Multiple sources have told the Plain Dealer and ESPN that sophomore Jared Sullinger will forego his final two years of college eligibility to enter the NBA draft.
Sullinger, who celebrated his 20th birthday last month, averaged a double-double in his final year as a Buckeye (17.2 ppg/10.2 rebs) and was named the NCAA Tournament East Region's Most Outstanding Player in Ohio State's road to the Final Four.
As a freshman, Sullinger made a strong argument for renaming the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week award after him, taking the honor a ridiculous 11 out of 15 weeks (losing out to DeShaun Thomas and Aaron Craft in two of those "off" weeks).
The first native Ohioan to be named PARADE Player of the Year since LeBron James leaves school following back-to-back seasons as a consensus first-team All American and the first player to do so as a freshman and sophomore since LSU's Chris Jackson 22 years ago.
Although he was projected to be a lottery pick in last year's NBA draft, he returned to school having slimmed down and determined to sharpen his skills for the next level. As we saw - and enjoyed - over the past two seasons, he's a nightmare for opposing teams in the mid and high-post and as good as any big man in college basketball with his back to the basket.
Best of luck to Sully in fulfilling his basketball dreams. Enjoy some highlights from his memorable two-year run at Ohio State.
Comments
Satch, his dad, told the local NBC he was going pro. FWIW.
Good luck Sully....it's been a HECK of a ride!
Was there ever any real question he was going to come back? If not for the looming lockout he would've been gone after last season.
Thanks for all the good memories, nothing but best of wishes for Sully, personally hope he ends up doing really well in the NBA.
Favorite Buckeye: Obviously BJ Mullens
The one thing I do not like about college ball - too many kids are one / two and done - makes it really hard to continue continuity and momentum.
Oh well, it has been fun watching you play over the last two years! Good luck Sully!!!
The best thing about Pastafarianism? It is not only acceptable, but advisable, to be heavily sauced
Cheers, thanks for the memories.
Thank you Sully for two great years! Go Bucks!!!
You're already one of my favorite Buckeyes of all-time (including football). Let's hope you can now be one of my favorite NBA players of all-time. Good luck Sully!
Please stay DT.
Adios Jared! Good luck in the NBA. Lets face facts here guys, we got a full year longer out of Jared than we should have. Thank the Lockout, or his love for OSU or whatever. This is the era of Bbal in which we live. We got an extra 365 out of Sully we probably didn't deserve.
Get that money young Buck (eye)
4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off
I've always been an education-first kind of guy, as naive as that is, but this is the right decision for Sully, without question in my mind.
yea seems almost foolish to stay when youve got that much money on the line. here's to hoping he has a killer career in the nba, and comes back afterwards to finish his degree
Thanks for the two years Sully! I hope you come back and get your degree. Make Columbus and Northland High School proud!
It's good to be home.
Tip of the hat to Sully, you were a great Buckeye and I wish you nothing but the best at the next level.
Jared,
Thanks for your amazing contributions to our school, the city of Columbus and the state of Ohio. You are a great kid, a great Buckeye and have a great family. We were lucky to have you the last two years. All the best to you and your family.
This.
Good Luck to you Sully. You brought great enjoyment and pride to your School and Program.
It always bums me out when kids leave early but then I think about Greg Oden's situation. Imagine if he would have stayed a second year and how much it would have cost him. Sully put his ass on the line for his school and teammates this year when he didn't have to (projected top5 pick). Pretty unique these days in the sports world. Glad he came through injury free.
I have been known on occasion to howl at the moon. - Crash Davis
Best of luck Sully, appreciate the memories.
Buckeye through and through, guys like the Sully brothers (dont forget about JJ) are why we are truly lucky to be fans of The Ohio State University.
****igan smells like old water that hot dogs were boiled in. FACT
Good luck, Sully!
Good Luck Sully! Thanks for EVERYTHING!
A true Buckeye.
Best of luck in the league.
BTW, Buckeyes were killin it last night in the NBA...
Evan Turner: 26 points, 8 rebounds
Michael Conley, Jr. 18 points, 5 rebounds
Byron Mullens: 20 points, 14 rebounds
Michael Redd: 16 points
Just saw on ESPN (whatever thats worth) that Sully is the 11 rated prospect for this draft if he goes that low somebody will be getting a steal.
It's good to be home.
That Party in the USA shit is hilarious. It also shows how close they are as a team do something like that together. Pretty cool shit. I REALLY hope Thomas is staying! Otherwise this team will probably be in a "rebuilding" year next season. Good Luck Sully and thanks for making a statement to young BBall players that coming back for another year after your freshman season isn't so bad after all. Hope it possibly changes the minds of others in the future to stay and prove you're as good as you say you are.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Good luck Sully. Bucks will always love ya
Good luck I know I'll remember you as one of the bucks greats!
" I went for two cause I couldn't go for three."
-woody Hayes
Heard on ESPN this evening that Craft is declaring for the draft.
Psych.
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
I will forever remember the last two years teams as the "party in the USA" crew. Absolutely fun-loving and heartwarming. What a bunch!