Ex-UConn star Nika Muhl learns WNBA rule she didn't know - 'Very excited about that'

Rookie Nika Muhl was pleased to learn that the WNBA offers players six fouls disqualification compared to the five-foul NCAA limit she experienced at UConn . Muhl also raved about the physicality of the WNBA after her selection in the second round of the draft by the Seattle Storm .

“Much more contact allowed which I like. I like that a lot,” Muhl said during the Storm's media day. “Six fouls, honestly, I had no idea that that is the case [in the WNBA]. So, I'm very excited about that.”

Before entering the professional ranks, Muhl spent four seasons with UConn, carving out a role as a defensive stopper and primary facilitator. The Croatian international finished with 1.5 defensive win shares, ranking 82nd out of more than 3,300 eligible NCAA players while poking away 1.3 steals per game.

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Her most impressive defensive performance was likely in April's Final Four, where Muhl drew the first half defensive assignment on Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark and limited her to just 3-of-11 shooting from the field. Muhl did commit 88 fouls in the 23-24 season, among the most in college basketball, but she can apply her patented physical defense with more impunity in the WNBA.

The three-time national semifinalist was also among the best passers in college basketball, finishing second in America with 245 total assists. She shot better than 40 percent from three-point range. But a meager scoring volume - Muhl averaged just six points a game in Storrs - saw the point guard struggling to imagine a professional career stateside before her draft stock surged in her final March Madness.

"I never thought of myself as ever being at the draft,” Mühl said. “I never thought of myself ever of getting drafted. I'm not saying I didn't believe in it or didn't work hard towards it. It was just something that seemed so far away and so much bigger than me. I kind of learned how to take it day by day and just put my head down and work and be focused on each game at a time.”

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Hailing from the Croatian capital of Zagreb, Muhl's Balkan heritage has delayed the start of her professional career. While no longer a student, Muhl's status in the United States is contingent on a student visa, and with Seattle playing its opening preseason bout in Edmonton, Canada, Muhl would be able to leave the country but not re-enter it. Australian Storm player Ezi Magbegor also missed the game, which the Storm lost 84-79 against the Los Angeles Sparks.

It's a disappointing snag for Muhl, who expressed enthusiasm about her first professional game: "I’m very excited. I feel like we all are. You can feel the excitement and the energy on the court. Everybody’s very impatient, like positively waiting for that game. It’s the first one.”

Muhl's status on the Storm's regular-season roster is hardly secured, likely battling with Jade Melbourne for the backup point guard role. She should have an opportunity to prove her worth before the final round of roster decisions May 13 in the Storm's final scrimmage Tuesday in Seattle against the Phoenix Mercury .