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George Mason transfer Tyler Kolek will have an impact for Marquette Basketball

By Adam Bernstein

Mar 29, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Shaka Smart poses with "Iggy" the golden eagle mascot after the press conference Monday, March 29, 2021, introducing Smart as head men'sÊbasketball coach of Marquette University at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee. Shaka Smart is the first black head men's basketball coach at Marquette University. Mandatory Credit: Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 29, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Shaka Smart poses with "Iggy" the golden eagle mascot after the press conference Monday, March 29, 2021, introducing Smart as head men'sÊbasketball coach of Marquette University at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee. Shaka Smart is the first black head men's basketball coach at Marquette University. Mandatory Credit: Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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The 2021 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Tyler Kolek announced his commitment to Marquette Basketball on Wednesday night via his Twitter page.

The Rhode Island-native averaged 10.8 points per game last season with the George Mason Patriots. He also shot 35.8 percent from the three-point range while playing in 22 games and starting in 18 appearances.

The 6-foot-3 guard hit a season-high 19 points twice this past season. He was also named to the A10 All-Freshman team following this season.

According to KenPom, Kolek ranks within the Top 500 in the country. The potential is very high for him as he joins a bigger program in a better conference.

Kolek joins a rebuilding Marquette program seeking success in the Big East Conference next season. The program recently brought in former Texas coach and Wisconsin native Shaka Smart. Smart enters the program after the firing of coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons. The Golden Eagles also landed commits David Joplin and Keeyan Itejere on Wednesday morning within minutes of each other.

The backcourt will be very interesting for the Golden Eagles with the inclusion of Kolek. Starting guard Koby McEwen has transferred out, but DJ Carton is expected to come back for his junior season. This may end up being a better fit for Carton, as Kolek can play off the ball and his shooting will help space the floor for the offense.

Marquette’s roster is pretty much set for the 2021-22 season as they will be returning most of their players including, Tommy Gardiner and Dawson Garcia. Garcia entered his name into the NBA Draft, however, it looks like he will be returning for his sophomore year. Gardiner will return from a season-ending knee injury but, looks to show improvement from his last three seasons in the program. The Golden Eagles will have just two seniors on scholarship for next season.

dark. Next. Preview of 2021 National JUCO Tournament

The future is looking bright in Milwaukee for Shaka Smart and this Golden Eagles team. Smart hopes to bring an NCAA tournament bid to a program that has been mediocre over the last seven seasons under coach Wojciechowski.

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