NBA Draft Insider

College: Ohio State

Birthday: 03/24/1992

NBA Position: PF

Class: Sophomore

Ht: 6-9

Wt: 250

Hometown: Columbus, OH

High School: Northland High School

Ceiling: Carlos Boozer

Basement: Sean May

NBA Comparison: Glen Davis

Strengths:

• Strong
• Basketball IQ
• Great Hands
• Elite Rebounder
• Classic Post Player
• Excellent Touch
• 12-18 foot range

Weaknesses:

• Size
• Athleticism
• Lateral Quickness on Defense
• Conditioning
• Finishing
• Nagging Back Injuries

Analysis: View Jared Sullinger Full Report

05/08/2012

Jared Sullinger has declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year signing with agent David Falk for representation.

As a sophomore Sullinger took a slight decline just like most of his peers that decided to return to school verse chase the NBA dream. He lost a few games due to injury and saw a hit in his overall numbers. As a freshman Sullinger was dominant in the paint scoring consistently with his back to the basket.

On the glass where Sullinger is generally the most solid he saw a decline as well. He averaged a full rebound less per game as a sophomore while playing in the same amount of games. The back injury surely had a lot to do with that.

Defensively Sullinger sees most of of his short comings. He is not an athletic player in general and it shows with his lateral quickness or lack thereof. His strength is adequate to contain and seal offensive players, but he lacks the length, explosiveness, and quickness to make an impact on that end of the floor. He has good strong hands that allow him to make deflections and make plays on the ball.

Then on the offensive side of the ball Sullinger flashed some improvement. He was already elite for his age at sealing the post and gaining position early in the shot-clock. That and his soft touch around the basket were the selling point for Sullinger being a potential Top 5 pick in 2011. Where he has improved is out 12-15 feet from the basket. This season he showed the ability more and more to step out and make the 12-15 foot jump shot. That rounded out his offensive game. Now defenders have to guard his brut strength in the paint and worry about Sullinger sticking long two’s as well. Add an improved handle and Sullinger has the offensive tools to be a force at the NBA level.

The biggest drawback to his offensive game is his lack of a vertical leap. With as good as Sullinger is on the offensive glass he is equally as inefficient at scoring the ball after he corrals the rebound. That is a drawback he will have to work on as he prepares for the 2012 NBA Draft to make it back into the Top 5… Or even the Top 10.

As of today Sullinger is the No. 6 power forward, No. 12 prospect on the Big Board, and going No. 15 Overall in the Mock Draft.

02/12/2012

Sullinger is a very good rebounder and, despite the numbers, should be considered one of the best in the country. Last year he averaged 10.1 RPG good for 19^th in the country, this year he is down to 9.3 RPG and 40^th in the country. He has great hands and a strong lower body that allows him to get great position on the boards. He uses those same skills to get baskets on the low block. Sullinger is a unique prospect that is skilled verses athletic.

In a lot of ways Sullinger is the same player he was last year. This year he has less talent around him and he has had a few injuries, but the only statistical drop-off is that he averages a full rebound less per game. Last year Sullinger was a consensus Top 10 pick and should be right about the same this year, no real progression or regression in his game.

Getting into better shape has helped Sullinger this year. His injuries are the only thing that has held him back this year. The same issues still exist in his game. He is not an elite leaper so finishing at the rim is a challenge against elite, athletic defenders. Sullinger seems to love college and could very well return for another season.

5/13/2011

The few things that Sullinger needs to improve on in his sophomore year are athleticism and height. Both of those aspects cannot be fixed with another year of experience, his DNA is not going to change over night. Sullinger has the power and strength to play in the NBA today; he is a man amongst boys in the college game. His return shocked most because of exactly what I just stated, he cannot fix his flaws in college or anywhere, but his skills vastly outweigh those flaws.

Sullinger is the best combination of skill, hands and IQ as a big man in this years draft class. He can score from anywhere on the block verse any type of defender. He makes up for his height and weight by having a very impressive wingspan and unmatchable strength. Defensively he can be a liability, but has improved on that side of the ball.

The focus for Sullinger this year has to be finding better ways to finish around the rim and finding what his best playing weight is. In the NBA he will see little success scoring down low with his lack of vertical burst, which means he needs to outsmart the overly athletic opposition. His weight may have to do with his lack of vertical burst, but his weight is also what allows him to dominate in the paint. Once he finds the right combination he will be even more of a menace than he already is.

2010

Sullinger is a very polished post player with an old school game. He has a large frame for his height, but uses it as well as anyone. Sullinger uses his size to bang, create room and abuse defenders. He has great touch around the basket and out to about 18’ with consistency. Not an elite athlete, Sullinger struggles’ with his lateral quickness and conditioning which affects his defense. If Sullinger were two inches taller he would be considered for the No. 1 pick; his skill will keep him in the Top 10.