Tyler Ulis

At 28 years old, Tyler Ulis has this physical status:

Tyler Ulis (born January 5, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League.

He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.

At Kentucky in 2015, he led his team in assists, he made the 2015 SEC All-Freshman Team and led the 2014–15 Kentucky team that won its first 38 games before losing to Wisconsin in the final four of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

As a sophomore, Ulis was a Consensus first-team All-American and earned the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year recognition.He played for Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

He was selected to play in both the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game and the 2014 Jordan Brand Classic.

As a high school junior, he was a first team All-state selection, but he was overlooked by most top scouts until after his junior year of high school due to his height.

Early life

Ulis was born in Southfield, Michigan (a Detroit suburb), and lived in Lima, Ohio, with his mother and younger brother, Ahron. He ran track as a youth, competing in the 800 meters and 1500 meters. He trained for basketball with his cousin and 2009 Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year Travis Walton. Another of his cousins is Shareese Ulis, point guard for Cincinnati Lady Bearcats, who had been a two-time Toledo Blade Player of the Year. During his time in middle school, Ulis became friends with future Phoenix Suns teammate Devin Booker.

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High school career

Ulis went to Matteson, Illinois, where he and his father, James, spent. In Ohio, he had been used to winning a large number of his games. He played for Marian Catholic's first game as a freshman against future Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball starting guard Tracy Abrams. He did not succeed in his first days as a team leader. He was 5 foot 3 inches (1.60 m) tall and was being recruited by protesting high schools as a freshman. He reached 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) by late in his sophomore season and was being recruited by college basketball teams. Marian Catholic was regarded as a legitimate candidate in the junior season by Ulis.

Ulis was not recognized until well into the recruiting process for top basketball schools due to his height. He was not heavily recruited until his 2013-14 senior year of high school. Only Iowa and DePaul made him offers during his junior year, according to schools that are not recognized as high-major programs. Dayton, Colorado State, Loyola, Northern Illinois, and Oregon State were among his other offers. His popularity soared during his junior year, and Marian Catholic started winning. Marian Catholic competed against Bloom High School in the third round of the Illinois High School Association Class 4A sectional round in March 2013 and then played Edwardsville High School in the supersectional round. Despite Marian's loss to a much larger Edwardsville squad, the school set a new school record for victories with a 29–4 record, as well as its first IHSA sectional. In the Illinois Mr. Basketball polling, Ulis came in fourth, behind Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, and Malcolm Hill. Parker, Okafor, Cliff Alexander, and Jalen Brunson were among the Chicago Tribune's first-team All-state picks.

He had several bids and named Iowa, Kentucky, and Purdue as the 38th best prospect in the national class of 2014 and the 8th best point guard by ESPN (even though he didn't have an offer from them at the time), and DePaul, Florida State, Northwestern, and Purdue were among his finalists by August 8, 2013. Walton, Tyler's cousin, had played for Michigan State. On August 16, Kentucky gave him a formal invitation. Ulis said in early September that he would not fly to the United StatesC and had barred them from consideration. Ulis committed to Kentucky on September 13. Tyus Jones' official visit to Kentucky on September 27-29 has been postponed.

Ulis was one of the five most likely to win Illinois Mr. Basketball in his senior season (along with Okafor, Alexander Brunson, and Keita Bates-Diop). Ulis and Marion suffered one of their only two regular season losses to USC-bound guard Jordan McLaughlin and Etiwanda High School, which was ranked number 6 nationally by USA Today on December 7, 2013. Ulis had 30 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. The match between junior Brunson and Stevenson High School in January 25, 2014, was widely predicted in the local media as the match between the two best point guards in the state was a hit. Brunson had 32 points on 9-for-15 field goal shootings and an 11-for-14 free throw success, with Stevenson winning. In the final eight minutes, Ulis had 23 points and 9 assists, with 18 points and 3 assists, but the game was only 5-for-20 from the field. Ulis scored a career-high 42 points against Lake Forest High School on February 22, with six steals, 6 rebound, and 5 assists.

