Ex-UConn teammate Nika Muhl sends inspirational message to Paige Bueckers as $1.5 million worth hooper ends 2024 on a high

Paige Bueckers still has a special place in Nika Muhl's heart. The Seattle Storm guard sent an inspirational message to her former UConn Huskies teammate on Instagram after Bueckers posted her gratitude to God for the year 2024 on Monday.

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers, right, hugs guard Nika Muhl late in the fourth quarter against the Georgetown Hoyas at Mohegan Sun Arena. Photo: Imagn

Muhl and Bueckers, whose NIL valuation is worth $1.5 million per On3, played together at UConn last season, leading the Huskies to the Final Four in April.

The duo powered UConn to victories over USC, Duke, Syracuse and Jackson State in the NCAA Tournament to arrange a clash with Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, they fell short in their bid to win the national championship, losing 71-69 in the semifinals.

Muhl placed a short comment under Bueckers' post, with the WNBA player expecting great things to come for her former Huskies teammate in 2025.

"Next one gonna be even better," Muhl said.

Seattle Storm star Nika Muhl commented on former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers' Instagram post about 2024. Source: Instagram/@paigebueckers

Nika Muhl joined the WNBA after graduating from UConn. The Seattle Storm selected her with the 14th pick (in the second round) of the 2024 draft. Muhl saw limited playing time in her rookie season, averaging 3.6 minutes through 16 games.

Muhl will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after suffering a left knee injury while playing for Besiktas J.K. in Turkey in October. She tore her meniscus and ACL against Fenerbahce S.K. and had surgery to repair the damage in November.

Paige Bueckers finishes 2024 with a flourish, continues scoring spree vs. Providence

Paige Bueckers knows fully well what Nika Muhl is experiencing at the moment, having suffered an ACL injury herself in a pickup game two years ago. She has returned stronger from that unfortunate episode, averaging 20.9 points per contest in the 2024-25 NCAA season for No. 7 UConn (11-2, 2-0 Big East).

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers moves the ball against USC Trojans guard Avery Howell in the first half of their NCAA basketball game at XL Center. Photo: Imagn

She ended the year with a flourish, averaging 24.2 ppg in UConn's last five games. Bueckers is coming off a 23-point performance against the Providence Friars on Sunday. She led the Huskies to a comprehensive 67-41 victory in their final game of the year.