Arkansas basketball is making waves once again, this time with the addition of a former SEC Player of the Year to its coaching staff. Tyler Ulis, a decorated former Kentucky Wildcat and consensus first-team All-American, has joined the Razorback men’s basketball program as an assistant coach. The official announcement came from Razorback Athletics on Friday, signaling a significant addition to head coach John Calipari’s staff.
Ulis, who shone as one of the top players in college basketball during his time at Kentucky, had his professional career derailed by injuries following a car accident. However, his coaching career has taken off in recent years. For the past two seasons, he served as a student assistant coach at Kentucky, where he contributed to all aspects of on-court activities, including practices, individual workouts, and film analysis. He also played a key role in game-planning alongside the Wildcats’ coaching staff.
Ulis’ coaching credentials were further solidified this past summer when he led “La Familia,” a Kentucky-based team, to the semifinals of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), showcasing his potential as a future coaching star.
As a player, Ulis’ résumé speaks for itself. During the 2015-16 season, his second with the Wildcats, he earned multiple honors, including SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the second player in history to win both awards in the same season. Ulis was also the recipient of the prestigious Bob Cousy Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top point guard.
His impact on the court extended to national recognition, as he was a finalist for both the Naismith Trophy and the Wooden Award. Ulis led the SEC in assists, setting a UK record of 7.03 assists per game and totaling 246 assists in a single season. In addition, he was among the top scorers in the SEC, averaging 17.3 points per game.
After two standout seasons at Kentucky, Ulis declared for the NBA Draft and was selected 34th overall by the Phoenix Suns. He quickly made his presence felt in the league, earning second-team All-NBA Summer League honors and finishing 14th in voting for the NBA All-Rookie team during his first season. Ulis spent two seasons with the Suns before stints with the Chicago Bulls and the Stockton Kings.
Now bringing his experience and basketball acumen to Arkansas, Ulis looks to help elevate the Razorbacks to new heights. With a championship pedigree and the backing of John Calipari, his presence is sure to make an immediate impact on the program. As Ulis completes his degree from Kentucky this December, Arkansas fans can look forward to seeing this rising star make his mark from the sidelines.
