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Tyler Ulis
Tyler Ulis
Tyler Ulis
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Tyler Ulis (born January 5, 1996) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. In 2015, he led his team in assists, 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.[1]

Key Information

He played for Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois.[2] 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

[edit]

Ulis was born in Southfield, Michigan (a Detroit suburb), and lived in Lima, Ohio,[3] with his mother and younger brother, Ahron.[4] He ran track as a youth, competing in the 800 meters and 1500 meters.[3] He trained for basketball with his cousin and 2009 Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year Travis Walton.[3] 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.[3] During his time in middle school, Ulis became friends with future Phoenix Suns teammate Devin Booker.[5]

High school career

[edit]

For high school, Ulis moved to Matteson, Illinois,[3] where he lived with his father, James.[6] In Ohio, he had been used to winning a high percentage of his games.[6] When he arrived at Marian Catholic, he started his first game as a freshman against future Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball starting guard Tracy Abrams.[3] He did not initially enjoy team success. As a freshman, he was 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) tall and was being recruited by opposing high schools. He reached 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) by late in his sophomore year and began being recruited by college basketball teams.[6] By the beginning of his junior season, Marian Catholic was regarded as a serious contender thanks to Ulis.[7]

Because of his height, Ulis was overlooked until well into the recruiting process for top basketball schools. He was not highly recruited until his 2013–14 senior year of high school. Among schools regarded as high-major programs, only Iowa and DePaul made him offers during his junior year.[8] His other offers were from Dayton, Colorado State, Loyola, Northern Illinois and Oregon State.[3][9] During his junior season, his stock soared and Marian Catholic started winning.[9] In the March 2013 Illinois High School Association Class 4A sectional round, Marian Catholic vied against Bloom High School and then played Edwardsville High School in the supersectional round.[10][11] Although Marian lost to a much taller Edwardsville team, it established a school record for wins with a 29–4 record and it won its IHSA sectional for the first time.[12] Ulis finished fourth in the Illinois Mr. Basketball balloting behind Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor and Malcolm Hill.[13] He was a first team All-state selection by the Chicago Tribune along with Parker, Okafor, Cliff Alexander and Jalen Brunson.[14]

"[Kentucky made the list because] of the success they have had there recently...John Calipari has produced the most point guards in recent years and has taken them right to the NBA. He obviously knows how to coach point guards. He knows how to put them in positions to lead the team. He’s a tough coach. There’s accountability from Day 1 to win and win at a high level."

—Ulis' father, James Ulis[15]

By August 8, 2013, when he was ranked as the 38th-best prospect in the national class of 2014 and its eighth-best point guard by ESPN, he had several offers and named Iowa, Kentucky (although he did not have an offer from them at the time), Michigan State and USC as his finalists (eliminating DePaul, Florida State, Northwestern and Purdue).[16] Walton, Tyler's cousin, had played for Michigan State.[16] He received an official offer from Kentucky on August 16.[15] In early September, Ulis announced that he would not take an official visit to USC and had eliminated them from consideration.[17] On September 13, Ulis committed to Kentucky.[18][19] Subsequently, Tyus Jones canceled his September 27–29 official visit to Kentucky.[20]

Ulis entered his senior season as one of the five favorites to win Illinois Mr. Basketball (along with Okafor, Alexander, Brunson and Keita Bates-Diop).[21] On December 7, 2013, at the UIC Pavilion in the Chicago Elite Classic, 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. Ulis had 30 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.[22][23] The January 25, 2014, matchup against junior Brunson and Stevenson High School was widely anticipated in the local press as the matchup of the two best point guards in the state.[24][25] Stevenson won as Brunson had 32 points on 9-for-15 field goal shooting and an 11-for-14 free throw performance. Ulis had 23 points and 9 assists, including 18 points and 3 assists in the final eight minutes, but was only 5-for-20 from the field for the game.[26] Ulis posted a career-high 42 points on February 22 against Lake Forest High School to go along with 6 steals, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.[27]

During his senior year, Marian was the number 1 seed in the Thornton sectional of the IHSA Class 4A tournament. On March 11, Ulis had 40 points to lead Marian past Bloom High School 66–45. In the game, which was a rematch from the prior year, he made his first six shots, all three-pointers.[28][29] On March 18, Marian lost its supersectional rematch against Edwardsville in overtime, again falling one game short of reaching the final four in Peoria, Illinois and finishing with a 28–3 record. In the game, Ulis, who had 23 points and 4 assists, tied the score with 21 seconds in regulation and with 50 seconds left in overtime.[30][31] In the April 18 Jordan Brand Classic, Ulis posted 9 points and 9 assists.[32]

