"Locked I love you always": Paige Bueckers pens down heartfelt message for ex-UConn teammate Nika Muhl for her special day

By Koby del Rosario

Modified Apr 12, 2025 07:45 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Portland Regional-Connecticut vs Southern California - Source: Imagn — Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl in 2024. - Source: Troy Wayrynen, Imagn

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers is all smiles right now after achieving the goal she set out for in the 2024-25 season. On Sunday, the Huskies celebrated winning the national championship after toppling the defending champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

On Wednesday, it was time to celebrate the 24th birthday of her former UConn teammate, Nika Muhl. Bueckers penned a heartfelt message for Muhl on her Instagram story, accompanied by a picture of the two hugging.

"Twin day!! Happy birthday, sister. Locked I love you always," Bueckers wrote with heart-shaped hands and crossed-fingers emojis.

(image credits): @paigebueckers on Instagram

Nika Muhl spent her rookie year in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm. She then took her talents to the KSBL to play for Turkish team Besiktas J.K. but sustained ACL and meniscus tears in her knee that ruled her out for the rest of the year.

There is no word yet on where Muhl will end up in 2025, as she is still busy recovering. But if she does return to the WNBA, a reunion with Bueckers is possible. The UConn star is expected to be the top pick in this year's draft, which will take place on April 14.

Nika Muhl congratulates Paige Bueckers after national title win

Before she was selected with the 14th pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Nika Muhl enjoyed a stellar four-year collegiate stint with the UConn Huskies. She is the program leader in assists with 686 and holds the record for the most dimes by a Huskies player in a single game with 15.

Muhl and Paige Bueckers were unable to win a national championship during their time at UConn. But Muhl could not be prouder of Bueckers after she finally achieved that goal this season.

Earlier this week, Muhl posted an Instagram story honoring her friend and her new title:

"A national champion"

Nika Muhl's Instagram story referring to Paige Bueckers - Source: Instagram_@nika.muhl — Nika Muhl's Instagram story referring to Paige Bueckers - Source: [email protected]

Bueckers is now set to take on a new challenge of becoming a champion at the next level with her much-anticipated move to the WNBA.

About the author

Koby del Rosario is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda who took up BS in Advertising Management at De La Salle University, one of the big "four" universities in the Philippines. Koby has over four years of experience with Complex PH, M2.0 Communications, The LaSallian, Daily Tribune, and Time Attack Manila.

Koby's favorite college team would have to be the North Carolina Tar Heels. Apart from being MJ's alma mater, Koby has always been fond of the Jordan silhouettes that release in the school's colors (being a sneakerhead himself).

His past favorite college players would have to be Russell Westbrook (UCLA) and Markelle Fultz (Washington). With Russ, his 1-2 punch with Kevin Love during their UCLA days was something Koby marveled at as Russ became his favorite player to watch post-Kobe.

Besides playing basketball, Koby enjoys nightlife, collecting sneakers, and playing video games. Apart from hosting parties and taking pictures for parties/bars/clubs, Koby is learning to DJ as a hobby with all sorts of house and hip-hop as the main genres.

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Edited by Brad Taningco