Tyler Kolek Reacts to Security Mistake at Knicks Championship Parade

New York Knicks reserve guard Tyler Kolek took to the streets of Manhattan with his teammates on Thursday, celebrating the team’s NBA championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Kolek didn’t play a single minute in the Knicks’ championship series, but he’s just as much a member of the team as Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.

As Kolek celebrated in the streets of New York City, a police officer mistook him for a fan. The 6-foot-2 guard was grabbed and scolded by security before Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson cleared up the situation.

“I swear I'm on the team bro,” Kolek wrote on social media in response to this incident.

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Kolek was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but was immediately sent to New York in a draft-night trade. The former Marquette standout averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game in his second season with the Knicks.

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Kolek nearly recorded a triple-double in a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves this past December, dropping 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. A few days later, he recorded 16 points and nine assists in a Christmas Day victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kolek will continue to serve as a depth piece for the Knicks as he enters his third season with the team in 2026-27.

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM.