During the traveling team season this past spring and summer, there were many times when Tyler Ulis was taken for granted. Playing on a star-studded Mean Streets 15-Under squad which featured two other high major recruits from the 2014 class in 6’6 forward Tyler Wideman and 6’3 shooting guard Drake Harris, this is certainly understandable.
Now that the high school basketball season in Illinois has gotten underway Ulis, a 5’8 point guard from Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, IL has had a greater opportunity to come to the forefront. He did so in a big way this past week at the Chicago Heights Thanksgiving Classic.
Ulis was nothing short of spectacular when we watched him versus Homewood-Flossmoor, scoring 28 points and dishing out 8 assists in a 73-70 loss. Even though Marian Catholic lost the contest, Ulis controlled the game from start to finish and had a chance to send things into overtime until his 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
Based on what we have seen thus far, we are now on record as saying that we believe Ulis is as good as any point guard in Illinois from the 2014 class, including highly-touted 6’1 point Larry Austin from Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL. With that having been said, there is no question in our mind that he is a high major prospect and among the top ten prospects in Illinois from 2014.
Ulis is a dynamic ball handler with great vision, quickness and ability to drive and kick. He also has the ability to consistently shake and bake defenders and despite being undersized he is more than capable of being able to create his shot off the dribble and has 3-point range.
Right now the biggest question mark with respect to Ulis is probably centers around refining his jump shot, but when one considers how he makes plays and brings out the best in his teammates that may be nitpicking. We believe that Ulis is in many ways reminiscient of Tony Freeman–not the Tony Freeman who recently played college basketball at Iowa and Southern Illinois but rather his father, who starred at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, IL in the mid-80’s and played his college ball at Indiana.
Amazingly enough, at the present time Ulis sports no D1 offers and his recruitment is wide open. We have to believe that will change once more coaches get an opportunity to see him play, as he is one of the most exciting players that the state of Illinois has to offer this side of Jabari Parker.
We welcome comments regarding this story or any other entry published by Illinois Prep Bulls-eye. They can be made by e-mailing us at [email protected].
Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to high school basketball and recruiting in Illinois.
