“GANG,” “Big purr”: UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Kamorea Arnold gush over Nika Muhl’s stylish photoshoot with cats while on bed rest

Nika Muhl sustained an ACL tear during her first game for the Beşiktaş Women's Basketball Team in the Turkish League. She underwent surgery, and while in recovery, the Seattle Storm guard held a mini photoshoot with her cats.

"Day 1 featuring Mad Max & G 🦿lets get it," she wrote in the caption.

While still far away from their former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers and KK Arnold sent in their good vibes through the comments.

"Big purr," Bueckers wrote.

"Bed rest could never stop a good photo shoot," she added.

"LUH GANG," Arnold commented.

Paige Bueckers and KK Arnold's comment (Credit: Instagram/@niak.muhl)

Nika Muhl spent four years with Paige Bueckers, suiting up for the UConn Huskies. The two guards played an important role during the Huskies' Final Four run last season, which was Bueckers' first healthy full season since her freshman year. She was sidelined for the 2022-23 season with an ACL tear.

With Muhl now in the WNBA, the responsibility falls on Bueckers as she attempts to end her college career with a championship win.

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Paige Bueckers comments on UConn's strategy without Nika Muhl

During a chat with the media in June, Paige Bueckers noted that she has a huge responsibility on her shoulders after Nika Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards' move to the WNBA. After UConn's first practice in October, the guard was confident in her teammates' skills to navigate the loss of the two experienced seniors.

“She (Sarah) knows how to play and coming in as a freshman I think that's a great thing to have," Bueckers said. "She's aggressive, she can pass, she can shoot, so she can score at all three levels; she even rebounds well.

"Jana, obviously missed her. She's just a big presence on defense that we didn't necessarily have last year. She brings us a great ton of energy that I think obviously losing Nika and Aaliyah, we were missing a bit of energy. So I think she'll bring that as well."

In addition to this, UConn bought in Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen as the replacement for Nika Muhl. The guard has already proved herself to be the right choice, as she scored 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in an exhibition game against Fort Hays. Bueckers finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

With the core in place, the Huskies are on the path to fighting for their chance at the championship. If injured players like Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffin and Caroline Ducharme make a healthy return, UConn could be unstoppable.