Nika Muhl and WNBA Draft

[Shenandoah]

Nika's outstanding defense last night, not getting into foul trouble, and a good 3 point shot strengthened her chances of getting selected.

 

[Viet Vet]

I think Nika should concentrate on European basketball, where she can make more $, and be close to home. At best, she will be a second round WNBA draft pick. Despite her great defense and adequate three point shot, her ability to create her own shot is suspect.

I have loved her for four years. Her drive, intensity and spirit have been infectious at UConn. But my analysis of her skills is, by necessity,
dispassionate.

 

[Blacketh’D]

She’s def no first round pick. A defensive specialist who only scores every so often might not be all that important either. I think she has done good for her stock this year. I would want to hear who she’s going over from the seasoned veterans here

 

[cgshuskie]

I believe that Nika will be drafted by the Liberty. They need a back up for Vander Sloot who is coming to the end of her road. Nika would be a great addition, also, I don't think Marine Johannes is coming back this year and therefore Nika's 3 development will be needed. Nika would be a great fit for the Liberty and I hope Stewie puts in a word for her...... That will make a difference because the Liberty want to do whatever to keep Stewie happy!

 

[cgshuskie]

Nika is a first round pick, no question.....

 

[BBallF]

I am thinking Nika Muhl will be drafted in the first round. What WNBA team wouldn’t want her big time after watching her handling of Caitlin Clark last night. Also a great backup point guard, and her shooting has really improved. Nika definitely upped her draft status this game. Anyone else think she will be invited to attend on draft night?

I always thought so. Total team player and an offensive game still developing. Great defender and passer.

 

[Millenial23]

Can't she be drafted and then "suspended" or something like that to go play for her Olympic team? Then she gets her chance next year with that team?

 

[and one]

Players say they want to play in the W so they can compete against the best. That's fine and I understand the sentiment. My issue with the W is that rookie contracts (up to 3 yrs and 4th yr option) barely pay a living wage. The first draft pick doesn't get much more than the last pick and none can make near a $100k a year under the rookie contract. Plus the W has a hard cap so if too many veterans get max contracts a roster spot can't be filled. Why the pay scale is so low has been well chewed over but no matter how good the reasons may be, on just WNBA pay a player will have a hard time finding an apartment they can afford. A player without NIL/endorsement money has to get a second job, either by playing a second season overseas or doing whatever at a non-basketball related job.

So.... I'm in the camp of those who think Nika should blow the W off, and hopefully be able to do better financially and play more overseas.

 

[stamfordhusky]

I believe that Nika just might go home so that she can prepare for the Olympics with the Croatian National team.

I didn't think that Croatia qualified for the Olympics.

 

[MSGRET]

2024 Olympic Women's Basketball Teams

Group A.............Group B.................Group C
Serbia.................Canada...................Germany
Spain...................Nigeria...................USA
China...................Australia................Japan
Puerto Rico.......France....................Belgium

I didn't think that Croatia qualified for the Olympics.

You're correct above are the qualifying teams.

 

[Geew1992]

I think Nika should concentrate on European basketball, where she can make more $, and be close to home. At best, she will be a second round WNBA draft pick. Despite her great defense and adequate three point shot, her ability to create her own shot is suspect.

I have loved her for four years. Her drive, intensity and spirit have been infectious at UConn. But my analysis of her skills is, by necessity,
dispassionate.

Why can’t she do both like so many others do?

 

[Jackalope]

Nika fits the mold of a number of successful WNBA players who had long careers: Lock-Down defender, great passer, high BBall IQ, team leader, and decent 3 pt shot. Teresa Weatherspoon, , Briann Janurary, Alana Beard (later part of her career) are some that come to mind.

 

[CL82]

I believe that Nika just might go home so that she can prepare for the Olympics with the Croatian National team.

If she gets a chance to play in the WNBA she should definitely take it. It is the elite league for women's basketball and there are very few slots available. I'm not sure she gets another bite at the apple if she skips this one.

