Tyler Ulis Declares for 2016 NBA Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction
Kentucky Wildcats star point guard Tyler Ulis won't return for his final two years of college, opting instead to declare for the 2016 NBA draft.
Evan Daniels of Scout.com initially reported the news of Ulis' intentions to go pro on Wednesday and spoke with NBA scouts who expect the 20-year-old to be drafted in the first round. Ulis confirmed his intentions, per Kentucky Athletics.
Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com reported that Ulis will hire an agent, which precludes the possibility of a return to college.
Although Ulis is listed by the Wildcats at only 5'9" and 160 pounds, his size doesn't prevent him from being a force on both ends of the court. He averaged 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists (to only 2.0 turnovers) and 1.5 steals per contest this past season.
He didn't shoot quite as well from beyond the arc as he did in his first year with Kentucky, but Ulis was also responsible for being the Wildcats' chief catalyst. A large increase in minutes from 23.8 to 36.8 per game showed the type of stamina Ulis has.
After being a significant contributor to Kentucky's 38-1 squad and then emerging as a leader this season, Ulis had little else to accomplish in Lexington before making the NBA leap. The first-team All-American's stock probably wouldn't have benefited from staying in school another year.
The question is whether Ulis can become a starter in the Association, and the draft process will raise persistent questions and debates about his size. There's no denying Ulis could stand to bulk up his frame.
Teams who passed on 5'9" current Boston Celtics floor general Isaiah Thomas are regretting it. Thomas was the final pick in the 2011 NBA draft and now leads Boston's playoff-bound team in scoring at 22.3 points per game.
"For small guys, I think it translates even better in the NBA than college just because the floor's more open," said Thomas of Ulis, per SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria. "It gives you more space to create, and if he could [dribble-drive] and shoot the ball, l think he's going to have a spot in this league."
Ulis was widely perceived as the best player at his position in college and couldn't have played for more of a big-time program. He seems as equipped as anyone to handle the NBA spotlight and criticism that comes with it.
At the very least Ulis could be a big spark off the bench to begin his pro career. His prowess as a perimeter defender will likely help him earn minutes, and being fresh with strong complementary players around him figures to help him shrug off the doubters.
Kentucky has to be sad to see Ulis go, but coach John Calipari is accustomed to most of his top players taking one-and-done stops before going to the NBA.
Calipari has successfully lured 247Sports' No. 1 point guard from the class of 2016, De'Aaron Fox, who figures to fill in and run the show for the Wildcats in 2016-17.
