Kyle Tucker

@KyleTucker_CJ

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kentucky fans who love point guard Tyler Ulis better enjoy the sophomore star for these final few games of the season.

If there was any doubt about Ulis’ upcoming NBA draft decision, coach John Calipari all but erased it Thursday, on the eve of the Wildcats’ first game in the SEC tournament.

“I’m happy for him,” Calipari said of the 5-foot-9 Ulis, who has earned first-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and USA TODAY while also winning SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. “When he came here, you had everybody tell me, ‘You’ve got a four-year point guard. Now this is how you should do it.’ And, ‘He doesn’t need to have all pros.’ Welp, you were wrong again. I mean, here’s this kid that’s going to be a pro. He’ll be drafted this year, after two years.”

Calipari to coach son differently

So that settles that. Ulis is rated the 39th-best prospect in the next draft by ESPN.com and is projected to go 47th overall by DraftExpress.com.

“Every game we’ve played, he’s gotten steadier and more into how he has to play and how our team has to play,” Calipari said. “He’s led better. He’s made better basketball decisions. He’s got his teammates involved. He deserves everything that’s happening, and he’s made everybody’s job, including mine, easier.”

Ulis averaged 16.6 points and 7.4 assists during the regular season and is on pace to shatter John Wall’s single-season school record for assists.

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Email him atktucker@courier-journal.com.