Kit Mueller

Christopher J. Mueller
Personal information
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Career information
High school Downers Grove South HS
College Princeton
Playing career 1991–1992 or 1993
Position center
Career highlights and awards

Christopher J. "Kit" Mueller (born c. 1971) 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 Men's Division I Basketball Tournaments.

He matriculated to Princeton University, after an injury late in his senior year caused other Division I schools to withdraw their offers. As of 2011, he continues to rank second and fourth in school history in career assists (381) and points (1546), respectively. He led the team in rebounds all four seasons and in points, assists and 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 Men's Division I Basketball Tournament first round 50–49 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 Downers Grove South High School. As a freshman, he led the sophomore team with 18 points per game. He came off the bench for the varsity team as a sophomore to average 10 points per game as a 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) 185-pound (84 kg) 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 varsity letterman,[2] and was ranked by the Chicago Sun-Times among the preseason top 50 Metro Chicago basketball players.[9] Off The Glass, a national basketball magazine, ranked him among the 19 best basketball players in the state of Illinois, along with Walter Bond, Marcus Liberty, Brian Banks and Rodell Davis.[10] At the beginning of December of his senior season, the team was ranked 23rd in the Chicago Sun-Times' Metro Chicago top 25,[11] and there was talk of the team improving on the 23–6 record of the prior year.[12] He led the West Suburban Conference in scoring and rebounding most of the season and was an All-Conference selection.[13][14][15] Mueller posted his career-high 45 points on March 3, 1987 in an 83–47 victory against 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 SAT[18] and a 31 on his ACT,[17] was a highly recruited high school basketball player.[19] However, by early March 1987, he had not signed a National Letter of Intent as a commitment to any school.[20] At that time, he was keeping a pair of piranhas at home in an aquarium and accidentally injured his left foot by breaking the aquarium's glass.[18] The resulting injury caused severe damage to his leg including a severed achilles tendon; he had surgery to repair the damage in late March.[19][21] Division I schools like Northwestern University withdrew their scholarship offers;[18] however, Princeton maintained an interest, with supporters like 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.[28] During his sophomore season, the 1988–89 team earned a #1 vs. #16 matchup in the first round of the 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament with their Pete Carril-coached princeton offense. The New York Times reported that the matchup seemed comical to some even though Carill had a system that frustrated many offensive systems and had already produced upsets.[29] In the St. Patrick's Day Georgetown game, the 16th-seeded Tigers were 23 point underdogs according to the Las Vegas bookmakers and Dick Vitale had promised to serve as a Tiger ballboy if they won. Entering the game, the last four Ivy League representatives in the tournament had lost in the first round by an average of 35 points.[30] During the game, Mueller's defensive assignment was Mourning, and he contributed 9 points and 8 assists to Princeton's 49-point effort.[30] During the game, Mueller played beyond the foul line on the offensive end, forcing Mourning to leave passing lanes open for back-door attacks.[31] Although the strategy enabled Princeton to stay in the game, Mourning had seven blocked shots, including two in the final fifteen seconds.[31] Mueller's final shot was deflected by Mourning, which is remembered by Princeton fans as an uncalled foul.[32] The team finished with a 19–8 (11–3) record.[22] Later in the same tournament, 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 1989–90 Tigers to a repeat Ivy League championship as the Ivy League Player of the Year. The team earned a 13 seed for the 1990 NCAA Tournament.[38] The team finished with a 20–7 (11–3) record after losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks by a 68–64 margin. Mueller was one of only six Tigers to appear in the game and led the team with 19 points.[39] As a junior, Mueller earned a third team Academic All-America recognition from 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 birth in the 1991 NCAA Men's Division I 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,[22] and earned first team Academic All-America honors.[45][46] 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][47] 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 continues to remain 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%.[48] 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.[49][50] On March 1, 2013, Ian Hummer passed him as well.[51]

Post graduate

After graduation, Mueller played professional basketball in Switzerland.[52][53] He then became a professional hedge fund trader,[54] 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.[55][56] In 1998, he won a 3-on-3 tournament in Dallas with Rogers and Robinson.[57] 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.[54][58]