Awards and honors

[edit]
Ulis at the 2014 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

He was selected to the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game on January 29 (along with fellow Chicagoans Okafor and Alexander as well as along with fellow Kentucky commits Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles and Devin Booker).[2][33] On March 10 he was one of 26 players selected for the April 18, 2014 Jordan Brand Classic again along with fellow Chicagoans Okafor and Alexander as well as along with fellow Kentucky commits Towns, Lyles and Booker.[34] He was named Associated Press Class 4A 1st team all-state with Alexander, Brunson, Okafor and Sean O'Mara.[35] Ulis finished third to Okafor and Alexander in the Illinois Mr. Basketball voting.[36] He was the runner-up in both the skills competition and the three-point contest at the McDonald's All-American Game.[37] He was a 2014 USA Today third-team All-USA Boys Basketball Team selection.[38]

The decision by Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison on whether to enter the 2014 NBA draft would be the determining factor on whether Ulis became an immediate starter or not. Many thought Andrew would be Calipari's seventh consecutive point guard to declare for the NBA draft after his freshman season, but that Ulis would likely last much longer at Kentucky.[39][40] On April 25, the Harrisons announced that they would be returning to Kentucky.[41]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Tyler Ulis
PG 		Chicago Heights, IL Marian Catholic (IL) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 150 lb (68 kg) Sep 13, 2013 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 20, 3 (PG)    Rivals: 21    ESPN: 25, 4 (IL), 4 (PG)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kentucky 2014 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  • "2014 Kentucky Basketball Commits". Scout. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved May 1, 2014.

College career

[edit]

Freshman season

[edit]
Ulis at the Kentucky Blue-White Scrimmage in 2014

During the offseason, Ulis wore a walking boot on his right foot following a pick-up game injury for precautionary reasons.[42] Ulis was also named to the 36-man 2014–15 Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist and the Wayman Tisdale Award watchlist.[43][44] Ulis quickly earned a reputation as a difference maker whose contributions may not be obvious in the statistics.[45] On December 10, he was sidelined with an injury.[46] Ulis posted a season-high 14 points on December 27 against Louisville in the Kentucky–Louisville rivalry game known as the Battle For The Bluegrass, earning the MVP of the game from the Bluegrass Sports Commission.[47][48] On December 29, his effort was recognized with an SEC Freshman of the Week honor.[49][50] Ulis did not start in any his 37 games played as a freshman, but averaged 23.8 minutes played.[51] Following the season, he was named to the 8-man 2015 SEC All-Freshman Team.[52] Kentucky went undefeated in its first 38 games before losing to Wisconsin in the Final Four of the 2015 NCAA men's Division I basketball tournament.[53] Ulis led the team in assists per game.[54]

Sophomore season

[edit]
Ulis in March 2016

Ulis was a selection to the 20-man Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist,[55] and the 30-man Lute Olson Award preseason watchlist.[56] He was also a 2015–16 Southeastern Conference preseason first team All-conference selection by the media.[57] In preseason top-100 player rankings Ulis was ranked #5 by ESPN and #22 by NBC Sports.[58][59] During the preseason, Mike Rutherford of SB Nation selected Ulis as one of its 10 most important college basketball players for 2015–16.[60] He made the initial 50-man John R. Wooden Award watchlist on November 17.[61] On December 2, Ulis earned recognition on the 50-man Naismith College Player of the Year watchlist[62] and 33-man Robertson Trophy watchlists.[63]

