David Cox Photography

The last 2 seasons have been nothing to brag about for the Fraport Skyliners as they begin a new chapter in their history in the second division Pro A. They began the transfer period this summer wanting to rely on college rookies as Aiden Warnholtz, Cameron Henry and David Muenkat (6’7”-F-2000, college: St.Francis X.) were all reeled in. 2 in the lot are guards and the third a power forward that averaged big man stats as a senior. This young man is David Muenkat. When you look back the last years, the Fraport Skyliners last had a dominant big man with Johannes Voigtmann who turned down an NBA gig with Washington and has been an Euroleague player since he left Frankfurt in 2016. But at 201cm, can you classify Muenkat as a big man? He is actually a power forward that put up double double stats in college, but lot more than that and could be another special gem that head coach Denis Wucherer some how found through his detailed world wide network. Like Warnholtz, he has had the opportunity to get pro experience the last 2 summers in the Canadian CEBL. He is a player doing all he can do be as versatile as possible, the same as Warnholtz. If there is anyone who can give his best 2 cents about his play, then it is current St. Francis Xavier University head coach Tyrell Vernon. Even if I only heard his voice, but when I asked him what the first thing that he thinks of when he hears the name David Muenkat, I could imagine a massive smile pop on his face. ‘He is an overall mismatch nightmare. He may not have the experience or total skill set yet, but if you put him on the floor, he will be a mismatch problem and he is still developing’, said Tyrell Vernon proudly. A mismatch problem and leadership qualities are something that David Muenkat should enrich the Fraport Skyliners with.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Johannes Voigtmann at Artland in 2014

David Muenkat was born on July 2,2000 in Brampton Ontario. He received his first basketball instruction at CIA Bounce playing AAU basketball. He also got early basketball experience playing at the Rise Center averaging 10,0ppg and 9,0rpg. He then played 2 seasons at Trinidad State Junior College where he played 58 games and made 46 starts. In his 2 seasons there he averaged 10,4ppg and 7,7rpg and shot a solid 55,3% from the field. He then was rewarded getting a NCAA gig with St. Francis College (NY) (NCAA). But like for so many people in this time, the season was affected by Covid. He only played 19 games averaging 5.9ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 60.0%. He scored in double figures in 4 games including a potent 21/11 game against LIU Brooklyn. He made one more change of scenery going back to Canada and playing 2 seasons with St. Francis Xavier University (U Sports). It was here where his career took off and where the successful working relationship began with head coach Tyrell Vernon. He was a double double monster in his 2 years and there is one major asset that could turn the German Pro A upside down. ‘He is extremely unique and is a high IQ guy. He is a finisher but continues to work on his three. He can cover many positions and has great foot speed. I see him being in the top 2%-3% in terms of athleticism and what his body can do’, warned Tyrell Vernon. The big question is can he continue to bring his game to a new level by incorporating a stable three point shot? In his last 3 seasons in school he only attempted 32 three’s making 10. ‘I feel like he always had a good form, but he simply never was in a situation to gain confidence. He is getting better, but there is a lot of progress still to be made, but he is making strides’, warned Tyrell Vernon. With the Fraport Skyliners he will be able to keep making progress under the guidance of assistant coach Klaus Perwas. Sometimes young players are still raw and have certain abilities off the radar, but with Muenkat, it’s all about grinding in the gym. ‘He doesn’t really have a hidden strength. He plays with extreme force, but when his game gets more polished, he will be very hard to stop on offense’, stressed Tyrell Vernon.

In his 2 years at St Francis Xavier University he played a total of 40 games. In his junior season he averaged 13.1ppg, Reb-3 (10.2rpg), 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 60.0% and in his senior year, he stepped up his scoring further averaging 16.3ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 63.7%. He had 17 double doubles and some real explosive monster games against Arcadia posting 25/18 stats, had 27 points against Queen’s and a 13/21 outing against Dalhousie. In his last college game, he led all scorers with 31 points and 11 boards, but new teammate Aiden Warnholtz had the last laugh having 23 points and 11 dimes and winning the U title. He can obviously dominate the paint on offense, but what kind of a defender is he? ‘At the moment, he is a solid defender. He has the ability switch 1-5. When he becomes more seasoned he will be able to demand all 5’, expressed Tyrell Vernon. He made big strides in his senior year, but not only on offense, but also through his leadership. ‘He found his voice. In his first year he found his athleticism and played away from the basket, but in his second year he led the team to wins. He isn’t shy. He will be the voice in the locker room. He is socially prepared for what is to come’, commented Tyrell Vernon. Like many Canadians that turn professional, he has been able to get added pro experience in the CEBL where he played 2 seasons with the Scarborough Shooting Stars averaging 5.3ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 58.1%. He scored in double figures 3 times and had a solid 18/8 game against Hamilton. This summer he upped his game averaging 8,2ppg and 5,9rpg and scored in double figures in 4 games including netting 21 points against Niagara and scooped down 14 rebounds including 7 offensive rebounds against Montreal. Having this added experience in the CEBL will be vital for him adjusting easier and quicker to the Pro A. ‘He continues to work on his catch and shooting. On defense he has all the physical tools. Now it’s all about being a step ahead of everyone else and knowing where everyone has to be’, added Tyrell Vernon.

It is obvious that when you have such a special player like David Muenkat, your going to have very fond memories in the 2 year working relationship. There wasn’t a single game he could pick out that he will remember the most, but moreover the whole time. ‘The biggest story with David is the enormous jump he made after coming from the NCAA. He is a totally different player and person to 2 years ago. 2 years ago he was undersized and now is a player that can do so much more. He made such a huge transformation in a short time, but he still has so much room to grow’, warned Tyrell Vernon. Of course Tyrell Vernon also had a special experience with him off the court. ‘We were close. He was very personal. He is one of those guys that will talk to you. I remember at the start of the season, we were at a team dinner. I told the guys, in order for us to have success, I have to coach you hard. Some guys can’t come to terms with that, but David said with no hesitation that he would do what was needed, because he wanted to be the best. And if that meant getting on him, it wasn’t a problem. His main focus is always winning and getting better’, stressed Tyrell Vernon. Leadership and that kind of diehard focus is something the Fraport Skyliners will dearly need in the 2023-2024 season. The first 3 imports may all be rookies. The more leadership they have the better. Who can’t say a rookie like David Muenkat can’t be a leader as a rookie? This team is on a mission and don’t want to solidify a spot in the Pro A as a regular team, but return back to where they came from. They will need all the added help possible even from rookies.

Tags : DAVID MUENKAT, SCARBOROUGH SHOOTING STARS, GERMAN BASKETBALL