CHICAGO _ Tyler Ulis has experienced both ends of the NBA spectrum.
The Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.) graduate, signed to a two-way contract by his hometown Bulls on Monday, averaged 7.6 points over two seasons with the Suns, who averaged 22.5 victories. And then he went through all of Warriors training camp before the two-time defending NBA champions waived him.
"They value good basketball," Ulis said of the Warriors. "You see how they approach the game, how they approach going into film and how they are on the court. You see the differences between a veteran team and a young team."
Ulis, 22, now is back with the latter. Not that he's complaining. Even though he'll shuttle between the Windy City Bulls of the G League and potential time with the NBA Bulls, he's excited for the opportunity.
"It's amazing being home," he said. "This is a team that I always looked at and was intrigued by, being a young squad. I feel like there's a lot of opportunity here."
Ulis admitted to some mild surprise the Suns gave up on him after using the 34th pick in the 2016 draft to draft him. Asked to summarize his game, Ulis didn't hesitate.
"Defensively, I try to pick the ball up full court, be disruptive," he said. "Offensively, I'm a pass-first guy who can bring instant offense off the bench or starting, whether it's passing, facilitating or creating my own shot."
Coach Fred Hoiberg liked what he saw from Ulis in Tuesday's practice. Though for now, the 5-foot-10 guard falls behind Kris Dunn, Cameron Payne and Ryan Arcidiacono on the depth chart.
"I think he changes the pace when he's out there," Hoiberg said. "He picks up full court. He gets up underneath you. He can make a shot. He's got good vision and can make a play with the ball."
