Ex-Marquette Basketball Star Turns Heads With Huge Role In Knicks’ NBA Cup Finals Win

Former Marquette Golden Eagles star point guard Tyler Kolek was among the unlikely heroes for the New York Knicks in the team’s win Tuesday night in the NBA Cup Championship game against the San Antonio Spurs at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kolek entered the Spurs game with an average of just 3.6 points per game in the 2025-26 NBA season, so he was not really expected to do much on the court. But he did. The former second-round pick but the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2024 NBA Draft provided the Knicks a huge shot in the arm in a 124-113 victory for New York. 

Kolek came off the bench and fired 14 points on 5/9 shooting from the field. He hit two 3-pointers on five attempts from behind the arc and added five rebounds and dished out five assists, as the Knicks overpowered Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in the fourth quarter, where New York outscored the Spurs by 16 points.

Fans react to ex-Marquette basketball star’s earns shoutout from Jalen Brunson

Kolek was among those given a special mention after the game by NBA Cup Most Valuable Player and Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson.

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson…without them we don’t win this…played their ass off tonight,” Brunson said.

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson…without them we don’t win this…played their ass off tonight”

–– NBA Cup MVP Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/xU3BDvljM1

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 17, 2025

Brunson finished the game with 25 points and eight assists while shooting 11/27 from the field, while OG Anunoby had 28 points, nine boards and three assists. Kolek, together with Clarkson, who had 15 points, supplemented New York’s attack with great offense off the bench. Clarkson had 15 points with three 3-pointers as well.

Before Kolek turned pro, he played three seasons for the Golden Eagles.

For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!