Photo: Ronald Polite (left) and Tyler Kolek (right)

National pundits from Jon Rothstein to Rob Dauster agree: to win in the Atlantic 10, you need good guard play.  
 
Mason has featured its fair share of exceptional guards during Dave Paulsen's tenure as head coach.  
 
From Marquise Moore, to Otis Livingston II to Justin Kier, Patriot guards have set school records, garnered national recognition and made Mason Nation proud with outstanding grit and tenacity on the court. 
 
As the calendar turns to 2020-21, the Patriots feature a wealth of contributors at the position and are thrilled to welcome a pair of guards with bright futures: Tyler Kolek and Ronald Polite.  
 
Kolek comes to Mason from Cumberland, R.I., where he recently wrapped up one of the top careers amongst Ocean State hoopers. The 2020 New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B Player of the Year, Kolek led St. George's School in Newport to an impressive 23-4 record, the 2020 Independent School League (ISL) title and a berth in the NEPSAC Class B semifinals. In that semifinal contest, Kolek poured in 39 points to lead the Dragons. 
 
A two-time All-ISL selection, Kolek garnered 2019 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year honors, joining recent winners Cole Swider (Villanova), Bonzie Colson (Notre Dame) and Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse) as recipients of the elite award. 
 
For Mason, Kolek fills an immediate role within the Mason roster. A dead-eye shooter, the Cumberland, R.I., product features unlimited range, a pure shooting touch and a propensity to deliver in big moments.  
 
"Tyler is an elite shooter and that's a need of ours," Paulsen said. "He can pour it in from deep and what sets him apart is that he can create his own shot, so he's not just a stationary shooter. And he's so much more than a shooter – he's a very good passer and a good rebounder for his position. He has a multitude of skills and a toughness and competitiveness about him. Those skills will translate well to this level as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the college game." 
 
Kolek credits the development of his shooting touch to his father, Kevin, who featured as an expert marksman during a college career at UMass Dartmouth. Kevin would challenge his son on the court, and seeing the pure stroke in action motivated Tyler to develop a similar adept touch in his game.  
 
Kolek's shooting ability was there from the start, but he feels his year of prep school at St. George's allowed him to develop into a more complete player as he heads into his freshman season at Mason. 
 
"I was in high school for five years, including my prep year, so it feels good to get to the next level," Kolek said. "The prep year allowed me to change my body completely, as well as my mindset and my workout habits. I'm excited to learn from the veteran guys, play my role and help in any way I can as a freshman." 
 
Polite comes to Mason from basketball-rich Prince George's County in Maryland, where he starred as a guard at Oxon Hill High School. That proud program also produced Mason great and 2006 NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player Lamar Butler. 
 
Polite learned of that Mason connection during a recruiting process in which he felt a strong connection to the coaches and student-athletes in Fairfax. 
 
"Mason just felt like home and it was the school that showed me the most love from the start," Polite said. "It was important to me to stay local, have family close by and have people around me that support me." 
 
Polite wrapped up an outstanding high school career in 2020, which culminated with selection to the elite Washington Post All-Metro First Team. He averaged 22.5 points as a senior at Oxon Hill while leading the Clippers to the program's first Prince George's County 1A-4A title since 2010. Polite was named Prince George's County Co-Player of the Year after leading his team to a 21-4 record and a final ranking of No. 18 in the Washington Post Boys Basketball Top-20. 
 
That experience, coupled with his tenure with DC's prestigious AAU program Team Takeover, has Polite primed and ready for a strong start to his college career. 
 
"He has an elite feel for the game and instinctively sees the whole floor," Paulsen said. "He has a natural ability to read defenses and to pass the ball, but he can score, too. He knows when to attack and look for his shot, or when to read the defense and distribute to other guys. He's a good rebounder and has good size for his position. He also possesses an innate leadership gift, which I think you'll see more and more as the year goes on and he continues to gain confidence." 
 
Polite understands the transition to the college game is an arduous one and he recognizes the work he will have to put in to make an impact as a freshman with the program.  
 
"I want to get stronger and increase my conditioning overall," Polite said. "I also want to work on my shot and my range and become a more explosive player. I've learned that this is a process. You can't just come right in and be ready – you have to work for it."