Ulis opened the season in the starting lineup against the Albany Great Danes on November 13.[64] On November 17, Ulis posted game-high and career-high 18 points as well as game-high 6 assists with no turnovers in 40 minutes of play in a victory over the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils in the Champions Classic.[65][66] He posted a game-high and career-high 21 points as well as a game-high 5 assists on November 21 against Wright State.[51][66] As a result, on November 23, he earned SEC Co-Player of the Week (along with Kenny Gaines).[66] In Kentucky's 2015–16 Southeastern Conference men's basketball season opener against the Ole Miss Rebels on January 2, Ulis posted 20 points and 10 assists.[67][68] The game marked Ulis' first collegiate double-double and Kentucky's first 20-point and 10-assist performance since John Wall posted one on November 21, 2009.[69] On January 5, Ulis posted his third straight 20-point performance with a career-high 23 points in a loss against the Ben Simmons-led LSU Tigers.[70][71] On January 13, Ulis was among the 25 players included in the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List.[72] On January 21, Ulis went 14–15 from the free throw line and 2–3 on three-point shots to post 24 against Arkansas.[73] Ulis was named to the January 25, 20-man Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list.[74] On January 30, Ulis posted a career-high 26 points and 8 assists against #4-ranked Kansas, but Kentucky lost in overtime.[75] On February 1, Ulis was named one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.[76] Entering play on February 13, Kentucky and South Carolina were tied atop of the 2015–16 Southeastern Conference standings. In a game between the two, Ulis posted new career highs with 27 points and 12 assists, leading the team to an 89–62 victory, after coach Calipari was ejected early.[77] He was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy on February 11.[78] Ulis was included in the Wooden Award Late season Top 20 Watch List on February 12.[79] On February 15, Ulis earned SEC Player of the Week honors again.[80] On February 29, Ulis was among the 11 finalists for the Robertson Trophy.[81] On March 5, Ulis closed out the regular season with a career-high 14 assists and 14 points against the LSU Tigers.[82]

Following the 2015–16 Southeastern Conference men's basketball season, Ulis was named the SEC Player of the Year by both SEC head coaches and the Associated Press, and was also named by the coaches as SEC Defensive Player of the Year (the AP does not select this award, or an SEC all-defensive team). He placed on both voting bodies' All-Conference first teams, and was named to the coaches' All-SEC defensive team.[83][84] He was the second player (after Anthony Davis) to earn both the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season.[85] Ulis earned broad 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans recognition. He was a first team selection by USA Today,[86] ESPN,[87] Sports Illustrated,[88] NBC Sports,[89] Associated Press,[90] CBS Sports[91] and The Sporting News;[92] He was a second-team selection by the USBWA and NABC.[93][94] Ulis was named one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy on March 20.[95] He was named one of 10 finalists for the Wooden Award on March 29.[96] When naming Ulis to its All-American team, Associated Press described Ulis as the shortest All-American since Johnny O'Brien in 1953.[90] Ulis won the Bob Cousy Award.[97]

In the 2016 SEC men's basketball tournament, Ulis scored 25 points and had 4 assists in the semifinal victory over Georgia on March 12.[98] In the finals against regular season co-champion Texas A&M on March 13, Ulis posted a career-high 30 points. He played all 45 minutes of the overtime contest.[99] Ulis was tournament MVP.[100] In the 2016 NCAA men's Division I basketball tournament, Kentucky renewed its rivalry with Indiana in the round of 32 on March 19. Ulis posted 27 points in the 73–67 loss to the 2015–16 Hoosiers.[101]

Professional career

[edit]

Phoenix Suns (2016–2018)

[edit]

At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Ulis announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and enter the 2016 NBA draft. During the 2016 NBA Draft Combine, Ulis was not only the second-shortest player to participate in the event (behind only Kay Felder, who measured at 5'9½" with shoes on (5'8½" without shoes) as opposed to an even 5'10" with shoes on (5'8¾" without them)), but he was also the lightest-recorded player in draft combine history at 149 pounds (68 kg), which affected his draft stock.[102] Furthermore, about two weeks before the draft began, it was revealed that Ulis had a problem with his hip that may one day require surgery. As a result, his draft stock declined from being an expected mid-first-round selection to being either a projected late-first-round or early-second-round selection.[103] Ulis downplayed the issue, claiming that his hip was just fine.[104] However, Ulis was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round with the 34th selection,[105] being reunited with his best friend and former college teammate Devin Booker in the process.[106] On July 7, he signed with the Suns and joined the team for the 2016 NBA Summer League.[107] Ulis received the equivalent of a late first-round pick's contract, starting at around $1 million and having the same two guaranteed years with two team option years.[108] In the Summer League, his play compared favorably to the four point guards who were taken in the first round.[109] Over six games at the Las Vegas Summer League, he averaged 14.5 points and 6.3 assists per game,[110] subsequently earning All-NBA Summer League Second Team honors.[111]

2016–17 season

[edit]
Ulis with the Phoenix Suns in 2017

Ulis debuted with the Suns on October 26, 2016, against the Sacramento Kings.[112] He posted 2 points, a rebound, an assist, a steal and a block in 13 minutes of action during the blowout loss,[113] but was on the court as Phoenix cut the deficit from 26 to 10 points at one point.[114] His play in mop-up time earned him a role in the second unit.[115] On October 31, Ulis posted a team-high 6 assists in 18 minutes of play against the Los Angeles Clippers.[116] On November 18, he scored a season-high 10 points and 4 steals in a 116–96 win over the Indiana Pacers.[117] He matched the 4 steals and added 4 rebounds the next night against the Philadelphia 76ers.[118] On December 14, he was assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA Development League.[119] He managed to record 13 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in a loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors before returning to Phoenix to play against the San Antonio Spurs the next day.[120]

