Tyler Kolek Drafted by the New York Knicks

NEW YORK, June 27, 2024 – The New York Knicks announced tonight that the team has finalized separate trades with the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks:

New York acquired the draft rights to Tyler Kolek, the 34th overall pick, from Portland in exchange for three future second-round picks and the draft rights to Daniel Diez.
New York acquired the 40th overall pick and cash considerations from Oklahoma City in exchange for the draft rights to Ajay Mitchell, the 38th overall pick.
New York acquired the draft rights to Kevin McCullar Jr., the 56th overall pick and a future second-round pick from Phoenix in exchange for the draft rights to Oso Ighodaro, the 40th overall pick.
New York acquired the draft rights to Ariel Hukporti, the 58th overall pick, the draft rights to Petteri Koponen and cash considerations from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Melvin Ajinca, the 51st overall pick.
Kolek, 23-years-old (6-3, 182-pounds), finished his final three years of his collegiate career at Marquette, starting in all 99 games averaging 11.7 points, 7.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals over 31.5 minutes. In his senior year at Marquette, Kolek led the NCAA in assists and was named a 2024 consensus Second-Team All-American and 2024 First-Team All-Big East after averaging 15.3 points on 49.6-percent shooting, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals over 33.0 minutes in 31 games (all starts). He registered a career-high 32 points on 50-percent shooting, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals against Villanova (Jan. 30). As a junior, Kolek earned 2023 Big East Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and First-Team All-Big East. Prior to Marquette, Kolek played his freshman year at George Mason where he earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors.

McCullar Jr., 23-years-old (6-7, 212-pounds), finished his final two years of his collegiate career at Kansas, playing in 60 games (59 starts) averaging 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 steals over 32.2 minutes. He was named a 2024 Third-Team All-American by NABC and 2024 First-Team All-Big 12 after averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals over 34.2 minutes in 26 games (all starts) during his senior year at Kansas. He recorded a career-high 34 points on 61.1-percent shooting, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block against Yale (Dec. 22). As a junior, McCullar Jr. was named 2023 Third-Team All-Big 12 and to the 2023 Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Prior to Kansas, McCullar Jr. played his first three collegiate years at Texas Tech where he averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals over 25.8 minutes in 78 games (49 starts).

Hukporti, 22-years-old (6-11, 246-pounds), most recently played with MHP Riesen of the BBL in Germany where he averaged 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds over 14.3 minutes in three games (two starts). Prior to his time in the BBL, he spent parts of the 2023-24 season with Melbourne United of the Australian NBL where he averaged 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over 18.4 minutes in 28 games. In his two seasons with Melbourne he posted 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds over 16.8 minutes in 55 games. He spent the 2020-21 season in Lithuania where he averaged 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 22.8 minutes in 19 appearances. He made his professional debut with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2018-19.