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Knicks Player Mistaken for Fan During Championship Parade
18 Jun
Summary
- Tyler Kolek was mistaken for a fan by police officers during the Knicks' championship parade.
- Kolek, holding a drink, was stopped by officers who did not recognize him as a player.
- He clarified his identity to officers, who then released him to continue celebrating.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek experienced an unusual moment during the team's championship parade on Thursday, June 18, 2026. While celebrating with fans, Kolek was stopped by two police officers who apparently mistook him for an attendee rather than a player.
Kolek was running along the parade route, interacting with the crowd and holding a beverage, when the officers approached and detained him. The situation was quickly resolved when others informed the police that Kolek was indeed part of the championship-winning Knicks team. He later posted on social media about the incident, humorously stating he told the officers, "I swear I'm on the team bro."
Kolek was a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and spent the 2024-25 season with the Westchester Knicks, the team's G-League affiliate. He was part of the Knicks team that won the NBA Cup in December 2025, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the final game. The Knicks secured their first NBA championship in 53 years by defeating the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals.