On December 29, he matched his season and career high with 10 points in 15 minutes in a 99–91 win over the Toronto Raptors.[121] On February 8, there was an oncourt altercation between the Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies resulting in suspensions and fines, including a $15,000 fine for Ulis[122] (who came to the defense of Booker).[123] On February 11, 2017, Ulis recorded a career-high 13 points and tied another career high with six assists in a 133–102 loss to the Houston Rockets.[124] On February 17, he had his number retired at Marian Catholic.[125]

Following the break for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, Ulis was moved into the main rotation of players ahead of Brandon Knight.[126] In his new role, Ulis set new career highs in assists on February 28 against Memphis (7),[127] and March 2 against Charlotte (8);[128] and new career highs in points on March 3 against Oklahoma City (14)[129] and March 5 against Boston (20, including a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-point shot).[130] Ulis helped improve the team's assist production post All-Star break from 18.6 assists per game (tied for last in the NBA) prior to the break to 24.8 per game in the first two weeks after the break.[131] Ulis received his first NBA start (in place of an injured, resting Eric Bledsoe) on March 15 against the Sacramento Kings and former Kentucky teammate Skal Labissière, who had a career-high 32 points. Ulis record his first career double-double with 13 points and a season-high 13 assists in a 107–101 loss against the Kings.[132][133] Ulis became the first Suns rookie with at least 12 points and 12 assists in a game since Steve Nash in November 1996.[134] Two days later, Ulis, making his second career NBA start, scored 19 points and added eight assists in a 109–103 loss to Orlando Magic.[135] On March 30, he had 16 points and matched his career best with 13 assists in a 124–118 loss to the Clippers.[136][137]

On April 2, he had a near-triple-double with career highs of 34 points and nine rebounds as well as nine assists in a 123–116 loss to the Houston Rockets.[138][139] The 34 points was a 2016–17 season single-game high for all NBA rookies.[139]

Ulis was subsequently named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April,[139] becoming 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 earned the award in the same season since the 1987–88 NBA season.[140] Ulis ended April by leading all rookies in points (20.7) and assists (6.8), while also recording 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.[140] While he averaged 7.3 points, 3.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 61 games for the season, he averaged 16.1 points and 8.5 assists in games that he started.[140] Ulis finished 14th in the voting for the 10-man NBA All-Rookie team.[141]

2017–18 season

[edit]

On May 10, 2017, Ulis had surgery performed on his right ankle by Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.[142] He subsequently missed the 2017 NBA Summer League,[143] but returned in time for the start of training camp. Ulis made his first start of the season on November 11, 2017, in a 118–110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[144] Six days later, in their 122–113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Ulis was involved in a late-game shoving match with Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.[145] Ulis recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 12 assists in a 115–101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on December 4.[146] Ulis posted a career-high[citation needed] 5 steals on January 29 against the Memphis Grizzlies.[147]

After missing the first 8 games after the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, Ulis had extended playing time on March 10, 2018, when T. J. Warren, Booker and Josh Jackson were all sidelined, recording a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists in a 122–115 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[148][149] On March 26, he scored a season-high 19 points in a 102–94 loss to the Boston Celtics.[150] He had a 23-point effort two days later against the Los Angeles Clippers.[151]

On June 30, 2018, Ulis was waived by the Suns.[152] He later signed with the Golden State Warriors on September 24, 2018,[153] before being waived on October 12.[154]

Chicago Bulls (2018)

[edit]

On October 15, 2018, Ulis was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bulls, joining the team on a two-way contract with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League.[155] Ulis posted game highs of 25 points and 7 assists in Windy City's season-opening 96–71 victory against the Lakeland Magic on November 2.[156] On December 21, 2018, Ulis was reported to have undergone a left hip arthroscopy.[157] On December 27, 2018, Ulis was waived by the Bulls.[158]

Stockton Kings (2019–2020)

[edit]

On September 24, 2019, Ulis signed with the Sacramento Kings.[159] On October 20, Ulis was waived by the Kings.[160] He ultimately landed with Sacramento's G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.[161] Ulis averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 assists per game with Stockton.[162]

