Tyler Kolek Biography

Tyler John Kolek, born on March 27, 2001, is an American professional basketball player who has played in the National Basketball Association. He has competed in college basketball for the George Mason Patriots and the Marquette Golden Eagles. Selected 34th overall in the 2024 NBA draft, Kolek was traded to the New York Knicks on draft night. As a junior, he earned Rhode Island Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. After the season concluded, head coach Dave Paulsen was dismissed and Kolek entered the NCAA transfer portal. On January 1, 2025, he participated in a rare double-header with the Knicks and their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. In a game on December 23, 2025, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kolek achieved a career-high 20 points.