Tyler Officially Declares for NBA Draft

[TallTitan34]

https://x.com/kolektyler/status/1778156469327687737?s=46&t=jxqs74xjrj0YOEifH9UtCw

[Zog from Margo]

https://twitter.com/MarquetteMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

[wadesworld]

Thank you, Tyler.

[zcg2013]

Going to miss him. if anyone told you after his first season that he would leave early because he is a fringe first rounder, you would have thought that person is crazy.

Did so much in such little time.

[Nukem2]

Thanks for all the memories!

[Zog from Margo]

Not a surprise, but this one is tough. I have been watching MU for many years and, as for my favorite players to watch, Kolek is easily in the top 5.

Thanks, Tyler, and best of luck in your career!

[Uncle Rico]

Who could have seen this coming

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Fantastic player. One of the best to ever wear the uniform.

[PGsHeroes32]

Hopefully the wolves draft him as Conleys back up. Ill instantly by some 10 game packs

[TallTitan34]

Retire 11.

[Tyler COLEk]

The best player I've ever seen don a MU uniform. Can't wait to see what he can do in the NBA.

Interesting Kam didn't announce simultaneously though...

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Good luck and thanks, Tyler. Another guy that it’ll be easy to cheer for as he moves on. Always proud to see guys buy in at Marquette and have that rewarded.
Tyler and Oso have been great reps of Marquette as players and will continue to be as they move forward in life on and off the court.

[Golden Avalanche]

His number retirement ceremony in February 2025 will be emotional.

[willie warrior]

He will be sorely missed.
I am sure Shaka will use the portal wisely to pick up needed help.

[Uncle Rico]

He will be sorely missed.
I am sure Shaka will use the portal wisely to pick up needed help.

Think we’ll cut Ramsey?

[PointWarrior]

cue the "he would benefit from one year more in college" responses.

[Oldgym]

Never gonna forget the Depaul game at FF this year where TK had maybe two points but like 175 assists.  Best to him and Oso.

[Norm]

Where do most mock drafts have him being drafted?

[tower912]

Thank you, Tyler.  Nothing but appreciation and respect.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Good luck, Tyler!  It was a joy watching you represent Marquette.

[rocky_warrior]

Interesting Kam didn't announce simultaneously though...

Lol.  It's like you're predisposed to not learn 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Thank you TKO for helping bring the joy back to MU basketball.  Was a pleasure watching you play.  I’d wish that the Hawks would draft you so I could see you play here in ATL, but I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.

[Tyler COLEk]

cue the "he would benefit from one year more in college" responses.

Those fools aside, in my view TK is the most NBA-ready player on this roster. It will not surprise me if he gets legit NBA minutes his rookie season.

[brewcity77]

I don't know if Tyler Kolek was the greatest point guard in Marquette history because I've not been alive long enough to say that definitively. But in my time as a die-hard fan, he unquestionably was. We were lucky to have the privilege of watching him play.

What George Thompson was to Al McGuire, what Dwyane Wade was to Tom Crean, that's what Tyler Kolek was to Shaka Smart. The player who established our place at the big boy table of college basketball, the foundation setter that opened the way for years of success to follow. So grateful for everything he did here. What a tremendous player.

[Tyler COLEk]

Lol.  It's like you're predisposed to not learn 

I hate and refuse to use teal.

[lawdog77]

1. Hopefully Oso and Tyler don't read Scoop.
2. If they do, just want to share my appreciation to MU's version of Stockton and Malone.
3. Hopefully, next year's team has MU's version of Jordan and Pippen (Kam and Stevie)

[Miss Katie’s]

Tyler, you are a magician and one of my all time favorites. Thank you for all you did to help put MU basketball back on the map. So grateful for the many memorable moments you created.  No doubt there is more success to come!

[rocky_warrior]

I hate and refuse to use teal.

I'm more worried about your prescient ability to call out the next guy!

[warriorchick]

Dang. Selfishly, I am disappointed at this.