In October 2021, Ulis joined the Santa Cruz Warriors.[163] However, he was waived on November 4, before appearing in a single game.[164]

Return to Kentucky

[edit]

While recuperating from a February 2022 car accident, he re-enrolled as a full-time student at Kentucky to work towards his degree during the 2022–23 academic year, making him eligible to be hired as a student assistant coach for the team. In late December, he joined the team in that role.[165]

On September 20, 2024, Ulis joined the Arkansas Razorbacks as a basketball assistant.[166]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Phoenix 61 15 18.4 .421 .266 .775 1.6 3.7 .8 .1 7.3
2017–18 Phoenix 71 43 23.4 .388 .288 .832 1.8 4.4 1.0 .1 7.7
2018–19 Chicago 1 0 1.0 – – – .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Career 133 58 20.9 .403 .280 .808 1.7 4.0 .9 .1 7.5

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Kentucky 37 0 23.8 .406 .429 .808 1.8 3.6 1.0 .1 5.6
2015–16 Kentucky 35 35 36.8 .434 .344 .856 3.0 7.0 1.5 .1 17.3
Career 72 35 30.1 .427 .371 .846 2.4 5.3 1.2 .1 11.3

Personal life

[edit]

In February 2022, Ulis endured a head-on collision in a car crash.[167]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tyler Ulis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tyler Ulis (born January 5, 1996) is an American basketball coach and former professional player, best known for his exceptional college career at the University of Kentucky and his brief but impactful stint in the NBA. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, Ulis overcame his undersized stature as a point guard to become a dynamic leader on the court, earning consensus first-team All-American honors in 2016 and leading Kentucky to a 38-1 record during his sophomore season. After being selected 34th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, he played three seasons in the league, averaging 7.5 points and 4.0 assists per game across 133 regular-season appearances, before transitioning to coaching following a serious car accident in 2022. Born in , and raised in the Chicago area, Ulis honed his skills at Marian Catholic High School in , where he became the program's all-time leader in points (2,335), assists (578), and steals (283). A All-American in 2014 and a participant in the , he was rated as a five-star recruit and finished in the top four in voting twice. At under coach from 2014 to 2016, Ulis exploded as a sophomore, capturing SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and SEC Tournament MVP honors while winning the as the nation's top . He set a school record with 246 assists in a single season (7.0 per game) and ranked 10th on 's all-time assists list with 381, helping the Wildcats reach the in 2015 before losing 71-64 to in the semifinal. In the NBA, Ulis debuted with the Suns in 2016-17, quickly establishing himself as a reliable backup with averages of 7.3 points and 3.7 assists in 61 games during his rookie year. He split time between the Suns and over the next two seasons before concluding his professional playing career with the in the during 2019-20. Following a serious car accident in 2022, Ulis transitioned to coaching, serving as a student assistant at from 2022 to 2024 and leading the "La Familia" team to the semifinals of in summer 2024. In September 2024, he joined Calipari's staff at the as an assistant coach, entering his second season there as of 2025 and contributing to the Razorbacks' backcourt development amid the program's transition under the new .

Early years

Early life

Tyler Ulis was born on January 5, 1996, in , a suburb of . During his early childhood, his family relocated to , where he spent formative years in the school district and developed an interest in sports. Growing up with his mother, Kelly Reed, stepfather , and younger brother Jaden, Ulis was influenced by a basketball-oriented family; his father, James Ulis, worked as a district store director for Nike. From around age 10, Ulis began intensive training under the guidance of his cousin Travis Walton, a standout defender who played at Michigan State from 2005 to 2009 and later became an assistant coach there. These sessions, often held at the Lima YMCA, helped build his skills and resilience, as Walton, nearly a decade older, pushed him through rigorous drills and one-on-one games. Ulis also formed an early friendship with future NBA star around eighth grade while competing on the AAU circuit, a bond that sharpened his competitive drive through mutual encouragement and shared workouts. Despite showing promise in track events like the 800- and 1,500-meter runs during AAU competitions from ages 8 to 12, Ulis encountered significant hurdles in youth basketball owing to his 5-foot-9 stature, which led to him being frequently overlooked by coaches and scouts who prioritized height over skill. This underestimation fueled his determination, as he shifted fully to basketball after quitting track and honed his quickness and basketball IQ to compensate. Prior to high school, his family moved again to the area, where he committed to Marian Catholic High School in .

