"He witnessed his child’s first points": UConn fans react to Nika Muhl scoring her first WNBA points in front of Geno Auriemma
It was an emotional night for Nika Muhl as she scored her first WNBA points during Seattle's final game of the regular season, against Phoenix Mercury, on Thursday. The guard finished with two points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal on a 1-of-5 shooting.
Watching Muhl from the courtside was her former UConn coach, Geno Auriemma. The game also involved a tribute to the former Huskies legend, Diana Taurasi, who is rumored to be retiring after this season.
"If this is it, we finish what we started together," the Mercury wrote in the caption.
Fans were elated to know about Auriemma's presence as one wrote:
"He witnessed his child's first points."
Here are a few more reactions:
Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn praised Muhl in the post-game press conference:
"I am so proud of her," Quinn said (via CT Insider)."She works so hard. I know that you guys see it and feel it because of who she is. I am just talking about these stay-ready games, the three-on-threes during the days off, the extra film sessions, the shoot-arounds. She is constantly on the court and is constantly preparing herself."
"She is a young player in this league who is on a team that is competing for a championship. She has to be prepared and stay ready. ... I am happy for her that it came today in front of her college coach, coach Auriemma. That was pretty cool."
Nika Muhl once shared how her connection with Geno Auriemma and UConn remains unchanged
It is common for players to lose contact with their coaches once they leave college. However, that is not the case for Nika Muhl and Geno Auriemma. The Storm rookie revealed in an interview that the two are very much in touch:
"He texts me every day. We talk every day. Basketball-related, non-basketball-related, but he makes sure that he checks up on me, as well as every other coach on my team."
She also spoke about her regular chats with other UConn coaches. Muhl added that she respected them for continuing the relationship with her:
"Truly, I expected to keep that relationship. ... For my four years at UConn, every alum that came back, we always knew that they kind of kept that relationship with the coaches. And I knew it was going to be like that for me, too. And I love that."
Now that she is underway in WNBA, fans would hope for more opportunities for Muhl and for her to make full use of them.
Also read: Paige Bueckers and former Huskies star Nika Muhl reacts to Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey's 40 years at UConn