roster spots, sometimes less, across 12 teams, the WNBA is the most competitive sports league in the world. Given the circumstances, it isn’t exactly a fact to hang your hat on. Hundreds of talented players have left the comfort of home to find one overseas as they continue their basketball careers due to a lack of opportunity. The new Golden State franchise is set to start their inaugural season in 2025. Other locations have not been finalized yet.

“We’re really open to evaluating our entire roster and having the best 11 players on our roster for the start of the regular season, and whatever that combination looks like is what we’re committed to doing,” Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said. “But we’re really excited for Nika to get here and get integrated with the rest of our team. We’ll see how camp goes and how our roster shapes up.”

In Mühl’s case, the circumstances differ slightly from those of other draft picks this year. Apart from being a talented player, from a business standpoint, she’s a former UConn guard going to a team where Bird played in 19 of their first 23 years of existence and won four championships. The expectations aren’t in the same ballpark, but as a universally beloved player, the storyline sells itself.

“We thought that she would go in the first round, so we were really excited when she was still available,” Rhea continued. 

Rhea also said the team eyed Mühl after the first round ended and that they “were pretty ecstatic once the 13th pick happened and she was still available.”

Being drafted to a team with a solid foundation from the players to ownership is crucial to the development of any rookie, but especially in the WNBA. For Muhl, she has Diggins-Smith and Jewell Loyd as battle-tested guards, Nneka Ogwumike, and others to lean on. Talk about a trio of leadership and experience.

“Just looking at the roster, those are some iconic women. Those are some iconic basketball players,” said Mühl when Daniel Artest of the 9450 asked about growing under the tutelage of Seattle’s veterans. “Those are people I want to learn from, listen to, get challenged by, and yelled at. And I’m ready for it. I feel the eagerness to learn, the eagerness to be challenged and fail and rise up, and I feel like the coaching staff and team will do it for me. The one thing I want to bring is being a good teammate. I want to create amazing relationships over there. I feel like that’s what makes and helps teams win. I want to be a part of that winning program because it truly is a historical program.”

As stated, Mühl won’t be burdened with the expectation of carrying a franchise like Bird as the first overall pick. Still, certain expectations are placed on her when she does get on the court based on her talent shown at UConn and adapting on the fly through the process to start the season. While the game speed in college simply doesn’t compare to the WNBA, Muhl has shown that she’s “W ready” in several areas. Let’s dive into it. 

Shooters Shoot

Through her first three years at UConn, Mühl hovered just over 34 percent from three on a loaded roster. Her senior year was a different story as she improved drastically to 41 percent on 3.3 attempts.

“As you grow, you learn and mature,” she said. “When I was a freshman, I didn’t understand that you didn’t have to be in the gym all day. It’s about how hard you work for those 45 minutes, those 20 minutes. And my coach, Morgan Valley. She guided me through that, and this last year, I spent 25 minutes before every single practice [shooting]. Even on days I didn’t feel like it or days I was tired, I shot threes and mid-range [shots]. I’m very proud of myself and how I remained consistent and proved to myself that consistency is the key.”

The proof has been in the pudding of Mühl’s development as a shooter.

Noticing her defender commit to Aaliyah Edwards and the ball, Mühl makes a nice cut to the baseline and pulls up for two. She shot 54 percent on twos this season, a six percent increase from her junior year. If there’s one thing that will aid a rookie on their journey in the WNBA, moving purposefully without the ball is one of them. Mühl excels at this. The window of opportunity is significantly shorter at this level. She isn’t the fastest player, but being quick on her feet compliments other areas of her game. Her ability to do it consistently will not only aid in her offensive development but will gain the trust of head coach Noelle Quinn and her veteran teammates.

Surveying her options, Mühl sees Hannah Stuelke on an island with Edwards and gets her the ball. Facing a double team, Edwards kicks the ball out to Mühl as she converts on the open three-pointer. One of the key components of Mühl’s work improving from behind the arc was catch-and-shoot scenarios. There aren’t many teams that have the personnel on paper to play man-to-man defense for long periods against a team chock full of stars like Seattle, and at times, Muhl will find herself open. Moments like these are hers for the taking.

Another example of Mühl staying ready so she doesn’t have to get ready. She dumps it off to Ice Brady and she gives it right back. With no hesitation, she fires away and knocks it down.

