Seattle Storm rookie Nika Muhl has been one of the leaders in the WNBA fashion world during her first year in the league and she brought out another stunning look for the team's must-win showdown with league MVP A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night. Muhl and the Storm dropped Game 1 of their series with the back-to-back WNBA champion Aces over the weekend and are looking to stay alive with a win on Tuesday night to force a Game 3. Prior to the game at Michelob ULTRA Arena, the Croatian Sensation pulled up in a sparkly all-black power suit to show she is all business. For what could be the final game of her rookie campaign, Muhl made the look count. The Seattle Storm finished the regular season with a 25-15 record which was good enough for third in the Western Conference and fifth-place overall. Seattle had the lead entering the fourth quarter of Game 1, so they'll be looking to repeat that magic to keep their season alive.
Muhl was forced to miss the first few games of the WNBA preseason because of visa issues and she has received very limited minutes to start her professional career, but "The Minister of Defense" is still a fan-favorite. Next year, with a full offseason to prepare, the WNBA is in for a treat both on and off the court.
Seattle Storm's Nika Muhl continued to turn heads with her stylish pregame outfits ahead of Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Despite limited minutes during the regular season, the rookie has consistently delivered when it comes to fashion. Nika Muhl rocked a bright turquoise satin robe top, pairing it with white straight shorts and silver high heels. Her look was completed with rose gold-tinted sunglasses. After a standout career at UConn, Muhl was selected 14th overall in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Hailing from Croatia, she missed the Storm's first four games while awaiting a P1A work visa to replace her UConn student visa.
Throughout the season, Muhl didn’t get many minutes. Her first and only field goal came in the Storm’s regular season finale, where she recorded career highs in points (two), assists (three), rebounds (two), minutes (14) and field goal attempts (five). Before that game, Muhl had gone scoreless in 15 appearances, with eight total rebounds and four assists. With Nika Muhl enjoying limited playing time, Storm coach Noelle Quinn noted after the regular season that the rookie must stay prepared, as she is part of a championship-contending team. The coach also praised Muhl's work ethic behind the scenes. Muhl previously expressed her support for Quinn’s decisions. She said it is necessary for her to realize the importance of earning her place in the WNBA, and said she is enjoying the process.
The Storm brought their A-game, at least when it came to their WNBA playoff fits. Nika Muhl does not get much playing time for the Seattle Storm, so she makes her mark with her stylish wardrobe. The Seattle Storm rookie and former UConn Huskies star wore a flowy blue blouse with pastel designs, chic knee-high shorts, and high heels. The color palette was perfect for another Seattle franchise, the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. Her teammate Nneka Ogwumike went one step further and wore a Kraken jersey for her pregame ensemble. On the court, the Storm are the underdogs vs. just-named unanimous MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-three series. The now three-time wore her own stunner accepting the WNBA’s biggest honor, and Storm teammate Gabby Williams won the playoff fit-off for the day with her unreal high-slit, midriff combo with matching knee-high boots. The 23-year-old Muhl is considered one of the most fashionable WNBA players in the entire league, even in her first year. Despite mostly riding the pine, the former UConn player is beloved by her former teammates, especially the equally fashionable future No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, who celebrated Muhl’s first points in the WNBA a couple of days ago. So while Muhl would only see garbage time in the WNBA playoffs, her fashion game will continue to shine.
Ahead of Tuesday’s WNBA matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm, Nika Muhl and Jewell Loyd turned the tunnel into a runway, each sporting a distinct, personalized look as part of Smartwater’s collaboration with the WNBA. The initiative brings together athletes and stylists to create eye-catching ensembles that fuse performance with personal style, with Smartwater serving as the ultimate accessory. Muhl, the point guard for the Seattle Storm, donned a loose-fitting gray pantsuit, personalized by a graffiti-inspired print in shades of blue, orange and red. The blazer, buttoned for a sleek silhouette, added a touch of athletic-inspired edge, while her choice of metallic pointed-toe pumps brought an elevated finish. The Croatian player completed her look with a pair of rectangular sunglasses, enhancing her outfit’s modern edge. Stylist Brittany Hampton who works with other athletes including Paige Bueckers, Sloane Stephens, Russell Westbrook and Victor Cruz worked closely with Muhl to curate the ensemble, blending comfort and style in a way that reflects Muhl’s on-court energy. Jewell Loyd, known for her on-court dominance, took a more relaxed approach to her tunnel walk attire. The Seattle Storm shooting guard opted for a beige utility vest, layered over a black T-shirt. Paired with camouflage cargo pants and Nike Dunk sneakers, Loyd’s look balanced rugged functionality with a casual streetwear aesthetic. The combination showcased her personal style, embracing both practicality and a cool, laid-back vibe.
