As the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team counts down the final days before their November 9 season tip-off against Boston University, former Husky sensation Nika Muhl decided to stir up a little preseason excitement herself. Her weapon of choice? A single, spine-chilling word.
In true Nika Muhl fashion, the former UConn point guard threw out a one-word reaction to freshman center Jana El Alfy’s latest back-to-school preseason photoshoot that left fans raising their eyebrows and chuckling. Sharing El Alfy’s preseason photos on her Instagram Story, Muhl dropped a caption with one word: “Scary.” Is it a nod to El Alfy’s impressive moves on the court? A playful tease? Only Muhl knows for sure, and she’s not one to spill the beans.
From Huskies Star to Pro: Muhl’s Journey Takes a (Painful) Turn
Muhl, who played four impactful seasons at UConn, has plenty of “scary” memories on the court herself. Known for her defensive prowess, Muhl wasn’t just any player; she was a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2021-22, 2022-23) and earned two All-Big East second-team honors. And while she averaged a respectable 5.8 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, her real superpower was making opponents think twice about coming anywhere near her.
With that kind of resume, it’s no surprise she was snatched up as the 14th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. But the story took an unfortunate twist: Muhl’s rookie season saw her clock just 3.6 minutes per game, a teaser of what could’ve been. Determined to shake things up, Muhl signed with Turkish powerhouse Besiktas to hone her skills in the WNBA off-season. But, in the cruel irony of sports, fate had other plans. Just one game into her international adventure, Muhl suffered a torn ACL that left fans and teammates heartbroken.
Teammates Rally Around Their Fallen Star
UConn’s die-hard fanbase and former teammates rallied on social media to show Muhl some love. Paige Bueckers, Muhl’s “twin” in spirit, posted on X (formerly Twitter) with a heartwarming snapshot of the two in a heartfelt embrace, declaring, “Nothing my twin can’t overcome.” Bueckers’ tweet came with an extra dose of blue heart emojis courtesy of UConn’s official account, sparking a flurry of love and support from the Husky faithful.
Muhl, showing her characteristic grit, shared her thoughts on Instagram but left fans guessing about her return timeline. The ACL injury might sideline her for the entirety of her second WNBA season, but if Muhl’s past is any indication, we wouldn’t bet against her pulling off a fierce comeback.
More Drama, Please?
Between college stars making Instagram waves and pros overcoming injuries, Muhl’s story reminds us that athletes aren’t just points on a scoreboard; they’re characters in the grand drama of sports. So, as UConn tips off their season next week, we can count on Muhl to keep her unique blend of support and sass rolling – even if it’s from halfway around the world.
Whether she’s calling a teammate’s look “scary” or fighting her way back onto the court, one thing’s certain: Nika Muhl will keep fans tuning in, and her story isn’t even close to over.