"The toughest" "Just another obstacle for you": UConn stars Paige Bueckers, Jana El-Alfy and more send wishes to Nika Muhl post ACL injury

Nika Muhl's offseason basketball plans were derailed after she sustained an ACL tear on Thursday. The former UConn guard was playing her first game for the Turkish basketball team Beşiktaş in the FIBA Women’s Super Cup against Fenerbahçe Opet.

Muhl posted an update on Instagram on Saturday.

"Anyone that knows me knows I work my ass off all the time. This time isn’t gonna be any different. I appreciate all the love and support so much - yall really make this easier for my heart.

"I am grateful for all the people around me that are true testaments of what belief and perseverance can achieve after being denied hooping. This is just another opportunity for me to compete, this time against myself. Not to be cocky, but that’s an easy W."

Muhl's former UConn teammates reacted to the post with words of encouragement.

"Just another obstacle for you to dominate, let’s get it twin🤞🏼," Paige Bueckers wrote.

"The toughest! Nothing you can’t overcome💗," Jana El-Alfy commented.

UConn players Ice Brady, Amari DeBerry, Ashlynn Shade, Qadence Samuels and KK Arnold, and former Huskies stars like Napheesa Collier, Aaliyah Edwards and Gabby Williams also reacted to the post.

UConn Huskies reaction to Nika Muhl (Credit: Instagram/@nika.muhl)

ACL tear injuries take six to nine months to heal, and Nika Muhl has not provided a timeline for her return.

The guard had a less-than-remarkable rookie season with the Seattle Storm as she played just 16 games, averaging 3.6 minutes per game. She scored her first WNBA points during Storm's final regular season game against the Phoenix Mercury.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma talked about Nika Muhl's injury

Geno Auriemma was crucial in bringing Nika Muhl from her home in Zagreb, Croatia to Storrs. When he was made aware of the guard's injury, Auriemma said:

"It’s a lot of basketball man, to go from playing a college season, playing a WNBA season, then going right into. It’s like non-stop, never-ending and I can’t even imagine how they do it and how she feels right now."

"For somebody who loves the game as much as she does, to be away from it. Obviously, it’s sad, it’s sad. So, I’ll try to catch up with it tonight when I get back."

Muhl played four years with the UConn Huskies and played an important role in assisting as she made serious plays. She set UConn's single-season assists record (284) during the 2022-23 campaign and is the career assists leader (686).

Now, with her transition to the WNBA, Muhl seems to be struggling to find her footing and the injury further dampened her chances.