Nika Muhl and Diana Taurasi’s Wholesome Moment Makes Paige Bueckers Nostalgic

Ever since the 2023-24 season went past by the UConn Huskies have been going through an emotional roller coaster. “We just love each other. We enjoy being around each other. And, this season it was us against all odds,” were Paige Bueckers’ words at the press conference after facing a 71-69 Final Four defeat from Iowa. After that came the 2024 WNBA draft where Nika Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards were selected as the 14th and 6th overall picks.

With that comes the fact that former Huskies like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart have been drafted into the WNBA. Simply put, UConn has always been a go-to spot whenever the W wanted fresh talent to draft. It is even more interesting when these players unite and share the familiar warmth of their old days at UConn after becoming professionals. Today we came across a similar moment that has brought Paige Bueckers to tears.

Paige Bueckers feeling misty

As we all know that this year’s WNBA season is about to kick off with the preseason games already on. Today, Nika Muhl made her preseason WNBA debut against Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury. The Seattle Storm rookie took her winnings as the Storm clinched a remarkable 85-59 victory over Mercury.

However, the wholesome moments came after the game when Taurasi and Muhl hugged it out in a special way, sharing their common love for their Dorm in Storrs and the time they were at UConn. It was like as if a part of them went back to the time when they were Huskies.

It is evident by the way they smiled and looked at each other that they still cherish those times and the feeling of being back home. This moment caught Paige Bueckers’ attention as she recently posted a video of the two having a blessed moment, which brought her to tears.

Bueckers has always shared a close bond with all of her teammates then and now. The past season was filled with drastic adversaries for the Huskies, but it did bring them a lot closer to each other as they kept the fight on against all odds.

“I am glad that Nika got to show on this platform. On this stage what she’s been for us her entire 4 years at UConn. What she’s been this entire year. Um, just you saw the epitome of what Nika is, a tenacious defender, does everything that her team needs her to do. Um, controls on offense, plays with so much heart and energy. Plays with her whole soul. And, you saw that tonight. You see that every single time she steps out on the court,” Paige Bueckers talked about Muhl in an interview after the Huskies tasted the bitter Final Four defeat by Iowa.

“Um, and so, I mean she just does what Nika does and she played her heart out. This is relationships and memories that we’ll have for the rest of our life,” she added.

It was like Paige was honoring Muhl’s time at UConn, as a testament of their friendship. Well, Bueckers wasn’t the only one who had to waive an emotional goodbye to Muhl.

When Geno Auriemma gave a beautiful lesson for Muhl to live by

Before heading for her WNBA journey, there was something that kept Nika Muhl tied to her roots at UConn. For her it was important to say one last goodbye. She walked up to Auriemma’s office and said, “Hey Grampy!” Nika didn’t know that she was hitting the chord so strongly that it made Auriemma flowing with emotions when he said to her, “I was watching you shoot down there. You didn’t shoot like that when you played here back in the day.”

They hugged it out and Muhl broke into tears. Just then Auriemma reminded her how good of a player she is and said, “They drafted you for a reason. So, do what do what they drafted you for. So, bring a different culture to them. That pros don’t have it. Bring that UConn culture to them.”

Nika reciprocated his words with gratitude saying, “But just thank you, like you changed my life and your impact. I don’t think you’re aware of it to an extent, but you impacted so many people around me including me. And, like there’s never been a single person like you. And there never will be in the world and I hope you know how unique you are and how special you are.” 

And added, “you’re just legendary but not as a coach like to me you’re legendary as a person. And, I’ll cherish that forever,” while Auriemma sat patiently, holding back his tears and wished her for a bright future in the W.