Prospect Spotlight: Nathaniel Mueller (2021)
After a dazzling performance at our Top 250 Expo earlier this fall, it became very clear that ADM freshman Nathaniel Mueller was one of Iowa’s best 2021 prospects.
Even at 5’5, Mueller was carving up the competition, and can be utterly dominant even when he’s several inches smaller than the competition.
He explained the mindset he’s got to have being a smaller guard.
“When you’re smaller, you really have to have a chip on your shoulder when you play bigger people,” said Mueller. “There’s no backing down, and you have to be mentally tough.”
As for his particular set of skills, it’s true what they say: speed kills.
“I think what makes me good is how quick I am, and using that quickness against bigger guards. And really I just try and be a leader out there, a vocal leader,” said Mueller. “And on defense, I try and turn defense into offense with steals and stuff, that really gets me going.”
Mueller spent his spring and summer with Kingdom Hoops Elite 14U, and says playing for former Iowa State Cyclones shooting guard Jake Sullivan has been key to his development.
“Kingdom Hoops is really good, Jake Sullivan has taught me a lot; I’ve gotten a lot of shots up with him this summer. I thought me and (Des Moines North guard) Malik Allen played well together, playing alongside him was fun.”
And now, as Mueller heads into his freshman season with the Tigers, the goal is to help his team capture wins, at whatever level he plays at.
If he’s carving up competition like he’s been the past several months, we’re guessing he’ll land with the varsity by season’s end.
“I’m just waiting on an opportunity to show what I can do at ADM, and really wherever they need me and whatever they need me to do, whether it’s to score or assist on JV or varsity, then I’ll do that,” said Mueller. “I’m just looking for an opportunity, really.”