Tyler Kolek (basketball)

Tyler John Kolek (born March 27, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the George Mason Patriots and the Marquette Golden Eagles. He was drafted as the 34th pick in the 2024 NBA draft by the New York Knicks.

Early life and high school career
Kolek grew up in Cumberland, Rhode Island and initially attended Cumberland High School. He transferred to St. George's School prior to the start of his senior year. Kolek was named the Rhode Island Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. He committed to playing college basketball for George Mason over offers from Elon, Northeastern, Holy Cross, and Vermont.

College career
Kolek began his college career at George Mason. He was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman after averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Following the end of the season, head coach Dave Paulsen was fired and Kolek entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Kolek ultimately transferred to Marquette. He averaged 6.7 points per game and led the Big East Conference with 5.9 assists per game in his first season with the Golden Eagles. Kolek was named the Big East Player of the Year and first team All-Big East as a junior. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Big East tournament after averaging 18.7 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the three games. Kolek averaged 12.9 points, 7.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals over 36 games on the season.

Kolek was named the preseason Big East Player of the Year as well as to multiple preseason All-American teams entering his senior season.

New York Knicks (2024–present)
Kolek was selected with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, however, he was subsequently traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for the draft rights of Dani Díez and second-round picks in 2027, 2029, and 2030. On July 5, he signed with the Knicks.

Personal life
Kolek's father, Kevin Kolek, a retired police officer, played college basketball at Southeastern Massachusetts University (now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) and was named the Little East Conference Player of the Year twice. His older brother, Brandon, played basketball at Franklin Pierce University.