$1 million NIL-valued Paige Bueckers snaps with Nika Mühl after Seattle Storm showdown against Chicago Sky
It was just a few months back when Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl both represented the University of Connecticut in women's college basketball. However, after a successful collegiate career, Muhl fulfilled her ultimate dream of playing in the WNBA.
Bueckers and Muhl shared the court and a good relationship with the UConn Huskies. And Paige was spotted supporting Nika, who plays for Seattle Storm, in a WNBA game against Angel Reese's Chicago Sky on Friday.
Bueckers was seen donning Muhl's #1 Storm jersey along with Muhl in a picture posted by Seattle Storm's Instagram handle.
"Once a Husky, always a Husky," they wrote in the caption.
The Seattle Storm faced a nail-biting matchup against Chicago Sky. However, they fell short as Angel Reese's 27-point performance led the Sky to an 88-84 win. After playing a season-high seven minutes in their previous game against the Dallas Wings, Nika Muhl didn't play a second against the Sky.
Nika Muhl, the UConn record holder for the most career assists (686), was a key player for the Huskies for four seasons. She was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year twice in 2022 and 2023. In the 2023-24 season, she averaged 6.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 6.5 apg and was selected as the No. 14 overall pick by Seattle Storm in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Paige Bueckers, whose NIL is valued at $1.1 million by On3, has been practicing hard for the upcoming season. After averaging 21.6 ppg last season, she will see her role change from last season, after the transition of her former teammates, including Muhl, to the WNBA.
Paige Bueckers praises Nika Muhl's WNBA Outfit
Aside from on the court, Paige Bueckers also hyped her former UConn teammate up on Instagram. Nika Muhl had uploaded a photo dump on Instagram when she was seen donning an all-green outfit.
"Extraterrestrial 👽," she wrote in the caption.
Bueckers didn't back off from entering the comment section to excite Muhl as she wrote in the comments with a pun:
"Your style is out of this world," wrote Paige Bueckers.
This reflects the amazing relationship they share even after Muhl has transitioned to the WNBA. Muhl also received comments from other UConn players like Ice Brady and Aubrey Griffin.