Kentucky commit Tyler Ulis is a talented player, but at only 5’10” with a thin frame, he was often looked over because of his size.
Ulis told CSN Chicago
I was about 5’3″ coming in as a freshman, so, I mean, what college would want to pick a guy that is 5’3″ as a freshman to offer a scholarship? I just knew that I would grow one day and get a few inches and so I just went in the gym and worked hard.”
CSN Chicago’s Scott Phillips on Ulis:
…despite being only 5-foot-10 and small and skinny in stature, the Kentucky commit might be the most exciting player to watch in the Chicagoland area.
Ulis is a candidate for Mr. Basketball in Illinois and averaged 21.9 points, 4.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game in his junior season at Marian Catholic.
When college coaches began contacting Marian Catholic head coach Mike Taylor about Ulis, his elite skills were apparent, but they questioned his size.
“The biggest thing (asked) is, ‘What do you need to improve on?’ and the running joke was his size,” Taylor said. “But we just tried to tell them to watch him as a basketball player and forget about the athletes. Once you take into consideration how good of a basketball player he is, I think he’s the best player on the floor.”
Ulis is prepared to work hard and prove himself at Kentucky, but admits he isn’t trying to be a one-and-done.
Coach Cal is great at developing point guards,” Ulis said. “You see guards like Brandon Knight and Marquis Teague and they struggled in the beginning of the season and you see now the Harrisons have struggled a little bit but as the year progresses everybody gets better. To be committed and signed to that program is just a great opportunity.
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