According to reports, Jared Sullinger has been medically red flagged, which could heavily diminish his NBA draft value. (AP)
Multiple league sources told ESPN.com on Monday that Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, who is expected to be a lottery pick in this month’s NBA draft, has been medically red flagged.
Sullinger underwent a series of tests at last week’s NBA draft combine and according to sources, doctors are concerned with his back. NBA team doctors around the league have also advised their respective front office staffs to not draft Sullinger due to the fact that his back could shorten his playing career.
Sullinger’s father, Satch Sullinger, wasn’t as convinced.
“He had a bulging area that was due to his hamstring and quads being so tight,” Satch Sullinger told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz in a phone call Monday afternoon. “It pulled on his hip flexor and he’s been taking care of it to loosen it. You can call it a red flag if you want. But it’s tight hamstring and tight quads. He’s been to doctors, he’s doing yoga and deep tissue massage. The flexibility is helping take the pressure off the area.”
Ohio State coach Thad Matta told Katz via text message Monday that “Jared is fine. He’s moving better than I’ve ever seen him move.”
Sullinger, who is leaving school after two years, was a two-time All-American at Ohio State. He averaged 17.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in 2011-12 as he led the Buckeyes to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
