May 23-Storm rookie guard Nika Mühl wore an attire to Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Fever that summed up the visa issues that had delayed her highly anticipated WNBA debut. Mühl, 23, walked into Climate Pledge Arena wearing a denim miniskirt, green boots, black sunglasses, and a white T-shirt with an image of a counterfeit visa and a stamp that said “Approved.”
Mühl was seen flashing a peace sign in the snap. “The shirt was printed faster than the visa,” she joked with reporters after the game, explaining that her father, a graphic designer, and mother assisted with her costume, which went popular on social media.
The Croatian native, who starred at the University of Connecticut for four years and was picked 14th overall in the second round of last month’s WNBA draft, missed the Storm’s first four games and exhibition opener in Canada while awaiting permission on a P1A work visa.
She was eligible to play in the Storm’s preseason home game since she hadn’t finished college and was still on a student visa. After the process was completed, Mühl made a quick journey to the United States Embassy in Vancouver, British Columbia, where her new passport was stamped and she re-entered the nation, ready to begin a potential professional basketball career.
“It felt like I was injured and couldn’t play,” Mühl stated. “It made me think about those days. But, to be honest, I believe it was necessary for me since I needed to have a good outlook. And my teammates, coaches, and everyone in the program helped me maintain a positive attitude.”
Mühl received a standing ovation from the record sellout crowd of 18,343 when she onto the floor for the first time, with the Storm leading 54-51 with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter.
“I believe everyone was excited,” guard Jewell Loyd stated. “It was quite loud when she got in. It was hilarious; she was trying to tell us about the show, but we couldn’t hear her. We said, ‘What?’ “I’m sure she was excited, but perhaps a little overwhelmed.It’s always good to have her back. We definitely missed her. She’s been working hard, and we’re thrilled to have her on the team. She really brings a distinct viewpoint to our staff.”
“She’s been at UConn and knows what it means to be thrown into the fire,” Quinn stated. “She recently gained experience guarding Caitlin. So, without much practice time with the team, just know she’s gotten some good defensive reps and understands how to be in her area and defend her. With Mühl as the primary defender, UConn limited Clark to 21 points on 7-for-18 shooting, tying her season low, in Iowa’s 71-69 victory in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals.
