Tyler Kolek won the 2026 NBA championship with the New York Knicks on June 13. Travis Diener texted Kolek, "Congrats. Proud of you." The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 to end a 53-year title drought.
Travis Diener's Message to Kolek
Travis Diener followed the final buzzer with more than a one-line text. He said, "Hopefully there’s more moments like this, but there’s no guarantee," and added, "Savor the moment. Enjoy it. Cherish it. But he’s still a young guy, I’m sure a lot more improvement to do but I’m incredibly proud of him." Diener also called Kolek a player with "an outstanding Marquette career" and said, "He had a lot of big moments for the Knicks this year. He should take a lot of pride in that. It’s really, really hard to do."
Dwyane Wade on Kolek
Dwyane Wade framed Kolek’s title as part of a winning resume. "Winning is an important word that comes behind your name – you're a winner," Wade said, and added, "Before he won the championship with the Knicks, Tyler’s always been a winner. He plays winning basketball." Those remarks tie Kolek’s professional milestone to his collegiate pedigree: Kolek was with Marquette from 2021-24, was Big East Player of the Year in 2022-23, was a second team All-American in 2023-24, was Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2023, and earned first team all-Big East honors in 2023-24 after making second team all-Big East in 2022-23.
Wade and Diener Weekend
Wade and Diener gathered earlier to promote the inaugural Wade and Diener Home Court Weekend. Three events are scheduled to take place July 16-17, with ticket sales and sponsorships earmarked for the Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program, the Visit Milwaukee Foundation and Marquette basketball facilities. The fundraiser ties the championship moment back to a small Marquette alumni network that has followed Kolek from college into the NBA Finals.
Those close to Kolek celebrate the title while also sounding a note of caution: Wade labels Kolek a winner, and Diener urges perspective and continued growth. How much of a role Kolek played for the Knicks during their championship season remains the key unanswered detail — a follow-up that will shape how Marquette alumni and Knicks fans interpret this title for Kolek's long-term trajectory.