Nika Muhl is not having the best rookie season with the Seattle Storm but the same couldn't be said about her fashion statements. The WNBA rookie's dressing style got a shoutout from her boyfriend Nahiem Alleyne on social media. The boyfriend of the Storm player posted a picture of Muhl on his Instagram story. Muhl showed up in a khaki dress before the game against the LA Sparks. She wore a khaki frock and matched it with a loose full-sleeve top and a black goggle. Alleyne seemed impressed with his girlfriend's dress. He reposted the picture from the Storm's post on IG. In his IG story, Alleyne declared that the ensemble was among his top five favorite dresses of Muhl. Nika Muhl has become a fan favorite in the WNBA. She could not play the first few games because of a visa-related issue. However, even after she was granted the visa and was allowed to play, she hasn't been able to make it into the regular rotation. So far, the 23-year-old has played 15 games for the Storm and only averages 2.9 minutes per game. She has played a total of just 43 minutes in the regular season and has failed to score a point. Muhl also played one preseason game for the team and scored six points. According to Athlon Sports, Nika Muhl's boyfriend Nahiem Alleyne is a basketball player too. Alleyne didn't declare for the NBA Draft this year despite completing his college career. He played Division 1 college basketball for five years with three different colleges. Alleyne played three years for Virginia Tech and then transferred to UConn in his fourth year. He played just one year at the latter program. However, it was at UConn that he met Muhl. For his last year, Alleyne transferred to St. John's University, where he played during the 2023-24 season. After college, Alleyne signed a one-year deal with AEK B.C., a pro basketball club in Athens, Greece. Although the couple have never been outspoken about their relationship, they continue to support each other through social media. They regularly post stories dedicated to one another. Despite being on another continent, Alleyne is often seen posting Muhl’s awesome outfits on his IG story. Nika Muhl is from Croatia and Alleyne is also playing in Europe. The two might meet up when the opportunity arises, in that continent.
The Smartwater x WNBA collaboration celebrates the intersection of sports, style and culture, with the goal of creating looks that embody forward movement. Last week, Las Vegas Aces player Kelsey Plum also took part in the initiative, debuting her own take on fashion for her tunnel walk look.
“As an athlete, I'm always trying to evolve. Same goes for my fashion sense.” The WNBA tunnel was deemed an official fashion destination by Vogue in May of 2024, and the hottest runway of the year by Harper’s Bazaar. While it may seem like a dash of title-friendly hyperbole, the point stands as the surge of attention to tunnel walk style in the WNBA this season is undeniable and, frankly, well deserved. “It's one thing to have money but it's another to have style.” Kelsey Plum who has been central in the tunnel walk conversation, told Complex. “I think fashion is a great way to express yourself and it's been cool to see how much the W[NBA] has blown up in the fashion sense.” Her excitement for the recognition that players are getting on their pre-game style is palpable. “They've always been there so it's cool to see it being highlighted,” said the three-time WNBA All-Star. “These women are beautiful, they're sexy, and they have a great sense of themselves. And now people are like, ‘whoa, look at these gorgeous women– dang!’” With the help of acclaimed stylist Sydney Bordonaro, Kelsey’s outfits are crafted to foreshadow the action ahead. “I think it depends game to game,” she explained.“I definitely love the all-blacks and just [showing up] in full killer-mode because you're going to play basketball and I'm a competitor, so you’ll probably see a lot more of the edgier fits for playoffs and bigger games.” For the recent launch of her partnership with Smartwater, Kelsey teamed up with renowned designer and stylist Brittany Hampton to piece together a look for the campaign.“This was the first look that we've done together,” the two-time WNBA champion said. “But I know for me, I like trying out new things and working with new people, and new ideas– I think that's what fashion is, right? It's always evolving, always changing, so we'll see where it goes.” For the shoot, Kelsey and Brittany “tried a bunch of different things,” according to Kelsey. “But I'm an all black girlie– which actually ended up going really well with the Smartwater alkaline bottle. It was also New York Fashion Week so I was like ‘Britt, we have to elevate this a little bit, let's do it fierce.’ I really loved the fit [we settled on]. It was sexy and edgy but definitely still me.” Kelsey emphasizes the power that fashion holds in expressing individuality, all while she loves to sport her signature black monochrome. “I want to be someone that can pull off a lot of different genres– sporty, edgy, sexy, elevated, low key,” she said.“That's what's so cool about fashion, you can be super creative and try new things to see what works for you. I'm always watching things, getting new ideas, and finding inspiration. For the most part, I'm pretty much just open to trying new things and just grow. As an athlete, I'm always trying to evolve. Same goes for my fashion sense.”
