Tyler Ulis "extremely excited" to share expertise, learn as coach at Kentucky

One of the best point guards in Kentucky basketball history has returned to the bench as a coach, with Tyler Ulis joining John Calipari‘s staff as a student assistant.

The former consensus First-Team All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner sat on the bench for Kentucky’s win over Louisville on Saturday, his first official appearance in his new role. It’s one that came as a result of his playing career coming to a brief pause due to injury, suffering a hip injury that took him off the hardwood initially before a serious car accident set him back even further.

After undergoing hip surgery, Ulis’ car was struck head-on by a car going in the wrong direction on an interstate in Michigan last February. It was an accident that resulted in a broken ankle and broken bones in his foot and wrists. He wasn’t able to walk on his own for five months, and even still, he remains on crutches.

Calipari’s idea for his former star point guard? Come back to Lexington, take classes and teach the next generation of basketball talent as a coach — at least until he gets back on the floor.

“I’m telling you, he was an NBA player. Wasn’t afraid. He played, he competed, he battled, he fought,” Calipari said during his call-in radio show Monday night. “He had a hip injury, and it was a major surgery. He had it here, but he played through it. They had to do major surgery. As he was recovering, he ends up in a car accident that was really serious. Now, he still wants to play, but he came back to go to school and I said, ‘Why don’t you come back? You can be here, do some academic stuff and be a student assistant here.'”

Challenge accepted. Ulis returned to school as a full-time student, paving way for his status as a student assistant. He’s now back in the Kentucky basketball facilities helping the current Wildcats in practice however he can.

“I’m extremely excited to get around the kids and give them some of my expertise, and then at the same time, learn from Coach [Cal],” Ulis said Monday.

It’s not just for show, either. Calipari is leaning on Ulis to provide feedback on the team after practices and break down film. Expectations are high to begin the standout point guard’s coaching career.

“You know what? He’s gonna be great,” Calipari said. “He’s in our practices, he’ll talk to me after. I want him to watch tape and give me ideas. I told him, ‘You doing this is giving back to the school. You doing this, all that you’ve been able to benefit by, now you’re coming back and giving back to all these kids and this program, and I appreciate it.'”

“With what happened [my accident], I can’t play right now, but I just want to stay around the game. Coach is giving me that opportunity, and I feel like that’s the best way to learn just in case I want to do this in the future,” Ulis added. “… I’m a lot better, hopefully I can get off these crutches soon. I haven’t walked since February. I’m just trying to take things day by day, finish up school, learn some things from Coach and just help out as much as I can.”

How does he feel he can help the program? Well, just look at his resume. Playing at Kentucky from 2014-16, Ulis became the 21st Wildcat in school history to earn first-team All-America honors and was the first Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year winner in school history. He was also named SEC Player of the Year by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press, tabbed SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches in addition to All-SEC First Team honors and SEC All-Defensive Team honors.

That experience is invaluable for any college basketball locker room.

“I’ve been through a lot,” Ulis said. “I played for Coach (Cal) and I’ve made it to the next level, so I feel like I can talk to them from a player perspective and just come at them a little different than Coach might.”

Take current point guard Sahvir Wheeler for example. Ulis knows what it’s like to be a 5-foot-9 point guard in the SEC and find success. He broke through as a star and made it to the next level. It’s hard to imagine finding someone better to learn from.

“We’re both smaller guys, and the NBA doesn’t like us too well,” Ulis said of Wheeler. “But we’re guys who fight hard and play with toughness. He leads the team very well. There are a few things I feel like I can help him out with and we’re gonna get it done.”

“His knowledge, his experience. Not only here has he played at a high level, but also in the NBA,” Wheeler added of Ulis’ presence around the program. “Bringing his knowledge and experience, especially those little details at the point guard position, that’s big time. Looking forward to having him come with us on the road and continue to have him on the bench at home games.

“He’s just super cool, not just his mind of basketball, but outside of basketball. We just chop it up, share life experiences. Overall, he’s just super cool to be around.”

Ulis wants to teach Wheeler, along with the team’s other guards, to be a leader on the floor. The former Wildcat was seen as a coach on the floor, and now, he wants to help others earn that same reputation.

“You know you have to be an extension of your coach on the court,” Ulis said. “That’s something I’ve tried to do to make (Calipari’s) job easier, getting on guys instead of him having to do it.”