Roommates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart already have a perfect guest for the next season of their podcast. In addition to their former college friend Mikal Bridges, formerly of Villanova like them and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks also recovered during the Draft a player with a strong link with the Wildcats.
The New York franchise thus got its hands on Thursday Tyler Kolek with the 34th pick in the draft. And the point guard has a history with the university of his future locker room neighbors.
It all started from a bad student joke. Marquette, the university where Tyler Kolek has played brilliantly for the last three seasons, and his coach Shaka Smart post the academic results of his players on social networks before the start of the season, to highlight their quality. The name of Tyler Kolek does not appear on the list, enough to excite fans of rival schools. The “trashtalking” machine is launched and becomes a real subject while a parody account evokes a player suspension for the entire season because of his poor grades. A Marquette stewardess is forced to clarify on social networks that none of it is true.
“Tyler Kolek can’t read”
Then comes Marquette's trip to Villanova on January 31. As with all his recent trips, Tyler Kolek is treated to a few mocking chants.
On January 6 at Seton Hall, the hostile atmosphere had unhinged him for one of his rare poor performances of the season (5 points at 1/6, 6 assists). On the Wildcats court, it was the complete opposite that happened, with a Kolek on fire, author of his career record with 32 points at 10/20 shooting, accompanied by 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
” We move and the audience shouts that I do not know how to read » replied the neo-Knick at a press conference. “ They yell at me 'where were you on January 6?' (referring to the assault on the Capitol by Donald Trump supporters), that kind of bullshit. I love that. I arrive on the floor, they boo me. It's funny. Well, it's fun for me. » That evening, Marquette won 85-80 thanks to its playmaker. “I'm undefeated against Villanova, 7-0 I think. I've never lost to them in three years. »
Criticism as fuel
Big character and fierce competitor, Tyler Kolek then came out of two more complicated matches and explained that he had to find his bad boy costume, like a movie villain.
The kind of attitude that should go down well with his new Gotham City audience. “ He has mental strength and the ability to be in his own bubble and focused. » explained Shaka Smart after this tense match. “ But also to absorb negativity, whether from supporters or opponents or anyone, and transform it into an engine. That's what he did tonight. I've seen him do this many, many times. He likes being that bad guy. »
Fueled by the gibes, Tyler Kolek had further fueled his Villanova past.They think you're not good enough.' 'They think you suck.' I talk to myself, I push myself and motivate myself so that from the start of the game, I bring my intensity to my teammates. » It remains to be seen whether this flame will have an effect on the New York group's “Villanova Connection”, with which he will undoubtedly have some stories to tell.