This push for continuous growth and evolution is evident in both arenas for Kelsey. Following her devastating Achilles tear in 2020, she adjusted to a role off the bench and nabbed the Sixth Player of the Year award in 2021. After returning to the starting lineup for the 2022 season, Kelsey led the team in scoring alongside the growing legend that is A’ja Wilson, pushing the Aces to their first title. As A’ja has continued in her journey toward GOAT status, grabbing another MVP this year, Kelsey continued to adjust and evolve. This year she maintained her typical scoring punch, chipping in 17.8 points per game on the highest scoring team in the league, all while navigating the crevices of space that exist alongside Wilson’s transcendent midrange brilliance.
“I think that a lot of times when you have success, you just try to repeat it,” she said about her evolving role and the Aces’ up and down season in their quest for a third straight WNBA title. “But it's a new year, new variables, new people– everything is new. What got you there is not going to get you to the next, so you’ve got to adapt and reinvent the wheel. So what won you last year is not going to win you the next.”
Things got off to a rocky start for the Aces this year. An injury to six-time All-Star Chelsea Gray didn’t help, as she missed the team’s first 12 games. That stretch included the Aces first three-game losing streak in five years. Sitting at 5-5 – the Aces had a .500 record for the first time since the third game of the 2021 season – the team finally looked normal, human even, and ripe for the picking.
“We've lost some games and the league has been really tough this season,” Kelsey said, emphasizing the importance of taking it one game at a time.”You can't get too far ahead. I just kind of stay focused on the next game and I know my teammates do too, so it's good to have teammates that can lock in on things that matter.”
That focus won out for the champs. They followed the three-game losing streak with a six-game winning streak. Six Aces were named to Olympic teams, with four on the US Olympic 5x5 team, including Kelsey. The mid-season Olympic break seemed to have helped the team, as the Aces posted an 11-5 record after the break, ending the season on a 9-1 stretch, with Wilson missing the lone loss.
“People get caught up with statistics when, to be honest, I think a lot of people's statistics are empty,” Kelsey lamented. “I think that we should put more emphasis on winning even if people have lesser numbers. Those people should be appreciated more because in my mind, we should value winning a lot more than we do in our society.”
The words ring loudly coming from the woman who set the record for most points scored in Division I history during her time at Washington. But individual records are made to be broken, a fact Kelsey knows all too well after Caitlin Clark broke that scoring record in her final season at Iowa. Championships, however, live on, and Kelsey is steadfast that winning remains the focus for herself and her team.
“If someone scores 20 and the [team ultimately loses the game] it's still like, oh, they had 20. No offense, it doesn't matter,” Kelsey stated matter of factly. “That's kind of my philosophy on it. I would say less flash, less highlights, more substance.”
Now the Aces look toward carrying out that mantra and completing the ultimate goal. As dangerous a 4 seed as the league has ever seen, the job’s not done. A date with their rival and No. 1 seed New York Liberty looms in Round 2, and history beyond that, it seems the Aces are ready and Kelsey will be instrumental alongside the newly minted unanimous MVP.
“Don't get me wrong it's been hard, this has been the hardest season I've played in the W,” Kelsey said when asked about the Aces’ championship chances. “But now we're in the playoffs, and we have an experienced team and I feel very confident in the talent that we have. We'll take care of it.”
