Likeliest point guard prospects to end up on Detroit Pistons
By David Topham
Tyler Ulis | PG | 5’10” | 149 lbs | Kentucky
Last season: 17.3 ppg, 7.0 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 spg, 2.0 turnovers, .434 fg%, .344 3pfg%
Draft range: 17-30, should be available
Why he fits in Detroit: Ulis can bring his poise, creativity and leadership skills to Detroit’s bench unit.
You cannot teach Tyler Ulis’ feel for the game. He is a floor general through and through, with a high basketball I.Q. and natural leadership skills. He operates the pick and roll as good (or better) than anybody in this draft class – he’s got great floor vision, throws a pinpoint lob, is smart with the ball (as evidenced by a 3.57 assist-to-turnover ratio), and can get his own shot.
Yet teams will shy away from Ulis because he is not three inches taller. His small stature is certainly scary, but we are still talking about a consensus first team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite his size limitations, I believe Ulis has a real chance to succeed in this league, even if that is only as a backup point guard. But if the Pistons have a choice between him and some of the other first-round point guard prospects, I can understand if they gravitate elsewhere.