Tyler Kolek‘schampionship parade took a turn when police stopped him on the route. The Knicks guard had to explain he was part of the team. The New York Knicks’ championship parade delivered plenty of memorable scenes, but one of the most talked-about moments involved a case of mistaken identity.

NYPD accidentally stops Knicks’ Tyler Kolek after mistaking him for a fan at parade

A video shared on social media showed Kolek jogging along the parade route and greeting supporters. He stopped to high-five fans and soak in the atmosphere before a pair of NYPD officers stepped in and appeared to direct him away. The officers seemed to think he was an unauthorized fan who had entered the route.

The situation quickly became awkward. Footage showed Kolek explaining that he was actually a member of the Knicks roster. ESPN reporter Kimberley A. Martin posted the clip online and wrote, “Cops mistook Tyler Kolek for a fan.”

Cops mistook Tyler Kolek for a fan ? #alwaysknickspic.twitter.com/7LxI29zahb

— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) June 18, 2026

Fortunately, Kolek appeared to find the whole thing funny. After the clip went viral, he posted, “I swear I’m on the team bro,” followed by laughing emojis. Rather than showing frustration, the 25-year-old guard leaned into the joke and made the moment more popular and hilarious among fans online.

I swear I’m on the team bro ??? https://t.co/7AJyNXAIfz

— Tyler Kolek (@tyler_kolek) June 18, 2026

The parade itself was packed with headline-making moments. Singer Alicia Keys battled technical issues before performing in front of City Hall, while celebrity Knicks supporters, including Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Swift, and Adam Sandler, joined in celebrating the historic championship run (via EW).

Kolek arrived in New York in 2024 after turning heads with an impressive run at Marquette. During the Knicks’ title-winning season, he mainly provided depth at point guard. He also saw action in eight games. Kolek may not have been the biggest name on the roster, but thanks to that hilarious parade mix-up, he unexpectedly became one of the stars of the celebration.

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