High school career

Ulis attended Marian Catholic High School in , from 2010 to 2014, where he developed into a standout despite his 5-foot-9 stature. Early in his high school career, he trained with his cousin Travis Walton, a former Michigan State standout and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, which helped hone his defensive skills and basketball IQ. As a junior, Ulis earned first-team All-State honors in and led Marian Catholic to 29 wins, but it was his senior year that marked a significant breakout, drawing national attention to his quickness, scoring ability, and playmaking. During his senior season in 2013–14, Ulis averaged 23.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, guiding the Spartans to a 28–5 record and a second consecutive supersectional appearance in the IHSA Class 4A playoffs. He showcased his scoring prowess with standout performances, including 40 points in a sectional win over Bloom High School. His leadership and tenacity on both ends of the court earned him selections to prestigious all-star events, including the 2014 , where he contributed 5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 16 minutes, and the . Ulis overcame initial recruiting skepticism due to his height, which limited early scholarship offers from major programs, but his senior-year dominance transformed him into a five-star recruit. By the end of high school, he was ranked among the top point guards nationally—No. 3 by , No. 5 by , and No. 18 overall by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index—securing offers from elite schools such as , Michigan State, and before committing to the Wildcats.

College career

Freshman season

As a All-American recruit, Tyler Ulis arrived at the for the 2014–15 season, joining a highly touted class under coach . Despite standing at just 5-foot-9, the shortest player on the roster, Ulis earned a spot in the rotation without any redshirt designation and contributed as a reserve . He appeared in 37 of Kentucky's 39 games off the bench, averaging 23.8 minutes per contest while providing ball-handling stability and playmaking support to the team's star-laden lineup. Ulis posted season averages of 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, ranking second on the in total assists with 135. His efficient play helped facilitate Kentucky's explosive offense, as the Wildcats achieved a program-record 38–1 overall mark, captured the regular-season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA before a semifinal loss to . Ulis's poise under pressure was evident in key moments, including a career-highlight performance against rival Louisville on December 27, where he scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting—including three 3-pointers—while adding two assists without a turnover, helping secure a 58–50 victory despite suffering a bloody cut to his face. For his contributions as a reserve, Ulis was selected to the All-Freshman Team by the league's coaches, recognizing his impact among a deep rookie class that included future NBA talents like and .

Sophomore season

In his sophomore season, Tyler Ulis emerged as the starting for the , starting all 35 games he appeared in and serving as the team's primary offensive facilitator. Averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, Ulis demonstrated exceptional ball-handling efficiency with a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, leading the in assists per game. His scoring and playmaking were pivotal in key matchups, including a career-high 30 points in the SEC Tournament championship game against Texas A&M, where he also contributed to Kentucky's tournament MVP honors after averaging 24.0 points and 5.0 assists over three games. Ulis's leadership helped guide to a 27–9 overall record, a share of the SEC regular-season title, and the SEC Tournament championship. In the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats advanced past Saint Mary's in the first round before falling to in the second round. Building on limited minutes as a freshman reserve, Ulis's breakout performance underscored his growth into a complete floor general. His individual excellence earned Ulis multiple accolades, including SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year as selected by the league's coaches, making him the first player to win both awards in the same season since the defensive honor began in 2008. He was also named the winner of the as the nation's top and became a consensus first-team All-American, the shortest player to achieve that distinction since 1953. Following the season's conclusion, Ulis declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2016–2018)

Ulis was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. His selection came after a standout sophomore season at Kentucky, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors, boosting his draft stock despite concerns over his 5-foot-9 frame. On July 7, 2016, the Suns signed Ulis to a four-year rookie contract worth $4 million, with the first two years fully guaranteed. In his 2016–17 season, Ulis appeared in 61 games for the Suns, averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game. He started 15 of those contests, often filling in amid injuries to the Suns' backcourt, and showed promise as a quick, playmaking guard capable of creating scoring opportunities. Ulis had several standout performances, including a career-high 34 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in an April 2 loss to the . During the 2017–18 season, Ulis played in 71 games, starting 43, while averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. He demonstrated defensive tenacity, recording a career-high five steals in a January 29 loss to the . However, increased competition in the Suns' guard rotation limited his consistency, as the team struggled to a 21–61 record. On June 30, 2018, the Suns waived Ulis one day before his $1.54 million salary for the 2018–19 season would have become guaranteed, creating cap space during the team's rebuilding efforts.

