Marquette's Tyler Kolek hopes to show at NBA draft combine that he is a first-round pick

CHICAGO − Tyler Kolek's voice was still a little scratchy when he sat down on a podium Tuesday for his NBA draft combine media availability in a ballroom at the Marriott Marquis.

NBA teams have plenty of game film on Kolek after four years in college, but the former Marquette point guard always feels he has something to prove and he is making the rounds in hopes of establishing himself as a first-round pick.

"It is a grind, it's grueling," Kolek said. "I was kind of ready just to get this process started.

"Obviously it starts with the workouts two or three weeks ago. You're just in there with the same guys, the same coaches. But actually getting in front of NBA people is kind of what you're doing this for. I was excited to get on the floor yesterday and show what I can do."

Kolek stands out in shooting drills at NBA combine

Kolek wasn't on the main court for his shooting drills, but he still put on a show for the NBA scouts and executives.

He made 17 of 25 in spot-up shooting, then he made 12 straight three-pointers during the "star" drill that hits five different spots beyond the arc.

"I think people know I can shoot the ball," Kolek said. "I think that's one of the biggest question marks, like, can he space the floor for us? He can be on the ball, making plays, can he space the floor for our stars?

"I just want to be able to show people that."

Kolek opted out of the combine's five-on-five games, which can often look like disorganized pickup runs.

"We just thought that the brand of basketball that they play here isn't the style that I play," he said. "I'm getting people involved, I'm sharing the ball, playing the right way.

"It felt like a lot of guys are just trying to get their games off here. Not trying to play the right way. It wouldn't showcase what I can do the best of my ability."

Kolek thrived in Marquette offense under Shaka Smart and Nevada Smith

Two pickup games with unfamiliar teammates aren't going to sway any NBA team's thoughts about Kolek. There is ample evidence from his time with the Golden Eagles, with 99 games in his three seasons under head coach Shaka Smart.

"You want to know who I am as a player, go watch me play," Kolek said. "Not in this setting. Go watch me play when the game's on the line at Madison Square Garden or in the NCAA Tournament when it's do-or-die.

"I feel like there's enough tape on me. There's no mysteries on my game."

Kolek thrived as the point guard with back-to-back All-American seasons in MU's free-flowing offense.

"(MU assistant) Nevada Smith's offense is all NBA stuff," Kolek said. "Pistol action. Delay Action. All that stuff I am already familiar with because we've been doing it for two, three years.

"I've really felt like I have a mastery of it. The different rotation a guy is supposed to do when you drive the ball. I'm sure it's pretty similar in the NBA. The different spots that I need to be in when I'm off the ball. The league is so pick-and-roll heavy, so being able to make those decisions and make those reads is definitely a strength."

There was one bit of new footage that Kolek hopes NBA teams see. During ESPN's coverage of the combine on Monday, Kolek could be seen in the background behind the talking heads throwing down a one-handed dunk of a self-thrown alley-oop.

Kolek texted Smart that video when the MU coach said he was surprised at Kolek's athletic testing.

"That's that 34-inch vertical, baby!" Kolek said.

What's next for Tyler Kolek in NBA draft process?

Kansas' Johnny Furphy has been working out closely with Kolek in Chicago over the past month.

"His passing is super elite," Furphy said. "His ability just to get everyone involved. I think that's a super important piece of his game."

It's hard to show that off in the NBA combine setting, but Kolek hopes to continiue selling his game to NBA teams ahead of the draft on June 26 and 27.

Kolek has 15 team interviews scheduled at the combine. His agency, Priority Sports, will hold a pro day in Chicago on Friday.

Then he will fly around to different cities for team workouts.

"They're always trying to trip you up," Kolek said. "They'll ask you some off-the-wall questions.

"The biggest thing with those things, the ones you can't prepare for, is to be yourself. Don't lie. Just tell them the whole truth because they want to know who you are as a person. The more that you can relate who you are and what you're about, the more they'll be apt to draft you."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette's Tyler Kolek is selling his game at NBA draft combine