As Paige Bueckers brings the ball up, she spots an open Mühl. She slings it with one arm precisely in Mühl’s direction, knocking it down. It may not seem like a noteworthy clip, but her form makes it so. After receiving the pass from Bueckers, Mühl’s feet were still moving. Instead of firing away on a defense that failed to close out on her, she takes a second to gather herself and then makes the shot. Every situation won’t be as open or as clear as this was, but Muhl’s fundamentals as a shooter came through hard work and dedication. This is just one instance of how.

Roll, Extra Butter

With a bigger defender on her, Mühl takes advantage of her quickness and blows by with a spin around the rim for a layup.

Running the give and go as shown here gives Mühl an easy two at the rim. With an assortment of bigs from Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor and Mercedes Russell, expect it more often this season with quicker guards who are able to execute the action other than Jewell Loyd.

Mühl’s speed is on display here as she blows by three defenders for a scoop.

Dishes and Dimes

Passing up a good shot for a better shot is sound basketball but the beauty of it in motion never gets old. Here, Edwards gives it up to Muhl after calling for it. Seeing the double team closing in, she unselfishly shuttles it over to Qadence Samuels for three. Mühl could’ve taken the shot but decided to pass instead. Basketball is a team sport and Mühl represents the best parts of it. Teammates and coaches can attest to it.

Throwing a pass across the court with pinpoint accuracy is hard enough. Doing so mid-motion while switching hands looks like a Harlem Globetrotter warming up. That was Muhl here as she adds some lift to it so Ashlynn Shade doesn’t have to reach for it, going straight up for the shot. Muhl is a gifted passer and this is just one instance of it. Playing with an abundance of talented guards and point forwards, she won’t be a first, second or even tertiary ballhandler but when given the oppourtunity, she will make the right read. Some will even dazzle like this one.

In this clip, a driving Mühl spies a cutting Bueckers and she delivers a jump pass in order to get it over the two outstretched defenders in her way.

In the fourth quarter of the same game, Mühl never looked at the rim during this possession. Intent on creating for her teammate, she targeted Bueckers with a bounce pass in stride as she finishes the layup through contact.

Defensive Dynamo

As a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year recipient, Mühl rolls up her sleeves and and makes life miserable for opposing ball handlers, and she takes pride in it due to her hard work and coaching staff believing her.

“I was uncoachable when I came here,” said Mühl. “To see my growth and how far I’ve come, it means a lot. I’m so thankful to them for never giving up on me.”

“A lot of ups and downs and a lot of unexpected things came my way,” she continued. “Not saying I wasn’t believing in myself, but I just never saw myself being a player recieving awards or indiviual recognition. I was always more focused on my team and how I can help. I’m thankful for being recognized in a field of basketball that I love the most, which is defense.”

It takes a lot for an athlete to admit that they viewed themselves as uncoachable. Mühl’s humility and and appetite for learning will make her an instant favorite amongst veterans on Seattle who are secure in their station and only want the best for her developement. They will appreciate her tenacity at the point of attack as well.

Here, Mühl makes a clean swipe at the ball, grasps it, then its off to the races as she capitalizes on the turnover for a layup. Her hands are always moving and in this case, she was rewarded for it.

Mühl played some of her defense in the tourney last month against Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair. Fair is third all-time in NCAA Division I women’s basketball and first all-time in minutes played. In other words, this isn’t you average player Muhl is defending. Fair has made larger defenders wish they switched off her but she couldn’t shake the 5-foot-10 Mühl. She doesn’t give Fair an inch of space and ends up with the block. Her active hands at work again.

Mühl is on an island against the lankier 6-foot-2 Chloe Kitts. She stays with her as Kitts puts the ball on the floor making a move to the rim. Muhl simply extends her arms, makes Kitts feel her presence while playing sound defense.

Mühl never gives up on a play, no matter the circumstances and this clip is proof. She chases the ball down and swats it into the second row. Defensive plays like this invigorate a team needing a jumpstart like no other.

Another case of Mühl refusing to give up as she intercepts the pass and gets the ball back for her team. You can’t teach heart and hustle in this form. Either you have it or you don’t and Mühl has it in droves.

Seattle is getting one of the most “W-ready” rookies in Nika Mühl. Aside from her talents, she has the drive and determination to be one of the best players on the floor. Drafted to a Seattle group with legendary talents on and off the court, Mühl is in the best position to become the best that she can be. Her vets will make sure of it as training camp starts on Sunday.

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