Chicago Bulls (2018–2019)

On October 15, 2018, following his waiver by the in late June of that year, Ulis was claimed off waivers by the and signed to a , allowing him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the . Ulis made his only NBA appearance for the Bulls on October 18, 2018, in a season-opening loss to the , where he played one minute without scoring or recording an assist. His limited NBA opportunities stemmed from the Bulls' deep backcourt rotation, featuring players like , , and . Assigned to the , Ulis showcased his playmaking and scoring abilities, averaging 23.3 points, 8.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game across four appearances before an injury sidelined him. In late December 2018, Ulis underwent hip surgery, which further restricted his availability. The Bulls waived him on December 27, 2018, to sign guard Brandon Sampson to a two-way deal.

Sacramento Kings and affiliates (2019–2020)

On September 24, 2019, Ulis signed a partially guaranteed one-year contract worth approximately $1.67 million with the Sacramento Kings, entering training camp as a free agent following his waiver by the Chicago Bulls in December 2018. Ulis did not appear in any preseason or regular-season games for the Kings due to a lingering . On October 20, 2019, he was waived by the team to finalize its regular-season roster. After his release, Ulis joined the Kings' affiliate, the , where he continued his professional playing career during the 2019–20 season. Limited by the , Ulis appeared in 8 total games before the league suspended operations in March 2020 amid the . In those outings, he averaged 6.8 points, 3.6 assists, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 12.4 minutes per game, often serving as a backup . Ulis returned to the court on February 10, 2020, scoring 11 points and recording 5 assists in a loss to the . The suspension of the G League season prevented further play that year, occurring just before the NBA's resumption in the Orlando bubble.

Santa Cruz Warriors (2021–2022)

After being waived by the , Ulis signed with the of the in October 2021. The team acquired his returning rights in an offseason trade and added him to their roster announced on October 25, 2021. Ulis participated in G League Media Day on November 1, 2021, posing for official team portraits. However, the Warriors placed him on waivers on November 4, 2021, prior to the regular season tip-off, and he did not appear in any games for the team. This marked the conclusion of Ulis's professional playing career, as recurring health issues prompted an unofficial retirement announcement in the aftermath of the season.

Coaching career

Kentucky Wildcats (2022–2024)

After retiring from professional basketball due to injuries, Tyler Ulis returned to the in the fall of 2022 as a student to complete his . In late December 2022, Ulis joined the staff as a student assistant coach under head coach , beginning his duties at the start of the spring 2023 semester for the remainder of the 2022–23 season. He continued in the role for the full 2023–24 season. As a student assistant, Ulis's responsibilities encompassed on-court activities such as practices, individual player workouts, and film sessions, along with assisting the in scouting opponents and developing game plans. Drawing from his experience as a standout , he particularly contributed to the skill development of younger guards in the backcourt, sharing expertise on ball-handling, , and offensive execution. During Ulis's tenure, the Wildcats achieved a 23–10 record in the 2023–24 season and earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA , though they were eliminated in the first round by .

Arkansas Razorbacks (2024–present)

On September 20, 2024, Tyler Ulis was hired as a full-time assistant coach for the men's basketball team under head coach , who had recently transitioned from the . Ulis, who had no prior professional connection to , joined the staff as part of Calipari's relocation, marking a reunion with his former college coach from his playing days at . His appointment followed two seasons as a student assistant at , where he gained initial coaching experience. In his role, Ulis oversees all on-court activities, including practices, individual workouts, film sessions, and assisting with game planning. He also contributes to recruiting efforts and focuses on developing the team's guards, leveraging his background as a former . Ulis draws on his professional playing experience in the NBA to mentor players, particularly in skill development for backcourt talent like DJ Wagner. In preparations for the 2024–25 season, Ulis emphasized defensive schemes, informed by his own achievement as the 2016 SEC Defensive Player of the Year during his sophomore season at . His NBA tenure with teams like the and provided practical insights into high-level execution, helping to integrate professional-level strategies into the Razorbacks' defensive approach. In the 2024–25 season, the Razorbacks compiled a 22–14 record (8–10 in SEC play), earned a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament, upset No. 7 in the first round and No. 2 St. John's in the second round to advance to the Sweet 16, where they fell to No. 3 Texas Tech 85–83 in overtime.

