Tyler Ulis recognized as top captain of the past decade

Andy Katz of NCAA March Madness recently released his All-Decade list for Team Captains. On the list, of course, included several of college basketball’s best veteran players dating back to 2010.

Coming in at No. 8 on the list was former Kentucky Wildcats star and SEC Player of the Year Tyler Ulis.

Joining him on the list, from 1-10, were Kemba Walker, Cassius Winston, Ryan Arcidiacono, Nolan Smith, Greivis Vasquez, Frank Mason, Fred VanVleet, Kendall Marshall and Jacob Pullen.

After coming in and playing as a freshman on Kentucky’s 38-0 “platoon” team, Ulis decided to return for a second year and solidify himself as the starting point guard for the Wildcats. For his sophomore year, Ulis averaged 17.3 points and 7.0 assists per game to be voted SEC Player of the Year by SEC head coaches, as well as the Associated Press.

Though Kentucky bowed out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament that season, Ulis did lead his young, inexperienced team to win the SEC Championship and 27-9 record. He was never the fastest, quickest, strongest or tallest player on the court. But Ulis was an absolute gamer and one heck of a leader.

Since then, Kentucky hasn’t had a point guard quite like Ulis. De’Aaron Fox shined during his lone year at Kentucky, but one would have to admit we were quite spoiled by the jump Ulis made in Year 2. Kudos to Ulis for being recognized as one of the decade’s top captains, as he deserves.