Woodbine resident signs with NBA champion Knicks

Posted: June 26th 2026

Woodbine resident and St. Augustine Prep graduate Keith Palek III has signed a free-agent contract with the New York Knicks. (photo from Springfield Daily Citizen)

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

A Woodbine resident will soon be wearing the uniform of the NBA champion New York Knicks.

Keith Palek III, a graduate of St. Augustine Prep who finished his college career last winter at Missouri State, has signed a free-agent contract with the iconic franchise to play on the organization’s summer league team, according to multiple sources and other media reports.

The Knicks are slated to begin summer league play in Las Vegas on July 9.

Palek, a 6-9 stretch forward, is a 2021 graduate of St. Augustine Prep. He first played collegiate basketball at Division II California University of Pennsylvania, where he averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for his career. He averaged 18.8 points per game in his final season with the Vulcans but played in just six games due to injury.

Palek transferred to Division I Missouri State for the 2025-26 season, his final season of eligibility, and led the team in scoring at 17.3 points per game and in total assists with 121. He was also second on the team in rebounding at 6.4 per game and total steals with 33.

Palek was a second team Conference USA selection. He was the first Missouri State player to record at least 500 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in the same season. 

Missouri State finished 16-18 overall, 8-12 in CUSA.

Palek is the son of Keith and Jenessa Palek, who were each the first respective male and female players to score 1,000 career points at Cape May Tech. His sisters each play college basketball at the Division II level, Madison at Clarion University and Mackenzie at Felician University.