Kit Mueller

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Kit Mueller
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Career information
High school
undrafted
Playing career1991–?
PositionCenter
Career highlights and awards

Christopher J. "Kit" Mueller (born c. 1969) is a retired American basketball player. He played high school basketball in the Chicago metropolitan area for Downers Grove South High School. Subsequently, he starred for the Princeton Tigers men's basketball team, where he was a two-time Ivy League Men's Basketball Player of the Year (1990 and 1991) and three-time first team All-Ivy League player (1989, 1990 and 1991) as a center. He was also a two-time Academic All-America selection. As an All-Ivy League performer, he led his team to three consecutive Ivy League Championships and NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments.

He matriculated to

blocked shots three times each. He led the Ivy League in field goal percentage
three times and ranks third all-time in Princeton history in that statistic for his career.

The team earned three consecutive Ivy League championships during his career, including an undefeated conference record during his senior season. Despite the team's success and his individual accolades, his Princeton tenure was punctuated by three NCAA tournament first round losses by a total of seven points, most notably the March 17, 1989 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament first round 50–49 Georgetown vs. Princeton men's basketball game loss to the number-one seeded Georgetown Hoyas team featuring Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo as well as 1989 Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year Charles Smith.

After his collegiate career ended, Mueller played professional basketball in Switzerland. Then he returned to Chicago, where he became a hedge fund trader. In Chicago, he has played amateur 3-on-3 basketball with other Ivy League athletes at national competitions.

High school

Mueller attended

forward. He grew 2 inches (5.1 cm) and 20 pounds (9.1 kg) prior to his junior season and became a center. As a junior, his outside shot was still undeveloped,[1] but he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading his team to the 1986 Des Plaines Valley League championship and a second straight trip to the sectional finals.[2] The team was ranked in the Chicago Sun-Times Super 25 for a couple of weeks during the season.[3][4] He was benched for one game in early March of his junior year for disciplinary reasons by coach Dick Flaiz.[5] The Chicago Sun-Times named him the MVP of the league.[6] Mueller also played varsity tennis as a junior.[7] Following the school year, he played in the suburban summer basketball league at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.[8]

As a senior, he was his team's only returning

Montini High School.[16] By the end of his senior season, he was one of the 20 All-Chicago Area selections by the Chicago Sun-Times, in a class that included Eric Anderson, Bond, Liberty and Sam Mack, after averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds.[17] However, unlike Anderson, Liberty and Bond, he was not one of the 9 area All-State nominees.[15]

Mueller, who scored 1290 out of 1600 on his

John Rogers behind him.[18] As most of his scholarship offers were withdrawn, he began to focus on schools that could provide him an academic opportunity in the event that his basketball career was over. He eventually matriculated to Princeton unsure of whether he would ever play competitive basketball again.[19]

College

As a freshman, Mueller helped the 1987–88 Tigers win their final three games in March to finish the season with a 17–9 (9–5 Ivy League) record.[22] He posted 25 points in the March 1, 1988 67–65 victory against Penn.[23] Then, two games later in the final game of the season on March 5, he added 22 in 79–58 victory over league champion Cornell.[24] He finished the season as the Ivy League statistical champion in field goal percentage for the first of three times.[25] He led the team in rebounds and blocked shots.[26][27]

Mueller began his career wearing the number 55, but switched to 00 by his sophomore year.

Duke would use Christian Laettner at the top of the key, like Princeton had used Mueller, and eliminate Georgetown by shutting down Mourning.[33] The Princeton-Georgetown game is regarded as one of only a handful of close #1 vs. #16 matchups in NCAA tournament history.[34] For the season, he repeated as Ivy League field goal percentage champion.[25] He was a first-team All-Ivy honoree.[35] He led the team in points, rebounds, assists and blocked shots.[26][27][36][37]

As a junior, Mueller led the

College Sports Information Directors of America.[40] He was a first-team All-Ivy performer as well as Ivy League Player of the Year.[35] He led the team in points, rebounds, and assists.[26][36][37]

