Ben Simmons, LSU’s 6-foot-10 freshman, is widely expected to be the top pick in June’s NBA draft, but he’s currently second in the race for Southeastern Conference player of the year.
The leader in that category is Kentucky guard Tyler Ulis. The 5-foot-9 sophomore from Chicago guides the SEC’s only ranked team and enters tonight’s home game against Tennessee having demoralized South Carolina last Saturday with 27 points and 12 assists in an 89-62 road romp.
Gamecocks coach Frank Martin said this week that Ulis would have his vote, and he’s got plenty of company.
“Obviously there are still some games to play, but I would say he’s the leading candidate right now,” Georgia coach Mark Fox said. “He’s really playing exceptionally well, and he’s a guy that you can’t speed up or slow down. He controls the game and is really playing at an outstanding level.”
Ulis leads the SEC with 36.4 minutes and 6.7 assists per game. He is averaging 16.7 points and has collected 37 total steals, building off a first season with the Wildcats in which he made the league’s all-freshman team.