I thought there was a real chance he might be coming back

[GoldenWarrior11]

What a career for TK11.  Thank you for the memories, Tyler.  Good luck at the next level.

[MuggsyB]

Superb career for the young man.   I  think he'll be a solid NBA player. 

[CountryRoads]

“…and take tremendous pride representing this special basketball program at the highest level moving forward.”

He will have a fun NBA career to follow.

[WeAreMarquette96]

Where do most mock drafts have him being drafted?

Every mock I’ve seen has him between picks 20-35 as of now

[JakeBarnes]

Gonna absolutely miss him. What a trailblazer for the program. Thankful we got to see him in a Marquette uniform and excited to see him at the next level!

But for the moment. Woof. I knew he was gone, but reality always hits harder than theory

[MuggsyB]

Gonna absolutely miss him. What a trailblazer for the program. Thankful we got to see him in a Marquette uniform and excited to see him at the next level!

But for the moment. Woof. I knew he was gone, but reality always hits harder than theory

It's tough Jake.   I thought it was close to certain he would bolt.  Now we absolutely know where our focus should be in tbe portal.  This team still has excellent pieces.  Shaka will figure it out. 

[wadesworld]

This isn't hard at all.  This is a great day for Marquette, as was yesterday.  It's been known for months, and everyone should've been enjoying every time they got to watch those two Warriors put on the Marquette uniform.  Two of the best to do it in my time as an MU fan.  The more guys Shaka and staff help develop into pros, the better.

[dgies9156]

Tyler and Oso are this generation’s George Thompson and Dean Meminger. They got us to the threshold.

What we do from now on will be because these fine people paved the way.

Thanks Tyler!

Thanks Oso!

[pbiflyer]

cue the "he would benefit from one year more in college" responses.

You were close. Replace the h with a w.

Thanks Tyler! It was so much fun to watch.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The best player I've ever seen don a MU uniform. Can't wait to see what he can do in the NBA.

Interesting Kam didn't announce simultaneously though...

Much like Oso and TK not releasing statements at the same time, it’s not at all interesting.

Thanks for everything, TKO. I have no doubt he’ll play in the NBA.

[Lennys Tap]

I don't know if Tyler Kolek was the greatest point guard in Marquette history because I've not been alive long enough to say that definitively. But in my time as a die-hard fan, he unquestionably was. We were lucky to have the privilege of watching him play.

What George Thompson was to Al McGuire, what Dwyane Wade was to Tom Crean, that's what Tyler Kolek was to Shaka Smart. The player who established our place at the big boy table of college basketball, the foundation setter that opened the way for years of success to follow. So grateful for everything he did here. What a tremendous player.

Perfectly said.

I’m older than dirt so have seen all the best. Meminger is the only PG on his level. I’d say a toss up.

[mugrad_89]

We should all be forever grateful to Tyler and Oso for making Marquette basketball relevant again.  I am excited to see what the future holds for the program.  In Shaka we trust.

[DoctorV]

Thank you TyKo!!

Thank you Oso!!

Thanks for all the amazing memories, and making us all proud and passionate once again.

Marquette nation loves you both!

[jfp61]

Interesting Kam didn't announce simultaneously though...

Not really.

Oso and TK are 100% in on the draft.

Kam is less than 100% in on the draft..


That’s it. Probably the way it should be.

[Pakuni]

Where do most mock drafts have him being drafted?

Latest Yahoo Sports says he's not going far ... #35 to the Bucks.
No Oso.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/2024-nba-mock-draft-60-projections-for-every-pick-following-march-madness-171054718.html

[Goose]

TK changed the program in a way that we have seen in decades. Every post has summed up what TK meant to the program and I echo those sentiments. Not often that I get down about a kid leaving the program, for any reason, but this one stings a bit. A bittersweet day for this fan.

His place in MU history is set in stone and I hope his NBA career is even more successful than his time at MU. TK deserves a big thank you from every person that supports the program.

[Tyler COLEk]

I'm more worried about your prescient ability to call out the next guy!

