NBA Comparison: TJ McConnell/Payton Prichard

Strengths: Makes the game look incredible easy … Scrappy left-handed guard that competes at the highest level night in and night out … One of the top facilitators in the country and a leader on the court with great vision and basketball IQ … Has improved his scoring each year and become a reliable scoring threat for Marquette … Excellent free throw shooter at 88 percent and can shoot it from deep as well at 40 percent from three … Showed steady improvement with his shot each year in college … A winner who can step up when needed as a leader and put the team on his back … Makes up for lack of athleticism and build with tough and relentless play… Played through a shot to the face that left him bleeding and came right back down to hit a three… Excellent feel for the game and knowing what the team needs whether it’s scoring or facilitating … Controlled, mature player that can get to his spots and finish with runners or lay it off to his teammates for an easy basket … Can be a good role player/backup guard in the league and potentially help teams instantly  … Great touch and can use both hands, not restricted to the left when driving. Not afraid to use his body to drive into defenders and get to where he wants to go… Plays at his own pace and rarely looks rushed or out of sorts … Knows what he is capable of and plays to his own strengths and uses that to his advantage against those that underestimate him … Figures to be a player that will gladly assume a complimentary role at the next level, provided he has the talent to stick in the league …

Weaknesses: Kolek’s speed, size and athleticism is going to be the main concern with scouts for the draft … Doesn’t jump out athletically with his vertical ability and will need to test well at combine to put some of those doubts at bay … Defensively not elite, may struggle against NBA caliber players which could hurt him and limit his minutes … Will be difficult for him to match up with quicker and bigger guards at the next level … While the shooting has improved, Kolek hasn’t shown a real willingness to shoot it with volume from deep (attempting just 3.9 3’s per game this year) … Has a little bit of an awkward shooting form that may make it tough to get shots off and over defenders in the league … His play style may not translate in the NBA with how different the speed of the game is, won’t be as in control as he has been in college … Turning 23 in March so a bit older for a guard in the draft … Questions  if exist about whether he will be able to get by NBA defenders or be shut down… He will need to add muscle to keep up with the physicality of the league … He will need to show his offensive game and work ethic makes up for defensive struggles …

Notes: Cumberland, Rhode Island, native…Played one season at Geroge Mason in 2020-21 season where he averaged 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists before transferring to Marquette and redshirting… 2022-23 Big East Player of the Year and Big East Tournament MVP… Averaged nation’s second-best 7.9 assists in 2022-23 season…All-Big East First Team.. Named to Bob Cousy award preseason watch list 2023-24…Attended St. George’s High School and was named 2019 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year and a two-time ISL Player of the Year…Has a brother who plays basketball at Franklin Pierce University…Majoring in communication studies… Holds Marquette record 18 assists in a single game.

Liam Wichser 3/12/24