In a February 23, 1991, game against Cornell, Mueller earned his current position as Princeton's second all-time leading scorer one night after the 1990–91 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team had clinched its third consecutive Ivy League championship with a victory over Columbia.[41] The team went undefeated in the Ivy League and earned a berth in the 1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[22] After its strong tournament performances in the prior two seasons and strong regular season, the team earned a number 8 seed,[42] which was a record for the highest seed by an Ivy League school at the time.[43] The team had another close but disappointing loss, this time by a 50–48 margin to Villanova,[44] finishing with a 24–3 (14–0) record.[22] That year, senior Mueller served as team captain,[45] and earned first team Academic All-America honors.[46][47] That season marked the third year that Mueller led the team in points, assists and blocked shots and fourth time he led the team in rebounds.[26][27][36][37][48] For the season, he earned his third Ivy League field goal percentage championship.[25] He repeated as Ivy League Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Ivy performer for the third consecutive season.[35]

He remains prominent in the Princeton basketball record books. When Mueller ended his career, his 1546 career points trailed only Bill Bradley and his 381 career assists were also second in school history. His single-season assist totals of 140 in 1989-90 and 128 in 1990-91 remain second and fourth in school history. Only one other Tiger has totalled 11 assists in a game (a feat Mueller achieved three times). His career 59.5 field goal percentage is third in school history, as is his sophomore single-season rate of 64.9%.[49] A 2009 publication by ESPN ranked him among the five greatest basketball players in Princeton history.[32] On March 19, 2012, Doug Davis surpassed Mueller for second place on the Princeton scoring list.[50][51] On March 1, 2013, Ian Hummer passed him as well.[52]

Post graduate

After graduation, Mueller played professional basketball in Switzerland.[citation needed] He then became a professional hedge fund trader,[53] and has played in competitive 3-on-3 basketball leagues with various combinations of Ivy League athletes including Arne Duncan, Craig Robinson, Mitch Henderson and Rogers in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s. The mid-1990s versions of the team were Chicago area champions.[54][55] In 1998, he won a 3-on-3 tournament in Dallas with Rogers and Robinson.[56] Both the 2001 and 2003 versions of the team, named "Slow and Steady", qualified for national competition. The 2003 team with Duncan, Robinson, Henderson and Brian Earl made the national championship.[53][57] Mueller's daughter, Ellie, followed in her father's footsteps and now plays lacrosse for the Tigers.

