“Missing these moments”: Nika Muhl shares a heartwarming birthday wish for UConn star Azzi Fudd
UConn star Azzi Fudd celebrated her 22nd birthday on Monday and former teammate Nika Muhl sent her a warm message to commemorate her special day.
Muhl, now a Seattle Storm guard, shared a post on her Instagram story with a picture of the two when they played together for the UConn Huskies.
"Happy birthday AZ. Missing these moments," Nika captioned the story with a 'face holding back tears' emoji to remember the memories they created together in Connecticut.
Muhl was a sophomore when Fudd arrived at UConn as a highly-touted freshman in 2021. They played together for two seasons and helped Geno Auriemma's team reach the NCAA championship game.
Fudd only played two games the previous season before suffering a knee injury which abruptly ended her season. She is still recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament and has not played for the Huskies this season.
Meanwhile, WNBA rookie Muhl also suffered an injury in her left ACL and meniscus in her first overseas game. After a disappointing first season in the WNBA with only 3.6 minutes per game, she traveled to Turkey to play for Besiktas JK in the Turkish Super League.
Muhl had a strong debut with Besiktas, scoring 11 points and making nine assists before getting injured.
"Anyone that knows me knows I work my a** off all the time. This time isn’t gonna be any different," Nika wrote on Instagram. "I appreciate all the love and support so much - yall really make this easier for my heart. I am grateful for all the people around me."
When will Azzi Fudd return to UConn's lineup?
UConn fans have been waiting to see the pair-up between Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd since the two arrived in Storrs three years ago.
However, after both players missed a season due to injury, fans have had to be patient in seeing the duo take the floor together. Two games into this season and UConn is still without Fudd.
"I've almost forgotten what that could look like, or should look like, or have an imagination of, 'Wow, I've seen them at their best together,' and I'm anxious to see that again," Auriemma said via CBS Sports.
"It's really an unknown at this point. I can only go by some of the things that I've seen I practice," he added.
Although Azzi Fudd has started doing light practices, she has not yet fully recovered from the ACL injury and will still be out for a few weeks, as per Sports Illustrated.