When it comes to New York Knicks jerseys featuring his client Tyler Kolek’s name, coach Nick Correia advises fans to get them Beforethey are hot.
Correia made a bold prediction in a profile written by Stefan Bondy of the New York Postsomething that should excite any Knicks fan concerned about local talent amid several veteran acquisitions from overseas.
“Tyler can play with anybody. He can play with (Donte) DiVincenzo. He can play with (Jalen) Brunson. He can do so many different things that I see him as an X-factor that people don’t realize,” Correia said. “He’s at his best in big-game situations. This kid is going to play with energy like John Starks did in the ’90s. Spike Lee is going to have a Tyler Kolek jersey in the rotation.”
Kolek has generated some hype around his professional debut given his status as a second-round pick, selected 34th overall in June’s draft. The Knicks have shown their faith in giving the Marquette alum $6.6 million in guaranteed money, the most ever offered to a second-round pick.
Bondy’s profile details the inspiring story of Correia’s relationship with Kolek, where working with the former Golden Eagle helped the coach overcome several addictions. Helping Kolek emerge from recruiting obscurity helped Correia rediscover, in his own words, “why (he) loved (the) game.”
“When he started playing at Marquette, I told him, ‘You helped me fall in love with the game again, Tyler,’” Correia said.
Under Correia, Kolek has earned his share of academic honors: Last year, he was named an All-American while leading the nation in assists. Before that, he followed in the footsteps of new teammates Brunson and Josh Hart by becoming the Big East Player of the Year shortly before guiding Marquette to the conference tournament title at Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks.
Kolek is expected to be one of the main attractions of the Knicks’ upcoming preseason games, which begin Oct. 6 in Charlotte.
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