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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) handles the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) handles the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

27. Tyler Ulis, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard

Age: 20 (1/5/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 5’9″,

Slash Line: .434/.344/.856

Season Averages: 36.8 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 7.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.6 3PM

Key Strengths

  • Court vision. Sees the play develop and knows how to get the ball to the right spot.
  • Shooting range. Can pull up from anywhere on the court.
  • Dribble penetration. Creative ball-handler with the body control to draw fouls.
  • Basketball IQ. Understands the game better than most at age 20.
  • Fearlessness. Not a tentative player. Willing to make the big play.

Key Weaknesses

  • Size. A 5’9″ point guard is still a 5’9″ point guard entering the land of the giants.
  • Defensive limitations. Plays the passing lanes, but will have a hard time locking opponents down.
  • Needs to pick his spots as a shooter. Can make anything, but shouldn’t take everything.

Analysis

Kentucky Wildcats point guard Tyler Ulis is benefiting greatly from the success experienced by Boston Celtics floor general Isaiah Thomas. During the same calendar year that Thomas, a 5’9″ point guard, made an All-Star Game appearance, Ulis, a 5’9″ point guard, won SEC Player of the Year.

Size and limitations acknowledged, Ulis, the heart and soul of Kentucky Wildcats basketball, is easily one of the Top 30 prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft.

That’s surprising, but this is a point guard hungry league.

Ulis is a fearless playmaker who can shoot from anywhere on the floor and create penetration against defenders who attempt to smother him. He’s also an outstanding facilitator who, at the sophomore stage of their respective development, has more advanced court vision than fellow 5’9″ point guards Isaiah Thomas and Nate Robinson.

Ulis’ size presents obvious limitations, but with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.5, he’s the real deal as an NBA Draft prospect.

Next: Physically Overwhelming

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