Seattle Storm rookie Nika Muhl made her WNBA debut against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever after visa issues caused her to miss the first four games of the season
Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl, left, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark greet each other following a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives as Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83.
Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl, left, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark pose for photos following a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83.
Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl warms up for the team’s WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle.
Once it became clear that Nika Muhl’s visa issues were resolved and she would finally be able to make her WNBA debut, the rookie for the Seattle Storm wanted to have a little fun.
With the help of her dad â a graphic designer â and some outfit advice from her mom, Muhl poked fun at the situation surrounding the delay to her first game, showing up at the arena wearing a T-shirt with âApprovedâ written over a picture of herself.
âI saw people being mad and I saw so many things online and I was just like, I want to make something funny out of this,â Muhl said. âI want to make people laugh.â
Muhl finally moved from being a spectator to on the court for the Storm, getting a short but memorable stint during Seattle’s 85-83 win over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night.
She played all of 2 minutes and 39 seconds, but when she entered late in the third quarter it may have been the loudest ovation from franchise-record crowd of 18,343. She missed the only shot she took, grabbed two rebounds and watched Clark hit a step-back 3 over her moments after checking in.
âI’m just so blessed to be part of this and I’m forever grateful,â Muhl said after the game. âI’m probably going to go home now and I won’t be able to sleep, and just think about this day and everything that happened.â
The visa issues for Muhl â a native of Croatia â came to light just before Seattleâs season opener against Minnesota on May 14. She missed that game and all three games of Seattleâs road trip.
She said there was a lot of paperwork involved and that the process of waiting for the final approvals became frustrating at times. She also had to make a quick trip to Vancouver, British Columbia so she could then re-enter the United States on her approved work visa.
âIt felt like I was injured and couldn’t play. It reminded me of those times,” she said. “But honestly, I feel like it was needed for me in a way because I had to put it in like a positive mindset. And my teammates and my coaches, and everybody in the program helped me put it in a positive mindset.â
Muhl was the No. 14 overall pick in the second round of the WNBA draft after a stellar career at UConn. Already an elite defender, her profile took a major leap after she flustered Clark in the national semifinal between UConn and Iowa. Clark finished with 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting in Iowaâs 71-69 win, but was hounded all game by Muhl.
Not surprisingly, it was Muhl chasing Clark around the floor in Seattle for her brief debut.
âI’m very happy with the fact that I got to play my first game against her,â Muhl said. âI love Caitlin. We had a lot of fun at the draft together. To get to meet all those people outside of the games, you hate everybody on the floor, you want to compete, but outside we’re all good friends and we support each other.â
News
Mark Wahlberg demands the firing of teachers who remove American flags from classrooms, saying itâs a disrespect to freedom and sacrifice.
Recently, actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg has sparked intense debate across the nation with his bold statement demanding the immediate firing of any teacher who removes the American flag from their classroom. Wahlbergâs declaration that âThe American flag stands for…
The View has become TVâs top sleep aid! After a ratings plunge, itâs the worst show on American TV!
In the ever-evolving world of television, few shows have faced the kind of dramatic downfall recently experienced by The View. Once a prominent platform for political and cultural discussion, The View has been dubbed the “worst show on American TV”…
Kid Rock stirred controversy with a message aimed at Garth Brooks: “True country stars love the flag! You can’t sing country if you don’t stand by it. Country music is about heart, soul, and patriotism.”
Country music has long been associated with themes of patriotism, tradition, and a deep-seated love for the American flag. Recently, Kid Rock made headlines with a provocative statement seemingly aimed at fellow country star Garth Brooks: “If you don’t love…
Harrison Butker declares, ‘I’ll always stand for our national anthem,’ taking a swipe at protests. Respect versus dramaâButker stands tall!
In the contemporary landscape of professional sports, athletes are often thrust into the center of societal debates, their actions and words echoing far beyond the fields and courts. Harrison Butker, a placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently reignited the…
We need fewer Kaepernicks and more Tim Tebows: “Colin Kaepernick tried to throw a football but ended up throwing a political career instead.”
In the realm of sports, athletes often become cultural icons, representing more than just their athletic prowess. Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow are two such figures, each embodying different ideals and values that have sparked widespread debate and divided public…
Breaking: Sheryl Swoopes Calls Caitlin Clark A âBullyâ & Claims She Didnât Really Break The NCAA Scoring Record In Hate-Filled Rant
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes took issue with the discourse every time Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is fouled and pointed to what happened Sunday with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. Reese clocked Clark on the head while Clark…
End of content
No more pages to load