New York Knicks Officially Sign Ex-College Star

The New York Knicks have officially signed a former Marquette star.

Oct 2, 2023; Tarrytown, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau speaks to the media during a media day press conference at the MSG Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: SNY's Ian Begley reported more details.

Via Begley: "Knicks’ contract with rookie Tyler Kolek sets NBA record with most guaranteed money ($6.6M) for a
second-round pick. Prior record was Andrew Nembhard’s $6.4M. Kolek’s Knicks deal is the most a team can pay a second rounder under the second round exception."

Knicks’ contract with rookie Tyler Kolek sets NBA record with most guaranteed money ($6.6M) for a
second-round pick. Prior record was Andrew Nembhard’s $6.4M. Kolek’s Knicks deal is the most a team can pay a second rounder under the second round exception.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 6, 2024

Tyler Kolek is coming off an excellent season with Marquette.

The talented guard finished the year with averages of 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.8% from the three-point range in 31 games.

Last month, the Knicks made a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers to select Kolek with the 34th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Via Knicks PR on June 27: "New York acquired the draft rights to Tyler Kolek, the 34th overall pick, from Portland in exchange for three future second-round picks and the draft rights to Daniel Diez."

.@nyknicks Second-Round Draft Day Transactions pic.twitter.com/NGKUZIJJoa

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 28, 2024

On Friday, the Knicks officially signed Kolek.

.@nyknicks sign Tyler Kolek pic.twitter.com/z51Q9CSFUE

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) July 5, 2024

Fred Katz of The Athletic reported more details.

Via Katz: "The Knicks have signed Tyler Kolek to a four-year, $9.06M contract, league source said. Team option on the fourth year. First three years guaranteed."

The Knicks have signed Tyler Kolek to a four-year, $9.06M contract, league source said. Team option on the fourth year. First three years guaranteed.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 4, 2024

Kolek played four seasons for college basketball for George Mason (and Marquette).

His career averages were 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 43.6% from the field and 35.5% from the three-point range in 121 games.

At 23, he is likely one of the more NBA-ready prospects from the draft.

2024 #NBADraft recap ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/pKfpNY9nzO

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 28, 2024

The Knicks are coming off an excellent year where they were the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record.

They beat Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second (in seven games).