Nika Muhl played less than three minutes in her WNBA debut with the Seattle Storm, but even cheering from the bench next to her new teammates felt like a huge victory for the former UConn point guard.

Muhl is a Croatian national and was unable to participate in playing activities for the Storm’s first four games of the 2024 season while awaiting approval for her P1-A work visa. She was finally cleared to play her first game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday before a record crowd of 18,343 at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

“It felt like I was floating. It’s literally like I wasn’t there,” Muhl said with a smile. “The biggest crowd in Storm history, something like that is ridiculous… so to be able to be part of that, especially in my debut match, was pretty cool… I was just happy to be on the bench with my team sit and be part of the huddles and timeouts. I think little things like that meant a lot more to me.”

Muhl’s appearance was short-lived in the down-to-earth battle, which ended in an 85-83 win for the Storm. She grabbed two rebounds in two and a half minutes and spent her first minutes as a pro the same way she ended her college career: guarding Caitlin Clark, now the Fever’s star. Muhl will play another familiar face, former UConn teammate Aaliyah Edwards, in her second match when the Storm host the Washington Mystics on Saturday night.

Nika Muhl #1 of the Seattle Storm and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever defend each other during the third quarter of the game at Climate Pledge Arena on May 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photo, user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Muhl said she tried to stay positive during the frustrating wait, knowing it would be temporary. Yet, as she sat separated from the Storm behind their bench during the first week of play, she struggled with the helplessness of a problem so far beyond her control.

“I knew I was going to play eventually, and I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself or pout all the time, which I could have done. But I chose to be energy, to be loud,” Muhl said. “It was just a weight for me. I hate not being there. I hate feeling like I can’t do anything, so that was the biggest thing for me. I just really wanted to get out there and at least do something to help my team in some way.

The Seattle rookie said she has leaned on her support system at UConn since the moment she left Storrs for training camp. She texts with coach Geno Auriemma daily — sometimes about basketball, sometimes about life — and says she still keeps in touch with all members of the Huskies staff.

“I actually expected to keep that relationship. I never doubted it,” Muhl said. “Throughout my four years at UConn, we always knew that every alum that came back maintained some sort of relationship with the coaches, so I knew it would be that way for me as well. I love that even though I’m miles away, in different time zones, in another city… even with their own schedules, families, things to do, they still make time to check on me. ”

Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl warms up before the team’s WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
Muhl knew she wanted to make a fashion statement when she made her first official tunnel entrance for the Storm on Thursday, and putting the outfit together was a family affair even from afar. Her father, Darko, a graphic designer, created the image of her fake visa approval that was quickly printed on a plain white T-shirt, which she styled with the help of her mother, Roberta.

“Printing the shirt was faster than obtaining my visa. It was one day,” Muhl joked. “I didn’t think it would blow up like this… I’ve always been into (fashion) – my mother got me into it. I’ve always liked the idea of ​​(pregame outfits), but at UConn we don’t do things like that. It was always going to be a travel suit, which I hated. But now that I have this opportunity, I just enjoy being myself in that way.”