Tyler Ulis is taking classes at UK, helping the Wildcats in practice

Tyler Ulis was one of several former Kentucky standouts back in town for Big Blue Madness, joining the likes of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Knight, Nick Richards, Kevin Knox and Hamidou Diallo on stage with the current Wildcats during player introductions.

It wasn’t just a weekend stay, though, for Ulis. In fact, the former consensus First-Team All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner is in Lexington for the foreseeable future, taking classes at UK and helping out the team in practice.

“The other thing is we got Tyler Ulis, who is rehabbing and taking some courses in the gym with us watching and helping there too,” John Calipari said at Kentucky’s Media Day on Tuesday.

It’s not the first time Ulis has returned to UK to work with the team. In fact, the former point guard standout was back in town rehabbing a basketball injury for two months last summer while attempting a comeback in the NBA. He was there for Kentucky’s first practice of the summer and hung around the facilities throughout the preseason, doing his best to help the likes of Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington.

“Just got off the floor from our first on-court work of the season and the first person I see is Tyler Ulis,” Calipari said at the time. “Tyler is back in town and rehabbing. I can’t wait to see him back out there doing what he loves. I promised him I would be front row, feet on the wood when he starts playing again. It won’t be long!”

Just got off the floor from our first on-court work of the season and the first person I see is @tulis3! Tyler is back in town and rehabbing. I can’t wait to see him back out there doing what he loves. pic.twitter.com/Gd8b0AXtxL

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 14, 2021

Unfortunately for Ulis, his basketball future was put in question this past February when he was hospitalized after his car was struck head-on by a car going in the wrong direction on an interstate in Michigan. 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 in his return to Rupp Arena for Big Blue Madness, he was introduced on crutches.

Ulis hosted a youth basketball camp in Lexington this summer, where he acknowledged the major career setback that came with the crash and injuries that came with it.

“I understand I’m going to be out a year,” he said in July, via Lee K. Howard of WKYT. “I just want to come back here and give back as much as possible. … I haven’t walked in five months. Hopefully here in the next month or so I’ll start walking. I won’t start running for another four months, maybe. Then from there, it’s about building your body back up, getting stamina. When you play at the highest level, you’ve got to be prepared in all aspects.”

He last played competitive basketball in 2020, suiting up for the Sacramento Kings G-League affiliate. Now, his focus is on getting back on his feet so he can return to the floor.

“God gave me a gift, I know,” said Ulis. “Circumstances have changed a lot of things being hurt, but you’ve just got to work and take it day by day, building your body back up and keep pushing.”

Ulis told Jerry Tipton that a return to the NBA is still his top priority once he gets back on his feet and is able to play basketball again. He won’t be giving up on his professional dreams, no matter the hurdles that have come his way.

“My end goal is always the NBA,” Ulis told Tipton. “But at this point, I’m focusing on things off the court and taking it day by day. I don’t have a timetable. But I won’t play this season! So, whenever I’m healthy, whenever I can get reps and test my health, I will play!”

Until then, he’s doing his best to help his former team while also working toward a degree.