New York City police officers briefly stop Knicks guard Tyler Kolek during the team’s championship parade after appearing to mistake him for a fan. Multiple outlets report that the incident occurs as the Knicks celebrate their first NBA title in 53 years, with players and supporters filling the streets. Video shared online shows Kolek walking along the parade route and interacting with fans before officers approach and attempt to move him away from the parade area, apparently unaware he is part of the championship-winning roster. Team personnel and others nearby quickly intervene to clarify that Kolek is a player, and he is then allowed to continue celebrating.
After the exchange, Kolek responds publicly with humor, posting a message on social media that reads, “I swear I’m on the team bro.” The remark spreads widely online and becomes part of the parade’s most discussed moments. While Kolek plays a limited role during the playoffs and does not appear in the NBA Finals, he is still described as part of the roster that ends the franchise’s long championship drought. Sources across the outlets characterize the episode as a brief misunderstanding resolved on the spot.
