Ulis, a Chicago product, returns to face UCLA
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tyler Ulis represents the challenge facing UCLA today against the top-ranked University of Kentucky basketball team in the CBS Sports Classic at Chicago's United Center.
The Bruins (8-3) barely have a bench, while the Wildcats (11-0) have multiple McDonald's All-American subs, including the 5-foot-9 Ulis, a second-stringer who slings perfect passes, harasses ball-handlers and buzzes around like a bumblebee in basketball shoes.
He's a handful, and UCLA can thank the city this game is being played in for that.
"I would not be here if I didn't move to Chicago," said Ulis, who was born in Detroit but grew up in Lima, Ohio. "The basketball is just not at the level Chicago is."
His parents divorced when he was young — both remarried but remain friends — and he stayed with his mother in Ohio through middle school. That changed when it was time for high school, Ulis and his father recognizing that he needed the stiffer competition of the talent-rich Chicago basketball scene to take his game to another level.
He wasn't getting any taller, so he'd need to prove he could hang with the best and biggest. And did he ever. Ulis set school records at Marian Catholic, located in suburban Chicago Heights, for points, assists and steals. He earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American game, which is played in the United Center.
Most importantly, Ulis caught the eye of Kentucky coach John Calipari, the point guard whisperer, by shining in the same city that produced his two brightest former starters: Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis.
"When I finally moved to Chicago, it was tough leaving my mom, but it gave me a great opportunity because the market there is so big," Ulis said. "Just the players there, they helped me get better and it just put me in front of the right people. Playing against that type of competition got me ready."
It helped make him tough enough to thrive in a game full of much bigger players. He famously picked a fight with former UK star DeMarcus Cousins (who is 6-11, 270 pounds) over a foul call in a pick-up game during his recruiting visit to Lexington.
"He's a pit bull," fellow freshman guard Devin Booker said. "He's a warrior out there."
His stats so far this season won't wow anyone — 4.8 points, three assists per game — but Ulis has quickly become a fan favorite because of the way he plays: hard and fast. And smooth. The Cats' offense operates efficiently with him on the floor. In fact, an ESPN statistical analysis showed that Kentucky averages 10 more points per 100 possessions and shoots 19 percent better from 3-point range with him on the court.
He's 9 of 18 from deep and has one more steal than turnovers this season. While he plays only about half of every game running the second platoon, Ulis' per-34-minute averages are more impressive: 8.3 points, 6.4 assists. 2.5 steals and 2.1 turnovers. He likes the regular substitutions, though, "because we're bringing in fresh bodies every time and everyone's playing as hard as they can."
There's the trouble for UCLA on Saturday.
"When guys get tired," Ulis said, "that gives me my opportunity to create steals."
He'd take it very much as a compliment if you told him that relentless approach makes him a bona fide Chicago baller. Those guys have characteristics in common.
"Tough, will do anything to get the job done, just wants to win," he said. "I consider myself a Chicago player, an Ohio player. I'm from both … and it just made me who I am today. It was just growing up on the playgrounds, playing against older guys, having to be tough."
Tough is trying to get enough tickets to accommodate all the friends and family who want to come to this homecoming game. Ulis had six as of Thursday before practice and he was rounding up a few more from teammates' allotment.
"I can't wait to get back home, play in front of the home crowd. It's going to be exciting," said Ulis, who vows not to try too hard to impress. He averages fewer than four field-goal attempts per game, so "that definitely helps, because I'm not looked at as a scorer. It's not like I'm gonna come out and jack 20 shots up and miss 15."
He plans to dish and defend, just like any other game.
Calipari knows better. He likes to say he's never had a player do well in a homecoming game — which is almost true. He thinks it'll be a "hard deal" for Ulis, too. But the little guy might be different.
"The one thing I thing I think we can expect him to do is play hard and compete and battle," Calipari said, "because that's who he is."
It's also where he's from.
Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.
TODAY'S GAME
UCLA VS. NO. 1 KENTUCKY
3:30 p.m., Chicago
TV: CBS Radio: WHAS-840 and WAKY-103.5