Tyler Ulis’ coach says size will not detract from his college success

By Brett Bibbins

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UK head coach John Calipari has seen some talented point guards in his five years at UK.

Each year, a new player has run the point, and four out of the five point guards moved onto the NBA Draft after one year and were selected in the first round.

Tyler Ulis has committed to be next in the line of Calipari point guards, a position that comes with a lot of media attention.

Scrutiny is heavy at a place like UK, as Calipari said last week.

He called the Cats “the most overanalyzed team I’ve ever seen” after his team’s win over the University of Mississippi on Feb. 4.

Marian Catholic head coach Mike Taylor, Ulis’ high school coach, said he does not think the pressure will affect Ulis.

“He’s seen everything high school teams can throw at him. I understand that the stage is a lot bigger, but he just continues to meet challenges,” Taylor said,

“And with everything he’s been asked to do over four years, I think he’s prepared for it.”

The 5-foot-9-inch, 150-pound Matteson, Ill.. native is ranked as the No. 4 point guard and No. 24 overall player in ESPN’s Class of 2014 rankings.

Through 17 games this season, Ulis is averaging 23.1 points and 6.9 assists per game, according to Ben Roberts of Next Cats.

Taylor doesn’t see Ulis’ size as a disadvantage at the next level.

“Whether it is AAU or high school basketball, I’ve yet to find anyone that can guard him,” Taylor said.

“I really don’t see it as an issue. He’s dealt with it his whole life and no one has been able to take advantage of it.”

Taylor was adamant in his beliefs that Ulis will be a perfect fit in Lexington.

“Whatever group that Tyler’s with, in a competitive situation, they win,” Taylor said.

“That’s what he does on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter who you pair him up with, he’ll find a way. He is just that competitive.”

With players declaring for the draft or choosing to come back for another season months into the future, Ulis’ status on

UK’s depth chart in 2014 is not clear.

No matter the situation for Ulis at UK next fall, Taylor said his confidence in Ulis cannot get any higher.

“I think (Calipari) will see it in him,” Taylor said. “I know he’ll see it in him.”