When Nika Mühl transitioned from the NCAA scene to the WNBA, she probably didn’t expect to average 3.6 minutes on the court in the whole season. After being a crucial part of UConn’s success, the Seattle Storm presented her with a different experience. When the offseason came, the Croatian talent decided to give overseas play a chance but that did not end well either.

Speaking to fellow Storm player Sami Whitcomb recently, the rookie related what surprised her the most this season. “I will say the most surprising thing for me was how quickly you have to get over a loss and get ready for the next game. It’s like in college I would be depressed for like a week until we had the next game.” College women’s basketball teams are expected to play 25 games to be eligible for the NCAA tournaments, averaging around 21 to 22 weeks.

The pro league plays on a similar schedule from May to September (October with playoffs) and was 40 games long in 2024. And yet, for the Huskies, it might have seemed longer after each tough loss, whereas Mühl had to adjust to getting over losses quicker with the Storm. When Whitcomb asked, “You’re like crying in the locker room?” the Croatian player agreed.

“Yes, like nobody’s hanging out with nobody for three days later. The coaches, you don’t wanna look them in the eyes,” Mühl admits. While the Storm had a 25-15 record this year, the Aces sent them out of the postseason, sending Mühl to Turkey to play for Besiktas.

But in her very first game with Besiktas, the UConn sensation collapsed to the ground with an ACL tear and had to be carried off on a board back to the locker room. Thus, ended her year in the pro leagues for good. So far, it’s uncertain when she will return with Seattle, with her injury expected to take at least 9-12 months to heal. 2025 might not see Nika Mühl play and it’s likely to be a huge blow to the player.

However, she might find some comfort in former UConn player Breanna Stewart’s words.

Breanna Stewart’s advice changed Nika Mühl’s final UConn season

When Nika Mühl fouled out of a game vs. Notre Dame in January, she took the blame upon herself and only left the locker room after everyone had left. Luckily for the then-senior Husky, Liberty star and UConn alum Breanna Stewart had been on campus to watch the game and ran into a dejected Mühl afterward.

The guard recalled to The Athletic what Stewie told her, “This is all a process, this will all make sense later. I’ve been in your shoes, I’ve been in your position, just lead your team. … Stay strong.” Getting this advice from someone who was named the MOP every season she played and is a certified W legend was a big moment for Mühl.

“Getting some words of encouragement to say, it’s OK and it’s part of the process, even though I know it, just hearing from a legend is huge. I kinda changed my ways after that,” the Storm rookie said afterward.

Now as she battles perhaps one of the worst injuries of her career, Mühl might find some comfort in those old words from a UConn superstar. While there’s no clear timeline for her return, fans certainly wish her a speedy recovery.