References

  1. ^ Leptich, John (February 3, 1986). "A Junior Grows Into Center Stage". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Young, Linda (December 22, 1986). "The Superman Of Downers Grove S." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  3. ^ Bell, Taylor (January 14, 1986). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 85.
  4. ^ Bell, Taylor (February 25, 1986). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 89.
  5. ^ Bell, Taylor (March 8, 1986). "Wheaton N. profits from Downers S." Chicago Sun-Times. p. 97. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  6. ^ "Chicago Area All-Conference Selections". Chicago Sun-Times. February 28, 1986. p. 99.
  7. ^ "Oak Park League Champ". Chicago Tribune. May 11, 1986. p. 8. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  8. ^ Bell, Taylor (July 6, 1986). "Liberty hints his choice may be Georgetown". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 82.
  9. ^ "Chicago Area's Top 50 Prospects". Chicago Sun-Times. November 17, 1986. p. 117.
  10. ^ Bell, Taylor (September 13, 1986). "Fenger's McConnell shifts gears". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 93.
  11. ^ Bell, Taylor (December 2, 1986). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 90.
  12. ^ Bell, Taylor (December 1, 1986). "Here's a 20-20 look at area's high school basketball". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 114.
  13. ^ "All-Conference Selections". Chicago Sun-Times. March 6, 1987. p. 89.
  14. ^ Bell, Taylor (February 7, 1987). "Class A Venice has a standout in 6-4 Jesse Hall". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 81.
  15. ^ a b Bell, Taylor (February 14, 1987). "9 from area among All-State nominees". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 93.
  16. ^ Bell, Taylor (March 4, 1987). "Top seeds knocked out in three regionals". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 112.
  17. ^ a b Bell, Taylor (March 6, 1987). "All Chicago Area Basketball Profiles". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 88.
  18. ^ a b c d Young, Linda (December 22, 1986). "Downers' Mueller Is High On Princeton". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  19. ^ a b c Mueller, Kit (January 30, 2009). "Testimonials: Kit Mueller '91 - Basketball". Princeton Varsity Club. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  20. ^ Bell, Taylor (March 6, 1987). "Star team exemplifies a winning tradition". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 88.
  21. ^ Bell, Taylor (March 22, 1987). "Bits". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 76.
  22. ^ a b c d "Men's Basketball Record Book • All-Time Results". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. June 12, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  23. ^ "College Basketball; Syracuse Sets Back Villanova by 71-69". The New York Times. March 2, 1988. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  24. ^ "College Basketball; St. John's Loses Fight-Marred Game". The New York Times. March 6, 1988. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  25. ^ a b c 2009–10 Ivy League Basketball Media Guide. p. 49. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  26. ^ a b c d "Individual Rebounds Per Game (1954-55 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  27. ^ a b c "Individual Steals and Blocks Per Game (1974-75 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  28. ^ "Assorted Programs: 1988-89 Princeton Basketball: Tigers vs. Colgate University, November 30, 1988". Princeton University. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  29. ^ "N.C.A.A. Tournament; Tigers Stay in a Steady State". The New York Times. March 15, 1989. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  30. ^ a b Williamson, David (April 5, 1989). "April 5, 1989: Georgetown 50, Princeton 49". Princeton Alumni Weekly. Princeton University. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  31. ^ a b Moran, Malcolm (March 18, 1989). "N.C.A.A. Tournament: East; Georgetown Survives Princeton Scare". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  32. ^
    ISBN 978-0-345-51392-2
    .
  33. ^ "The 'Other' Freshman Earns Acclaim". The New York Times. March 27, 1989. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  34. ^ Lopresti, Mike (March 15, 2005). "No shining moments yet for No. 16 seeds". USA Today. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  35. ^ a b c "Men's Ivy League Outstanding Performers". IvyLeagueSports.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  36. ^ a b c "Individual Assists Per Game (1974–75 to 1996–97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  37. ^ a b c "Individual Points Per Game (1900-01 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  38. ^ "Princeton Still Confident". The New York Times. March 15, 1990. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  39. ^ Brown, Clifton (March 16, 1990). "Midwest Regional; Razorbacks Deal Tigers a Heartbreaker". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  40. ^ 2009–10 Ivy League Basketball Media Guide. p. 38. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  41. ^ "College Basketball; Hoyas Run Away From the Huskies". The New York Times. February 24, 1991. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  42. ^ Conklin, Mike (March 14, 1991). "- Some ABCs: Before the NCAA field of 64 begins..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  43. ^ Myslenski, Skip (March 11, 1991). "Buckeyes Have It-a Top Seed: Ohio St. Gets Midwest Nod Over Indiana". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  44. ^ Vecsey, George (March 17, 1991). "Sports of the Times; These Tigers Were Definitely Burning Bright". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  45. ^ Princeton Athletic Communications (June 12, 2009). "Men's Basketball Record Book • All-Time Results". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  46. ^ Ginnetti, Toni (March 8, 1991). "Howard, Mueller Academic All-U.S.". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 91.
  47. ^ "Sports People; Academic Honors". The New York Times. March 10, 1991. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  48. ^ Wallace, William N. (February 25, 1991). "Carril Demands Versatility". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  49. ^ "Men's Basketball Record Book • Individual & Team Records". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. March 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  50. ^ "Princeton 61 (20-12, 10-4 Ivy); Pittsburgh 82 (19-16, 5-13 Big East)". ESPN. March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  51. ^ "Davis Becomes School's Second-Leading Scorer, but Tigers Lose to Pitt". Princeton University. March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  52. ^ "In Must-Win Game, @Princeton_Hoops Outlasts Harvard 58-53". March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  53. ^ a b DeSimone, Bonnie (February 8, 2003). "Schools chief aims to teach a lesson-- on the court". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  54. ^ Alexander, Rachel (August 2, 1993). "Kids, Corporate Teams Score Repeat Crowns". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 86.
  55. ^ Zwecker, Bill (July 29, 1994). "Going Once, Going Twice, Go to Jail". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 16.
  56. ^ Vecsey, George (March 15, 1998). "Sports of The Times; The 30-Second Weave Is Not for Everybody". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  57. ^ Conklin, Mike (July 11, 2001). "City school chief stays on the ball: Whether it's a Chicago playground or national tournament, Arne Duncan --is a hoops junkie". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
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