NBA Draft: SEC Underdogs Ready to Address Critics

4 of 4

Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) shoots the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) and forward Troy Williams (5) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Ulis- Drafted Number 34 by the Phoenix Suns

When will everyone learn to not count the little guy out? How many players in how many drafts in how many major sports have been overlooked because they were too small? In a league in which the back to back MVP Steph Curry is listed at 6’3″, you wouldn’t think size is as big a deal in the NBA as it used to be in years past. I mean, Draymond Green is listed at 6’7″and plays center for Golden State’s “line up of death”.

Yeah Ben, but those are exceptions because of the unique chemistry at Golden State.

Ok then, how about a couple of year’s ago? In a trade that saw Brandon Knight, Goran Dragic, and Isaiah Thomas all shuffled around, Isaiah Thomas seemed like an afterthought.

Can anyone tell me which of those 3 guards made the 2016 All Star Game?

Can anyone tell me which one of those 3 guards is listed at 5’9″?

Isaiah Thomas is the correct answer to both of those questions.

I’m not saying Tyler Ulis is the next Isaiah Thomas, the next Mugsy Bogues, the next Spud Webb, or even the next Nate Robinson. I’m just saying he shouldn’t be doubted because of his size, because up until this point he has been doubted on every level, and every time Ulis bounces back to prove the haters wrong.

More from Southbound and Down

Once seen as merely the back up plan to Kentucky failing to land Emmanuel Mudiay, Tyler Ulis came in to this year as a question mark, and ended the year as an exclamation point.

Ulis was a consensus first-team All-American, set the UK record for most assists in a season (previously held by John Wall), and won the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. Please let us not forget that Ulis was also named SEC Player of the Year over the number 1 pick Ben Simmons. Last but certainly not least, he also won SEC Defensive Player of the Year, which may be the most impressive award he won considering his small stature.

Now, other than his size, there is a legitimate concern with a reported hip injury with Tyler Ulis, and the word “significant” that often accompanies the mentioning of this hip injury is never a good thing. That isn’t as public knowledge as we would all like it to be, but we know he is dealing with something that “may require surgery down the line” according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.

Next: Joshua Dobbs is the Face of Tennessee's Resurgence

Injuries are a big deal, but with today’s science, I still believe that if he was taller than 5’9″, he would’ve been drafted higher instead of at pick 34, which was between Cheick Diallo and Rade Zagorac.

Who? Exactly.

Ulis has been doubted his whole life, and everyone around the NBA doubts him too. Tyler Ulis has taught me to never doubt him, and as long as this hip injury doesn’t derail his career, I firmly believe he will be an All-Star Game participant, multiple times.

Just get the kid out of the dumpster fire that is the Phoenix Suns.

Home/SEC Basketball