 

[ochoopsfan]

I saw this video, posted on X, showing a young Nika Muhl guarding a young Caitlin Clark...cute....but not real

 

[CL82]

I saw this video, posted on X, showing a young Nika Muhl guarding a young Caitlin Clark...cute....but not real

Well someone learned how to "face guard."

 

[Huskee11]

I saw this video, posted on X, showing a young Nika Muhl guarding a young Caitlin Clark...cute....but not real

The Friday night horrible call ref would probably call a technical on "Nika" for taunting

 

[ShmiCO]

On a stream after the North Carolina victory there was some admiration for Nika both for the plan against Caitlin, which many felt NC used as well, and her execution. One comment was "Nika Muhl played her way into a draft spot." And this...

 

[hoopsfan22]

Does anyone think Nika gets invited to the draft event? Or will she just have to sit home and wait for the phone to ring as training camps get underway? Aaliyah will be there... would like to see Nika there too but I think they only invite people that are guaranteed to get picked.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I think Nika should concentrate on European basketball, where she can make more $, and be close to home. At best, she will be a second round WNBA draft pick. Despite her great defense and adequate three point shot, her ability to create her own shot is suspect.

I have loved her for four years. Her drive, intensity and spirit have been infectious at UConn. But my analysis of her skills is, by necessity,
dispassionate.

I agree 100%. Nika will be a star in Europe. Once she starts to develope a jump shot and create her own shot, add in her defense, she'll be the steal of the wnba draft in 2025

 

[MilfordHusky]

As with every player in the W, a good fit is required for the player to be chosen and to succeed. I’m sure there are some teams that wouldn’t pick Nika in the first 36. In contrast, there may be some who would draft her in the first 12. The knock on Nika is that she can be reluctant to shoot. If a team is looking for a good distributor, lock-down defender, and Energizer Bunny, Nika may be the best option. I’m not sure she should be at the draft, but I expect she will be in the draft.

 

[WiseWillie]

The relatively few openings are somewhat a by-product of the salary cap. Most championship contending teams find it is better to spend the $70,000 or so on upgrading a rotation player, say one of your top 8, than using it for a 12th player. The rebuilding teams might want to try to develop a rookie, and they can't use their cap space sometimes because good free agents don't want to come there.

In addition the high picks go to the weak teams, and the late first round picks in addition to being lesser prospects, go to the better teams that often are shooting for a roster of 11, not 12.

A bit off topic about Nika but very valid comments about the way the teams in the W use the draft.

As far as Nika, hopefully she gets a chance to play in the WNBA as she would be a great addition to the roster coming off the bench when a spark is needed on defense swell as replacing the SG when needed on offense.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I predict Nika will be drafted in the second half of the second round. Whether she will make a roster is a different issue.

 

[oldhusky]

Does anyone think Nika gets invited to the draft event? Or will she just have to sit home and wait for the phone to ring as training camps get underway? Aaliyah will be there... would like to see Nika there too but I think they only invite people that are guaranteed to get picked.

She may be a difficult call on getting invited. Based on pure draft projections maybe not, but many would like to see her be there so from a ratings standpoint maybe yes. I hope she gets invited and goes even if she has to wait a bit to hear her name called.

I wonder if the criteria is even the same this year. As I understand it they are in a much bigger venue this year, maybe because of the Caitlin affect. if so they might be able to invite far more players and families than in the past.

 

[Audi1954]

Does anyone think Nika gets invited to the draft event? Or will she just have to sit home and wait for the phone to ring as training camps get underway? Aaliyah will be there... would like to see Nika there too but I think they only invite people that are guaranteed to get picked.

Yes she will!

 

[Audi1954]

She may be a difficult call on getting invited. Based on pure draft projections maybe not, but many would like to see her be there so from a ratings standpoint maybe yes. I hope she gets invited and goes even if she has to wait a bit to hear her name called.

I wonder if the criteria is even the same this year. As I understand it they are in a much bigger venue this year, maybe because of the Caitlin affect. if so they might be able to invite far more players and families than in the past.

They really should invite more, but it may be uncomfortable for some to sit there while cameras keep sweeping across the room and they haven’t been picked.