Tyler Officially Declares for NBA Draft

[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.