Seattle Storm rookie Nika Muhl, the 14th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is slated to make her professional debut on Wednesday night against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Muhl’s debut was delayed due to visa complications, causing her to miss the first four games of the season.
As a Croatian citizen, Muhl’s student visa expired upon her graduation from UConn earlier this month. She needed a P-1 athlete visa to play professionally, which was secured by the United States on Friday. However, Muhl required a status change, necessitating a trip to Canada. The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver confirmed her clearance by posting a photo with Muhl and Consul General Jim DeHart on social media on Tuesday.
Muhl’s availability is a significant boost for the Storm, who have started the season with a disappointing 1-3 record and have been struggling with backcourt depth. Starting guards Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith have been logging heavy minutes, averaging 35.1 and 33.1 minutes per game, respectively.
Storm head coach Noelle Quinn expressed enthusiasm about Muhl’s addition, highlighting her defensive prowess, leadership qualities, and versatility. Quinn noted that Muhl’s presence would allow for more strategic lineup variations and provide an opportunity to utilize Diggins-Smith on the wing.
“Nika brings a lot to the table,” Quinn said. “She’s tough, strong, and physical. Her defensive skills and ability to run an offense are exactly what we need right now.”
While Nika Muhl wasn’t a high scorer in college, her ability to manage the offense, shoot reliably from three-point range, and play strong defense made her a valuable asset. Her standout performance guarding Caitlin Clark in the NCAA Final Four significantly raised her draft stock, making their upcoming matchup a fitting stage for her WNBA debut.
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