Marian was the No. 1 seed in the IHSA Class 4A tournament's Thornton sectional. Ulis had 40 points to lead Marian past Bloom High School 66–45 on March 11, 2014. He made his first six shots in the game, which was a repeat of the previous year, with all three-pointers. Marian lost in overtime on March 18, one game shy of reaching the final four in Peoria, Illinois, and ending with a 28–3 record. Ulis, a 23-points and four assists player, tied the score in regulation with 21 seconds and 50 seconds remaining in overtime. Ulis contributed 9 points and 9 assists in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 18, which was also included in the Jordan Brand Classic.

On January 29, he was invited to the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game alongside fellow Chicagoans Okafor and Alexander, as well as fellow Kentucky commits Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, and Devin Booker. On March 10, he was one of 26 players selected for the Jordan Brand Classic again, alongside fellow Chicagoans Okafor and Alexander, as well as fellow Kentucky commits Towns, Lyles, and Booker. Alexander, Brunson, Okafor, and Sean O'Mara were among Alexander, Brunson, Okafor and Sean O'Mara's names to the Associated Press Class 4A 1st team All-state team. In the Illinois Mr. Basketball poll, Ulis came in third place behind Okafor and Alexander. In both the skills competition and the three-point match at McDonald's All-American Game, he was the runner-up. He was selected in 2014 for the All-USA Boys Basketball Team in the United States.

The decision by Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison on whether or not Ulis became a direct starter or not will determine whether or not Ulis became an immediate starter or not. After his freshman season, many expected Andrew to be Calipari's seventh consecutive point guard, but Ulis is expected to stay much longer at Kentucky. The Harrisons announced on April 25 that they would return to Kentucky.

College career

Ulis wore a walking boot on his right foot during the offseason after undergoing a pick-up game injury due to precautionary reasons. Ulis was also selected to the 36-man 2014–15 Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List and the Wayman Tisdale Award Watch List. Ulis quickly established a reputation as a difference maker whose contributions may not be apparent in the statistics. He was hospitalized on December 10 due to an injury. Ulis scored 14 points against Louisville on December 27 in the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry game known as the Battle For The Bluegrass, earning the MVP of the game from the Bluegrass Sports Commission. On December 29, his efforts were named SEC Freshman of the Week honor. Ulis did not start in any of his 37 games as a rookie, but averaged 23.8 minutes played. Following the season, he was selected to the 8-man 2015 SEC All-Freshman Team. Kentucky won in its first 38 games before losing to Wisconsin in the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament on Thursday. Ulis led the team in assists per game.

Ulis was chosen to the 20-Man Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist and the 30-man Lute Olson Award preseason watchlist. The media also selected him as a member of the 2015-16 Southeastern Conference preseason first team. Ulis was ranked 5 by ESPN and 22 by NBC Sports in preseason top 100 players rankings. During the preseason, SB Nation's Mike Rutherford selected Ulis as one of the top college basketball players for 2015-16. On November 17, he appeared on the first 50-man John R. Wooden Award watch list. Ulis was named on the 50-man Naismith College Player of the Year watchlist and 33-man Robertson Trophy watchlists on December 2.

Ulis started the season on November 13 against the Albany Great Danes. Ulis won over the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils in the Champions Classic on November 17, posting a game-high 18 points as well as game-high 6 assists with no turnovers in 40 minutes of play. On November 21, he scored a game-high 21 points and a game-high 5 assists as well as a game-high 5 assists. As a result, he was named SEC Co-Player of the Week on Monday (along with Kenny Gaines). Ulis scored 20 points and 10 assists in Kentucky's 2015-16 Southeastern Conference men's basketball season opener against the Ole Miss Rebels on January 2, 2015. Ulis' first collegiate double-double and Kentucky's first 20-point and 10-assist appearance since John Wall announced one on November 21, 2009. Ulis recorded his third straight 20-point performance in a loss against the Ben Simmons-led LSU Tigers on January 5, posting a career-high 23 points. Ulis was one of the 25 players selected in the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List on January 13. Ulis defeated Arkansas on January 21, 15-15 from the free throw line and 2–3 on three-point shots to post 24. Ulis was selected to the 20-man Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list on January 25, 20-man. Ulis scored a career-high 26 points and 8 assists against #4-ranked Kansas on January 30, but Kentucky lost in overtime. Ulis was selected one of ten finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award on February 1, 2013. Kentucky and South Carolina were tied for first place in the 2015–16 Southeastern Conference standings when they first opened play on February 13. Ulis scored new career highs with 27 points and 12 assists in a game between the two teams, leading to an 89–62 triumph after coach Calipari was ejected early. On February 11, he was selected to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy. On February 12, Ulis was included in the Wooden Award's Late Season Top 20 Watch List. Ulis received SEC Player of the Week awards again on February 15. Ulis was one of the 11 finalists for the Robertson Trophy on February 29, 2011. Ulis finished the regular season with a career-high 14 assists and 14 points against the LSU Tigers on March 5.

