New York Knicks star Tyler Kolek reveals A-lister he wants on celebrity row after Timothée…
New York Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek is setting his sights on another A-lister for celebrity row next season: NFL legend Tom Brady. Kolek expressed his desire for Brady to make more frequent appearances, stating, “He’s been there before but he has to come more often.” Brady attended two Knicks games in November 2024. Kolek, speaking at the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City on Wednesday, revealed his long-standing admiration for the quarterback, adding, “I grew up a Patriots fan, when he left I kind of bandwagoned and went to the Buccaneers because I wasn’t really a Patriots fan, I was a Tom Brady fan.”
The 25-year-old Kolek also lauded the consistent support from the Knicks' existing celebrity fans, a group that includes Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, and Ben Stiller. He highlighted Chalamet’s dedication, noting, “[Chalamet] was there last year throughout the whole playoff run so obviously we knew he was going to be here this year on the road, at home…” Kolek also praised the other loyal stars, saying, “All the fans — Spike, Tracy, Ben — all those guys, they come to the home games, to the away games… It’s cool seeing all the support we get.”
Reflecting on the Knicks' recent NBA Championship win, their first since 1973, Kolek shared, “It felt amazing, 53 years, we felt it. Not only did we [feel] it, but the whole city felt it, the whole fan base, so it’s been pretty special.” However, the team isn't resting on their laurels, as they are already focused on securing back-to-back championships. “It starts right now, it starts in the summer,” Kolek emphasized. “All the work we put in leading up to the season. … I know we play deep into the summer, but we’re getting back after it now.” He enthusiastically concluded, “We’re getting ready to go for next year.”
Kolek was among several Knicks players at the 2026 ESPY Awards, with teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Jose Alvarado, and Mikal Bridges also making appearances. The New York Knicks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA finals. During the championship parade, Kolek was famously mistaken for a fan while trying to rejoin his float, an incident he brushed off by saying, “I was just enjoying myself, having a good time… It’s all good!” Post-victory celebrations took place at various New York City hotspots, including Cathédrale, The Highlight Room, and TAO Downtown.
