Storm’s backup point guard battle might be most intriguing roster decision
As first impressions go, rookie point guard Nika Muhl couldn’t have endeared herself any more to the Storm coaching staff and management than she did near the end on her first day of training camp.
Minutes after coach Noelle Quinn chastised the team for making too many turnovers, the former Connecticut Huskies star got the ball early in transition, spotted Jade Melbourne streaking along the sideline and perfectly lofted a three-quarter length pass over defenders that hit Melbourne in stride near the rim for a fast-break layup.
It was the kind of play that made Sue Bird, another ponytailed UConn playmaker, a Storm legend during her 21-year career in Seattle.
“Oh no, please don’t go there,” a smiling Muhl said when told of the comparison. “I don’t know about that. … I’m just trying to learn the plays.”
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Granted, it’s premature to presume Muhl will follow the footsteps of the WNBA’s all-time assist leader, considering the second-round pick, who was taken No. 14 overall, isn’t a lock to make the Storm roster.
Among the many personnel decisions Quinn will have to make during training camp, the Muhl-Melbourne competition for the backup point guard job behind Skylar Diggins-Smith is perhaps the most intriguing.
Considering their salary-cap restraints, the Storm are projected to retain 11 players, one shy of the WNBA limit and would be hard pressed to keep both Muhl and Melbourne, who would earn $67,249 and $64,144, respectively.
“We’re still evaluating, and it can go either way,” Quinn said. “Both have shown really good moments in camp. Jado is younger, but she has a year of experience with us and knows our system.
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