Ulis was named SEC Player of the Year by both SEC head coaches and the Associated Press, and was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches in the 2015-2016 Southeastern Conference men's basketball season, as SEC Defensive Player of the Year (the AP does not choose this award or an SEC all-defensive team). He was voted on to both the All-Conference first teams and the coaches' All-SEC defensive team. He was the second player (after Anthony Davis) to receive both the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. Ulis was a member of the National Basketball All-Americans in 2016. He was a first team pick by USA Today, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, Associated Press, CBS Sports, and Sporting News; he was a second team selection by the USBWA and NABC. On March 20, Ulis was selected one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy. On March 29, he was one of ten finalists for the Wooden Award. Associated Press rated Ulis as the shortest All-American since Johnny O'Brien in 1953. Ulis was crowned the Bob Cousy Award.

Ulis scored 25 points and had 4 assists in the semifinal victory over Georgia on March 12 in the SEC men's basketball tournament. Ulis scored a career-high 30 points in the semifinals against regular season co-champion Texas A&M on March 13. He appeared in all 45 minutes of the overtime game. Ulis was tournament MVP. Kentucky revived its rivalry with Indiana in the round of 32 on March 19. In the 73–67 loss to the 2015–16 Hoosiers, Ulis scored 27 points.

Professional career

Ulis declared that he did not want to return to his second two seasons of eligibility and join the 2016 NBA draft at the end of his sophomore season. Ulis was not only the second-shortest player to participate in the 2015 NBA Draft Combine, but he was also the youngest player to play (behind only Kay Felder, who measured 5'9.5" without shoes on (5'8.5") as opposed to an even 5'10" without shoes (6.6.75)), but also the youngest ever active player in draft combine history at 149 pounds (not counting shoes). In addition, about two weeks before the draft was published, Ulis had discovered that he had a hip injury that could need surgery one day. As a result, his draft stock decreased from being a highly awaited mid-first round pick to a projected late-first round or early-second round pick. Ulis downplayed the situation, saying that his hip was just fine. Ulis' second round selection was released by the Phoenix Suns, reuniting with his closest friend and former college buddy Devin Booker in the process. He signed with the Suns on July 7 and joined the team for the 2016 NBA Summer League. Ulis received the equivalent of a late first-round pick's year and the same two-year guarantee. His play in the Summer League contrasted favorably to the four point guards who were drafted in the first round. He averaged 14.5 points and 6.3 assists per game in six games at the Las Vegas Summer League, winning All-NBA Summer League Second Team distinctions.

Ulis made his Suns debut against the Sacramento Kings on October 26, 2016. In 13 minutes of action during the blowout loss, he scored 2 points, a help, a block, and a deadlock, but he was not on the court because Phoenix lowered the deficit from 26 to ten points at one point. He was given a spot in the second unit after his time in mop-up time. Ulis earned a team-high 6 assists in 18 minutes of play against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 31, 2010. In a 116-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers, he had a season-high ten points and four steals. The next night against the Philadelphia 76ers, he matched the 4 steals and added 4 rebounds. He was assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA Development League on December 14th. In a loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors that ended in 5 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds, he returned to Phoenix to face the San Antonio Spurs the next day.

