Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi smiles after a basket gainst the Atlanta Dream, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Phoenix. Taurasi, the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, scored her 10,000th point during the game. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi smiles after a basket gainst the Atlanta Dream, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Phoenix. Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, scored her 10,000th point during the game. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt York/Associated Press

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: Nika Muhl poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected 14th overall pick by the Seattle Storm during the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

 

Former UConn guard Nika Muhl during training camp with the WNBA's Seattle Storm

Former UConn women’s basketball star Diana Taurasi had high praise for Nika Mühl, the latest Husky to join the ranks of the WNBA.

Mühl’s first WNBA preseason appearance came against Taurasi as the Seattle Storm faced the Phoenix this week.

Following the game, there was a postgame video of Mühl talking to Christyn Williams and Taurasi. Mühl was knocked over by Taurasi under the basket during the game.

On a WNBA media Zoom call Thursday, Taurasi was asked about welcoming new UConn alumni into the league.

“Yeah, I’ve been a fan of Nika since she got the school,” Taurasi said. “I mean, she plays with that, that grit. She has that Eastern Bloc mindset, which nothing is given to them and I just love the way she works and she’s gonna have a hell of a career, because she loves the game, because she’s selfless. She plays for the team. It’s always nice to have a fellow Husky around. We’ve gone through the same experiences with Coach (Geno Auriemma), so I’m just happy for her.”

Mühl is the backup point guard to starter Skylar Diggins-Smith and subbed in for Diggins-Smith twice in the preseason game against Phoenix. She finished the game with six points, three defensive rebounds and two assists in the Storm’s 85-59 win over the Mercury at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

Taken by Seattle with its first pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft (14th overall, second pick of the second round) on April 15,  Mühl missed her only shot and was called for a blocking foul against Taurasi as the former UConn star and WNBA’s all-time leading scorer finished a drive to the basket to close the first quarter.