Erwin Louis Mueller

This is an article about the basketball player. For the physicist, see Erwin Wilhelm Müller.

Erwin Louis Mueller (March 12, 1944 – June 7, 2018) was an American basketball player. A power forward/center, he attended the University of San Francisco where he was All–Conference and was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round (10th pick overall) of the 1966 NBA draft.

Early life Mueller was born on March 12, 1944, in Livermore, California. He attended Livermore High School, where he excelled on the basketball team under coach Leon "Lee" Williford. He led the team to two Diablo Valley Athletic League (DVAL) championships and Tournament of Champion (TOC) berths in 1960-61 and 1961-62. As a junior, he was DVAL scoring champion, and was named to the All-TOC team for averaging nearly 20 points a game.

College basketball Mueller played college basketball at the University of San Francisco (1963—66), at both center and forward. His nickname, "Mr. Inside", came from his defensive prowess in protecting the basket at the rim. He was selected All-Coast, All-Conference and was an All-American. During his senior year, Mueller averaged 18.4 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game. Over his three years at San Francisco, he averaged 12.1 points per game on a 50.2 field goal percentage, and 8.5 rebounds per game.

As a junior, his 24–5 USF team was in the 1965 NCAA tournament, winning the first game of the Western Regionals before losing to eventual national champion UCLA, 101–93. As a senior, the team participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and Mueller was named to the All-NIT Team. He was also selected by coaches to the All-Coast Team and was selected to the All-WCAC team that year. It was the expansion Bulls' first college draft. During his first season, Mueller averaged 26.7 minutes, 12.7 points, and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Bulls.

He was traded midway through his second season to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jim Barnes and a draft choice on January 9, 1968.

Regular season Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG STL BLK PPG

Playoffs Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG PPG