In a 99–91 victory over the Toronto Raptors, he tied his season and career high with 10 points in 15 minutes. The Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies clashed on court on February 8, resulting in suspensions and fines, including a $15,000 fine for Ulis (who came to Booker's defense). In a 133–102 loss to the Houston Rockets on February 11, 2017, Ulis earned a career-high 13 points and tied another career high with six assists. On February 17, he had his number retired at Marian Catholic.

Ulis was promoted to the main rotation of players ahead of Brandon Knight following the break for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. Ulis posted new career-best assists against Memphis (7), and Charlotte (8) on February 28 against Memphis (7) and March 2 against Charlotte (8); and new career-highs in points against Boston (14) and March 5 (including a buzzer beater game-winning three point shot) in his new role. Ulis continued to help the team's assist production post-All-Star break from 18.6 assists per game (tied for last in the NBA) before the break to 24.8 per game in the first two weeks after the break. Ulis made his first NBA appearance against the Sacramento Kings and former Kentucky teammate Skal Labissiere on March 15, who had a career-high 32 points. Ulis lost by 107-101 against the Kings in his first double-double career with 13 points and a season-high 13 assists. Ulis was the first Suns rookie to score at least 12 points and 12 assists in a game since Steve Nash in November 1996. Ulis, who was playing in his second season as a basketball player, scored 19 points and eight assists in a 109-103 loss to Orlando Magic, two days later. In a 124-118 loss to the Clippers on March 30, he had 16 points and tied his career high with 13 assists.

In a 123-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on April 2, he had a near triple-double with career highs of 34 points and nine rebounds as well as nine assists. All NBA rookies were ranked in the top scoring single game during the 2016–17 season single-game high.

Ulis was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month in April, making him the second Suns rookie to win the award during the 2016–17 season (after Marquese Chriss in January). It was the first time two different Suns had been given the award in the same season since the 1987–88 NBA season. Ulis ended April with a lead among rookies (20.7) and assists (6.8) while still releasing 3.8 rebounds. His average of 20.7 points and 6.8 assists was the most by an NBA rookie in a month since Damian Lillard in March 2013. In 61 games for the season, he averaged 16.1 points and 8.5 assists, with 7.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds. Ulis came in 14th in the 10-man NBA All-Rookie team's polling.

Ulis underwent surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City on May 10, 2017. He then missed the 2017 NBA Summer League but returned in time for the start of training camp. Ulis won by 118-110 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 11, 2017, his first appearance of the season. Ulis was involved in a late-game shoving match with Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope six days later, 122-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Ulis won 115-101 over the Philadelphia 76ers on December 4, his first double-double of the season and a season-high 12 assists. Ulis had a career-high 5 steals against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 29.

Ulis extended playing time on March 10, 2018 after missing the first eight games after the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, including T. J. Warren, Booker, and Josh Jackson, who were all sidelined, with T. J. Warren, Booker, and Josh Jackson all injured in a 122-115 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. In a 102-94 loss to the Boston Celtics, he scored a season-high 19 points on March 26, a season-high 19 points. He made a 23-point effort against the Los Angeles Clippers two days later.

Ulis was waived by the Suns on June 30, 2018. He signed with the Golden State Warriors on September 24, 2018, before being suspended on October 12.

Ulis was given waivers by the Chicago Bulls on October 15, 2018, joining the team on a two-way deal with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League. In the Windy City Bulls season opener 96–71 victory over the Lakeland Magic on November 2, Ulis posted game highs of 25 points and 7 assists. Ulis was reported to have undergone a left hip arthroscopy on December 21, 2018. Ulis was waived by the Bulls on December 27, 2018.

Ulis joined the Sacramento Kings on September 24, 2019. The Kings had waived Ulis on October 20, a tribute to the queen. He eventually joined the Stockton Kings, the Kings' G League affiliate. Ulis averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 assists per game, with Stockton.

Ulis joined the Santa Cruz Warriors in October 2021. However, he was suspended on November 4 before appearing in a single game. Ulis was involved in a head-on collision in February 2022.

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