References

  1. ↑ Leptich, John (1986-02-03). "A Junior Grows Into Center Stage". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  2. 1 2 Young, Linda (1986-12-22). "The Superman Of Downers Grove S.". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  3. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-01-14). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 85.
  4. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-02-25). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 89.
  5. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-03-08). "Wheaton N. profits from Downers S.". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 97. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  6. ↑ "Chicago Area All-Conference Selections". Chicago Sun-Times. 1986-02-28. p. 99.
  7. ↑ "Oak Park League Champ". Chicago Tribune. 1986-05-11. p. 8. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  8. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-07-06). "Liberty hints his choice may be Georgetown". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 82.
  9. ↑ "Chicago Area's Top 50 Prospects". Chicago Sun-Times. 1986-11-17. p. 117.
  10. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-09-13). "Fenger's McConnell shifts gears". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 93.
  11. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-12-02). "Sun-Times Super 25". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 90.
  12. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1986-12-01). "Here's a 20-20 look at area's high school basketball". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 114.
  13. ↑ "All-Conference Selections". Chicago Sun-Times. 1987-03-06. p. 89.
  14. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1987-02-07). "Class A Venice has a standout in 6-4 Jesse Hall". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 81.
  15. 1 2 Bell, Taylor (1987-02-14). "9 from area among All-State nominees". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 93.
  16. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1987-03-04). "Top seeds knocked out in three regionals". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 112.
  17. 1 2 Bell, Taylor (1987-03-06). "All Chicago Area Basketball Profiles". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 88.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Young, Linda (1986-12-22). "Downers` Mueller Is High On Princeton". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  19. 1 2 3 Mueller, Kit (2009-01-30). "Testimonials: Kit Mueller '91 - Basketball". Princeton Varsity Club. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  20. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1987-03-06). "Star team exemplifies a winning tradition". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 88.
  21. ↑ Bell, Taylor (1987-03-22). "Bits". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 76.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "Men's Basketball Record Book • All-Time Results". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  23. ↑ "College Basketball; Syracuse Sets Back Villanova by 71-69". The New York Times. 1988-03-02. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  24. ↑ "College Basketball; St. John's Loses Fight-Marred Game". The New York Times. 1988-03-06. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  25. 1 2 3 2009–10 Ivy League Basketball Media Guide. IvyLeagueSports.com. p. 49.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Individual Rebounds Per Game (1954-55 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  27. 1 2 3 "Individual Steals and Blocks Per Game (1974-75 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  28. ↑ "Assorted Programs: 1988-89 Princeton Basketball: Tigers vs. Colgate University, November 30, 1988". Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  29. ↑ "N.C.A.A. Tournament; Tigers Stay in a Steady State". The New York Times. 1989-03-15. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  30. 1 2 Williamson, David (1989-04-05). "April 5, 1989: Georgetown 50, Princeton 49". Princeton Alumni Weekly. Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  31. 1 2 Moran, Malcolm (1989-03-18). "N.C.A.A. Tournament: East; Georgetown Survives Princeton Scare". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  32. 1 2 ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game. ESPN. 2009. pp. 368–9. ISBN 0-345-51392-4.
  33. ↑ "The 'Other' Freshman Earns Acclaim". The New York Times. 1989-03-27. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  34. ↑ Lopresti, Mike (2005-03-15). "No shining moments yet for No. 16 seeds". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  35. 1 2 3 "Men's Ivy League Outstanding Performers". IvyLeagueSports.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  36. 1 2 3 "Individual Assists Per Game (1974–75 to 1996–97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  37. 1 2 3 "Individual Points Per Game (1900-01 to 1996-97)" (PDF). Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  38. ↑ "Princeton Still Confident". The New York Times. 1990-03-15. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  39. ↑ Brown, Clifton (1990-03-16). "Midwest Regional; Razorbacks Deal Tigers a Heartbreaker". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  40. ↑ 2009–10 Ivy League Basketball Media Guide. IvyLeagueSports.com. p. 38.
  41. ↑ "College Basketball; Hoyas Run Away From the Huskies". The New York Times. 1991-02-24. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  42. ↑ Conklin, Mike (1991-03-14). "- Some ABCs: Before the NCAA field of 64 begins...". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  43. ↑ Myslenski, Skip (1991-03-11). "Buckeyes Have It-a Top Seed: Ohio St. Gets Midwest Nod Over Indiana". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  44. ↑ Vecsey, George (1991-03-17). "Sports of the Times; These Tigers Were Definitely Burning Bright". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  45. ↑ Ginnetti, Toni (1991-03-08). "Howard, Mueller Academic All-U.S.". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 91.
  46. ↑ "Sports People; Academic Honors". The New York Times. 1991-03-10. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  47. ↑ Wallace, William N. (1991-02-25). "Carril Demands Versatility". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  48. ↑ "Men's Basketball Record Book • Individual & Team Records". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. March 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  49. ↑ "Princeton 61 (20-12, 10-4 Ivy); Pittsburgh 82 (19-16, 5-13 Big East)". ESPN. 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  50. ↑ "Davis Becomes School's Second-Leading Scorer, but Tigers Lose to Pitt". Princeton University. 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  51. ↑ "In Must-Win Game, @Princeton_Hoops Outlasts Harvard 58-53". 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  52. ↑ "Princeton in the Pros". Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  53. ↑ Riley, Steve (1992-02-28). "Princeton's good year can get better". USA Today. p. C5. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  54. 1 2 DeSimone, Bonnie (2003-02-08). "Schools chief aims to teach a lesson-- on the court". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  55. ↑ Alexander, Rachel (1993-08-02). "Kids, Corporate Teams Score Repeat Crowns". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 86.
  56. ↑ Zwecker, Bill (1994-07-29). "Going Once, Going Twice, Go to Jail". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 16.
  57. ↑ Vecsey, George (1998-03-15). "Sports of The Times; The 30-Second Weave Is Not for Everybody". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  58. ↑ Conklin, Mike (2001-07-11). "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 2011-11-05.
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