Nika Mühl is a Croatian professional basketball player known for her exceptional playmaking and defensive skills. A standout point guard for the Seattle Storm in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Mühl rose to prominence during her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she set multiple assist records and earned accolades for her defensive prowess. Despite a challenging rookie season and a significant injury setback, Mühl has also made waves off the court as a fashion icon and brand ambassador.
Early Life and Background
Nika Mühl was born on April 9, 2001, in Zagreb, Croatia, to parents Roberta and Darko Mühl, both former basketball players. Growing up in a basketball-centric family, Mühl developed a passion for the sport early on. She has a younger sister, Hana Mühl, who also plays collegiate basketball in the United States. Mühl attended III Gymnasium Zagreb, where she excelled academically and athletically, honing her skills with local club ŽKK Trešnjevka 2009.
Her early exposure to Croatia’s vibrant sports culture and her parents’ influence laid the foundation for her competitive edge. Mühl represented Croatia at the 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 10.9 points, 5.7 assists, and **5.0 rebounds per game, helping her team secure third place in Group A.
College Career at UConn
Mühl received scholarship offers from several NCAA Division I programs, including Oregon, Ohio State, Louisville, and South Florida. She committed to UConn on April 8, 2019, citing head coach Geno Auriemma’s personal visit to Croatia as a key factor in her decision. She signed her National Letter of Intent on November 13, 2019.
During her four-year tenure with the UConn Huskies (2020–2024), Mühl established herself as one of the program’s all-time greats:
- Freshman Season (2020–21): Averaged 5.0 points, 2.7 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 22 games, starting 14. Scored a season-high 19 points against Creighton on February 25, 2021.
- Career Achievements:
- UConn’s all-time leader in career assists (686).
- Program records for most assists in a single season (284 in 2022–23) and single game (15 vs. NC State on November 20, 2022).
- Two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023).
- Two-time All-Big East Second Team (2023, 2024).
- 2024 AP All-America Honorable Mention and Big East All-Tournament Team.
- Injury: Suffered an ankle injury during the 2021 NCAA Tournament game against High Point, limiting her participation.
Mühl graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
WNBA Career
Mühl was selected 14th overall in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. She attended the draft in person, a testament to her rising profile. However, her rookie season was marked by challenges:
- Visa Issues: Mühl missed the first four games of the 2024 season due to delays in converting her student visa to a P1A work visa. She made her WNBA debut on May 22, 2024, against the Indiana Fever, playing three minutes and recording two rebounds.
- Limited Playing Time: Appeared in 16 games, averaging 3.6 minutes, 0.1 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. Her limited role was attributed to a veteran-heavy rotation, but teammates and coach Noelle Quinn praised her work ethic.
- First Career Points: Scored her first WNBA points in a season-high 14 minutes during the Storm’s regular-season finale against the Phoenix Mercury on September 19, 2024.
Unfortunately, Mühl’s career faced a major setback when she suffered a torn ACL and meniscus while playing for Beşiktaş JK in Turkey on October 3, 2024, during a game against Fenerbahçe SK. She underwent surgery on November 1, 2024, and the Seattle Storm confirmed on April 18, 2025, that she would miss the entire 2025 WNBA season due to the injury.
Overseas Career
To gain more playing experience, Mühl signed with Beşiktaş JK of the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League (KBSL) for the 2024–25 season. In her final game before the injury, she played 28 minutes, recording 11 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds. Her move to Europe was partly driven by the need to adapt to a professional schedule after a challenging WNBA rookie season.
Off-Court Achievements
Mühl has emerged as a cultural figure beyond basketball:
- Fashion Icon: Named the WNBA’s Best Dressed Rookie of 2024 by GQ Sports and the Most Stylish Player in a fan-voted Instagram contest. Her bold tunnel outfits earned her the LeagueFits Rookie of the Year Award and a spot on the LeagueFits First Team.
- Endorsements:
- Signed a multi-year partnership with Under Armour in March 2025, serving as a brand ambassador and wearing Curry Brand sneakers.
- Partnered with Mazda (announced September 12, 2024), appearing in commercials and social media campaigns.
- Collaborated with Smartwater and Ulta Beauty.
- Social Media Presence: Boasts over 500,000 Instagram followers, amplifying her influence as a role model.
Personal Life
Mühl keeps her personal life private but is known to be dating Nahiem Alleyne, a former UConn men’s basketball player. The couple met at UConn and supports each other’s careers. Mühl is not married and has no children, focusing on her professional basketball career and recovery from her injury. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington, where she trains and engages with the city’s active sports community.
Her parents, Darko (a graphic designer) and Roberta (in fashion sales), have been instrumental in her career, with her mother’s fashion background influencing Mühl’s iconic style. Mühl’s favorite NBA player is Dennis Rodman, reflecting her admiration for bold personalities.
Net Worth
Nika Mühl’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $200,000 as of 2025. Her income sources include:
- WNBA Contract: Signed a 4-year, $297,045 contract with the Seattle Storm, with an average annual salary of $74,261. In 2025, she was set to earn a base salary of $68,595 before her injury sidelined her.
- Endorsements: Deals with Under Armour, Mazda, Smartwater, and Ulta Beauty significantly boost her earnings.
- Overseas Play: Her contract with Beşiktaş JK provided additional income, though specifics are undisclosed.
Mühl’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but her growing endorsement portfolio and social media influence suggest potential for significant future earnings.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nika Mühl |
| Date of Birth | April 9, 2001 |
| Birthplace | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Height | 6’0” (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 156 lbs |
| Position | Guard (Point Guard) |
| WNBA Team | Seattle Storm (2024–present) |
| Draft | 2024, 2nd Round, 14th Overall |
| College | University of Connecticut (2020–2024) |
| College Achievements | UConn all-time assists leader (686), 2x Big East Defensive Player of the Year |
| WNBA Stats (2024) | 16 games, 0.1 PPG, 0.6 RPG, 0.4 APG |
| Injury | Torn ACL and meniscus (October 2024), out for 2025 WNBA season |
| Overseas Team | Beşiktaş JK (Turkey, 2024–25) |
| Net Worth | $100,000–$200,000 (estimated) |
| Salary | $68,595 (2025 base salary, WNBA) |
| Endorsements | Under Armour, Mazda, Smartwater, Ulta Beauty |
| Relationship Status | Dating Nahiem Alleyne |
| Social Media | Instagram: 500,000+ followers |
| Fashion Awards | WNBA Best Dressed Rookie (2024), Most Stylish Player (GQ Sports) |
Recent Results
Due to her ACL injury in October 2024, Mühl has not competed since her last game with Beşiktaş JK, where she recorded 11 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds. In the WNBA, her most notable performance was in the Storm’s 2024 regular-season finale against the Phoenix Mercury, where she played 14 minutes and scored her first career points. The Seattle Storm’s 2024 season ended with a 25–15 record, but Mühl’s limited role makes individual game logs less impactful. For detailed stats, refer to WNBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com.
Hashtags: NikaMühl #WNBA #SeattleStorm #UConnHuskies #Basketball #WomenInSports #CroatianAthlete #FashionIcon #UnderArmour #WNBAStyle
Sources
- Basketball-Reference.com
- Wikipedia
- WNBA.com
- CollegeNetWorth.com
- Spotrac.com
- SportsDunia.com
- UnderArmour.com
- Marca.com
