Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl took a trip down memory lane in a heartwarming post wishing her former UConn teammate a happy birthday.

Taking to social media, Muhl shared a tribute to Huskies star guard Azzi Fudd on her 22nd birthday. “Happy birthday AZ. Missing these moments,” she captioned a story of the pair embracing during their time together at UConn.

Muhl and Fudd graced the court as teammates during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, propelling the Huskies to the Championship Game in the 2022 women’s NCAA tournament – during which UConn lost to South Carolina, 64-49.

Following a strong senior year in which she averaged 6.9 points, 6.5 assists and four rebounds over 39 games – all of which she started – Muhl was selected No. 14 overall by the Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Discussing her decision to depart UConn in favor of turning pro, she told reporters back in March: “I feel like it’s been such an emotional year for me, what this program has done for me.

“They took me and my team to Croatia to play in front of my people, brought my sister over to play in Gampel, and then Senior Night … I mean, the whole year was too emotional for me, so many things going on.

“I’m forever grateful and thankful that I was able to share those moments with the whole team,” Muhl added. “And I’m so thankful to Coach and the whole coaching staff and the whole program, everybody, to be able to make that happen for me. I just felt like with all of that, it was the best year of my life.”

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Nika Muhl departed UConn her senior year to turn pro in the WNBA

Nika Muhl departed UConn her senior year to turn pro in the WNBA ( 

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During her rookie season in the WNBA, Muhl averaged 3.6 minutes per game over 16 contests with the Storm. She saw the most playing time in Seattle’s last game of the season versus the Phoenix Mercury, during which she recorded three assists, two points, two rebounds and one steal in 14 minutes.

While playing overseas during the league’s offseason last month, Muhl suffered a torn ACL and meniscus after suiting up for Besiktas in the SuperCup Women’s matchup against Fenerbahce. Shortly after sustaining the freak injury, the 23-year-old thanked her supporters for all the well wishes, adding that she was ready to attack her recovery head-on.

“Anyone that knows me knows I work my — off all the time. This time isn’t gonna be any different,” the UConn-product began. “I appreciate all the love and support so much – yall really make this easier for my heart.

“I am grateful for all the people around me that are true testaments of what belief and perseverance can achieve after being denied hooping. This is just another opportunity for me to compete, this time against myself. Not to be cocky, but that’s an easy W.”

Fudd, meanwhile, has yet to play for the Huskies this season while continuing to recover from an ACL injury she suffered during practice her junior year.