Was already giving that some thought when I wrote that last post. You'll have to wait and see!

[MUCam]

Oso and Kolek are reminders of why patience is a virtue, especially with young basketball players. They are also reminders of the magic that happens when solid program guys reach their final year(s).

Oso was long considered incapable of playing at the High Major Level, and discussions abounded about whether he should transfer.

There were also debates after Kolek’s less than impressive (especially in the shooting category) debut in a Marquette uniform his first year, including as to whether we needed a transfer portal PG.

Stay patient with the guys that remain on our roster; you never know what magic you’ll find when an upperclassman gets his chance to step out of the shadows of last year’s brightest stars. Funny things happen when guys finally get to be “the man.” Im looking at you, Jop and you Stevie Mitchell. Kam—if he stays—is a given.

None of that should be taken as minimizing how great Oso and Kolek were. The magic Oso and Kolek gave us was in rarified air. They are generational in their impact on this program. What a treat to see them both develop. We would be beyond lucky to see such impact from players again any time soon. Here’s hoping Shaka has the ability to bring that magic out in his best players every year.

[BLWarrior91]

Retire 11.

Again…

[willie warrior]

So, does Kolek have an agent?
If not, he can still come back if not projected first round, right?

[CountryRoads]

So, does Kolek have an agent?
If not, he can still come back if not projected first round, right?

He mentioned he was forgoing his eligibility in the release, so he is off to the NBA.

[MU82]

This was a no-brainer.

I am thrilled for Tyler’s future and grateful for his considerable contributions to my alma mater’s basketball program.

His improvement over the course of his time at Marquette should serve as an inspiration for all those who follow.

[brewcity77]

If he has an approved agent, he could still come back, but the wording used in the goodbye post certainly indicates he is all in on the draft.

[wadesworld]

Yeah. Oso’s statement left the possibility more open than Kolek’s. But they’re both off to bigger things.

[WarriorFan]

Great move for TyKo.  congrats on a great MU career and for being the personality the team and community needed.

I predict he's a guaranteed first rounder and probably right in the middle of the pack.  It's a historically weak draft, so some team is going to look for an older guy who can contribute now rather than an 18 year old with potential.  Good financial decision... he'll get more even as a late first rounder than he would have from NIL.

[Herman Cain]

Tyler was very enjoyable to watch these last three years . An All Time MU Great Point Guard

Will never forget his Year One steal to be the Illini , it was the sign of great things to come.

Last two years have been Excellent.

Hopefully Tyler signs up with a classy organization

[Shooter McGavin]

Thank you Tyler!  You were a pleasure to watch.   

[CTWarrior]

Good for Tyler, it is obviously the best thing for him and I wish him all the best, but I am really going to miss watching him in an MU uniform.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Much like Oso and TK not releasing statements at the same time, it’s not at all interesting.

Thanks for everything, TKO. I have no doubt he’ll play in the NBA.

Some of you folks are teal blind

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Some of you folks are teal blind

Considering some of the takes here it's pretty hard to tell sometimes. 

[Uncle Rico]

Considering some of the takes here it's pretty hard to tell sometimes.

Some people didn’t think Tyler would play in the NBA

[MU82]

If you read the second sentence of Tyler's statement - "These past three years have exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations ... " it would seem he was suffering from COLE(k) when he signed on to play at MU.

[Goose]

82

Right place, right coach and right system.

[Daniel]

All the best to you, Tyler!   It was an honor and a thrill to have you play for Marquette!   

[4everwarriors]

Some people didn’t think Tyler would play in the NBA

Dey don't no ball, aina?

[lostpassword]

82

Right place, right coach and right system.

Right coach and system indeed.  I wonder where Tyler would be today if his coach at George Mason hasn't been canned.  I think it likely he would have transferred up but a year or two later. Far less likely he would have been the top point guard in the nation.

[NCMUFan]

Go Tyler!

[mileskishnish72]

It was fun TyKo - good luck in your future.

[MUbiz]

Great podcast with Tyler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9F5pyV7Lhw