Career statistics

NBA

Ulis appeared in 133 regular-season games over three NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls, averaging 7.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. His career shooting percentages were 40.1% from the field, 28.2% from three-point range, and 81.1% from the free-throw line. In the 2016–17 season with the Suns, Ulis played 61 games and averaged 7.3 points per game. During the 2017–18 season, also with the Suns, he appeared in 71 games, averaging 7.8 points per game. In 2018–19 with the Bulls, he played in 1 game, recording 0.0 points per game. Ulis did not appear in any NBA playoff games, as none of his teams qualified for the postseason during his tenure.
SeasonTeamGPPPG
2016–17PHX617.3
2017–18PHX717.8
2018–19CHI10.0
Career1337.5

G League

Ulis began his G League career with a single-game appearance for the Suns during the 2016–17 season, where he recorded 13 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in 36 minutes. In the 2018–19 season, under a with the , Ulis played 5 games for their affiliate, the , averaging 18.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.62. His performance highlighted his role as a primary ball-handler in limited opportunities, often coming off the bench to facilitate the offense. During the 2019–20 season, signed to a with the , Ulis appeared in 8 games for the , posting averages of 6.8 points, 3.6 assists, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.1 steals per game, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.00. These outings reflected adjusted minutes due to NBA call-ups and injuries. Ulis joined the in October 2021 but was waived on November 4, 2021, prior to significant regular-season play, resulting in no recorded G League games for that affiliate. Across his G League tenure with the Suns, , and , Ulis played a total of 14 games, averaging 11.3 points, 5.1 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, with no playoff or G League Finals appearances.
SeasonTeamGamesPPGAPGRPGSPGA/TO
2016–17Northern Arizona Suns113.09.05.03.02.25
2018–19518.26.83.21.62.62
2019–2086.83.60.40.12.00
Career1411.35.11.70.92.3

College

Tyler Ulis played for the for two seasons, from 2014 to 2016. As a during the 2014–15 season, Ulis appeared in 37 games off the bench, averaging 5.6 points, 3.6 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game while helping to a 38–1 record. In his sophomore year of 2015–16, Ulis emerged as a starter in all 35 games, boosting his production to averages of 17.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, en route to setting the single-season assists record with 246. Over his 72 total college games, Ulis compiled career per-game averages of 11.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. As a , Ulis posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.6, which ranked sixth in the NCAA. In the 2016 NCAA Tournament, Ulis averaged 18.5 across Kentucky's two contests.

Personal life

Family background

Tyler Ulis was born on January 5, 1996, in , to father James Ulis and mother Kelly Reed. He also has a , Leslye Ulis, with whom his father shares a close family dynamic. James Ulis has been instrumental in supporting Tyler's journey, often providing guidance and attending key events throughout his career. The family maintained strong bonds despite Ulis's early relocations, which included time spent in , living primarily with his mother before transitioning to , to reside with his father ahead of high school. Ulis has several siblings, including younger brother Ahron Ulis, who followed in his footsteps by playing at Marian Catholic High School in , where he earned two-time East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year honors. Other siblings include Jay Ulis, Jaden Reed, Anton Porter, and James Ulis Jr., reflecting a blended family structure that emphasized mutual support. Ahron, in particular, benefited from the family's basketball-oriented environment, developing his skills alongside Tyler during their shared high school years. Extended family played a significant role in Ulis's development, notably his Travis Walton, a former standout and 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, who provided hands-on basketball training and mentorship from Ulis's . Although not blood relatives, the families' deep connection dates back to Ulis's youth in , where Walton conducted workouts at local facilities like the . This guidance helped shape Ulis's competitive edge and . As of 2025, Ulis has no publicly reported spouse or children.

2022 car accident

On February 26, 2022, Tyler Ulis was involved in a serious on while driving from to Toledo. The accident occurred in the early morning when another vehicle, traveling the wrong way northbound in the southbound lanes, struck Ulis's car directly. Ulis had signed a training camp contract with the of the in October 2021 but was waived on November 4, 2021, before playing any games. The accident effectively ended his professional playing career. Ulis sustained multiple fractures from the crash, including a broken left ankle, broken bones in one foot, and broken bones in both wrists, along with minor cuts and bruises. He underwent on his ankle shortly after the incident and required extensive rehabilitation, remaining unable to walk without assistance—using a , walker, or crutches—for nearly six months. The accident profoundly affected Ulis emotionally, which he later described as a life-altering event that tested his resilience and prompted early reflections on his professional playing future. In interviews during recovery, Ulis expressed gratitude for avoiding more severe outcomes like brain injuries, stating, "I was blessed," and credited his family's support—particularly his girlfriend—for aiding his mental and physical healing. He also drew strength from his faith amid the uncertainty. Ultimately, the injuries contributed to the end of his on-court career, as confirmed in subsequent reports.

References

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