Tyler Ulis joins John Calipari’s staff at Arkansas.
Former Kentucky star point guard and student assistant coach Tyler Ulis will join John Calipari in Fayetteville.
Calipari disclosed the news on the most recent episode of his ‘Ways to Win’ podcast, adding, “He has a hip problem and will undergo surgery. Then it develops into muscles in his abdomen, which affects him. Then he returns home and tries to get back when he is involved in an automobile accident that nearly tears his leg off. I said, ‘Get down here and finish your degree. You’re going to be on my crew. “And he’ll accompany me to Arkansas.”
Ulis signed with Kentucky as a five-star point guard from Chicago as part of the 2015 recruiting class. He contributed to UK’s 38-1 2014-15 season, which culminated with a Final Four loss to Wisconsin, by averaging 5.6 points, 3.6 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.
Ulis was superb as a sophomore, averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while leading Kentucky to the SEC Tournament championship. He was selected SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, received the Bob Cousy Award, and was a consensus first-team All-American.
Ulis was selected in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns and went on to play four seasons in the NBA.
He was injured in a head-on collision in 2022 and decided to return to Kentucky to complete his degree and work as a student assistant coach during the 2022-23 season.
Ulis ended up in a student assistant role for two seasons, as he was able to sit on Calipari’s bench, assist in on-court activities, individual workouts, and film sessions.
He will now travel to Arkansas for an undisclosed role.
Ulis is the third member of UK’s 2023-24 staff to join Calipari in Fayetteville, after Chin Coleman and Chuck Martin were rehired by the coach.
Kenny Payne, Calipari’s top assistant in Lexington from 2010 to 2020, will also join Calipari’s first Razorback staff.
