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NBA Draft Combine Doesn’t Matter To These Players

By Ryan Blackburn

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second 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) drives to the basket against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Ulis – Height And Weight

Tyler Ulis has always shouldered big expectations, and for such a small guy, he does it perfectly.

Leading the Kentucky Wildcats is no easy task, but Ulis was the vocal, emotional, and court leader for the team this year. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.0 assists per contest, and formed one half of  one of college basketball’s incredible duos with Jamal Murray, a potential top five selection.

After his measurements came in at 5-foot-8.75 without shoes and 149.2 pounds, many scouts and GMs have to be concerned with the slight nature of the point guard. He may have gotten away with being so small at the college level, but he may never be a starting caliber player at he professional level.

That’s okay though. Ulis is a very intelligent player, and he knows how to guard guys that are bigger than him. He did it throughout his two years at Kentucky, and his numbers against high quality competition would make him a top 10 pick if he was simply two inches taller.

The comparisons to Isaiah Thomas will be endless, and for good reason. Thomas was a point guard measured at 5-foot-8.75 without shoes as well, and he ran the Washington Huskies offense incredibly well.

He was drafted 60th overall in the 2011 NBA draft, and 29 teams are kicking themselves now that he’s developed into an All-Star in Boston.

Ulis has the same mental make up and it would be no surprise to see the Kentucky product have similar success given his leadership abilities and capabilities with the basketball in his hands.

Next: Small Stature: Part II