Mike Muscala

Mike Muscala's Biography

Born on July 1, 1991, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Michael Peter Muscala evolved into a formidable force in the sphere of professional basketball. Covering an illustrious career peppered with accolades and commendable performances, Muscala, fondly known by sports enthusiasts as “Mike”, consummated his career with eleven ground-breaking seasons in the NBA.

Under the auspices of teams including Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons, Muscala graced the national basketball courts. His journey began in Roseville, Minnesota, where he graduated from Roseville High School and later propelled towards his college years at Bucknell University, where he played for the Bucknell Bison.

At Bucknell, Muscala became a force to be reckoned with, garnering titles such as the 2011 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. This award came on the back of his stellar contribution to his team’s appearance at the NCAA tournament. Muscala’s secondary school journey was laden with accomplishments, such as First Team All-Patriot League, AP All-American Honorable Mention (2010-2011), and Academic All-America selection (2012-2013). On top of this, he was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award 2012-2013.

In 2013, Muscala took home the titles for the Patriot League Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, earning himself a place on the First-Team All-Conference. His name became synonymous with excellence when he became the first player in the League’s history to secure the Player of the Year and Tournament MVP twice.

Muscala’s 2012-2013 campaign marked a watershed moment in his college basketball journey, as he ascended the ranks to become Bucknell’s all-time leading scorer, a title that surpassed Al Leslie’s 32-year record. Bucknell paid homage to Muscala’s numerous contributions by retiring his number 31 in 2020.

With the 44th overall pick in the NBA draft on June 27, 2013, Muscala was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. Subsequently, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night, joining the Hawks for the 2013 NBA Summer League. By August 1, 2013, Muscala had signed a single-year deal with Río Natura Monbús Obradoiro of the Liga ACB. His stint in Spain saw him achieve a 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game average across 20 games before returning to the USA.

The Atlanta Hawks inked a multi-year deal with Muscala on February 27, 2014. He scored a season-high 15 points in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, which catapulted his reputation. In the off-seasons, he re-joined the Hawks for the 2014 and 2015 NBA Summer League.

Muscala’s impressive performances in the Atlanta Hawks continued into the 2016-17 season. He was bestowed with the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy in 2016 for perfectly encapsulating the community ambassador spirit displayed by Collier off the court. His contract was extended in July 2017, leading to memorable contributions such as a career-high 19 points in a game against the Chicago Bulls in March 2018.

Muscala’s commitment to his craft became evident in his subsequent trades involving teams such as Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. This cycle continued with Muscala signing a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2019, leading to his admirable achievement of a career-high six three-pointers during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021.

Despite undergoing a season-ending ankle surgery in March 2022, Muscala emerged triumphant. Later in August 2022, he re-signed with the Thunder, only to be traded to Boston Celtics in February 2023. His time in Boston was brief; Muscala was traded to the Washington Wizards in June 2023 and finally traded to the Detroit Pistons before being bought out in February 2024 after playing just 13 games.

Muscala returned to his roots when he re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in March 2024. Short of two years later, on July 13, he retired, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding performance and dedication to the sport of basketball. Throughout his career, he served as an epitome of Excellency, exuding perseverance, sportsmanship, and unwavering commitment to his craft, which will forever remain etched in the annals of professional basketball.