Sources: Jared Sullinger red flagged

[fadedmario]

By Chad Ford | ESPN.com

Ohio State Buckeyes big man Jared Sullinger has been medically red flagged by NBA doctors, multiple league sources told ESPN.com on Monday.


Sullinger, who is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2012 NBA draft, underwent a series of medical tests at the NBA draft combine a week ago. According to sources, the doctors who looked at Sullinger were concerned with Sullinger's back.

Sullinger's agent, David Falk, when reached via phone by ESPN.com said that he was not in a position to comment on the story.


Sullinger's father, Satch Sullinger, said he believes the issue isn't that serious.


"He had a bulging area that was due to his hamstring and quads being so tight," Satch Sullinger told ESPN.com senior college basketball writer 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.


"We've got nothing to hide. At this stage it's all about what they can't do. Jared is a skilled player. A two-time All-American. He can play."


A number of NBA team doctors have reviewed the information from the NBA and have told their front office staff that Sullinger's back issues could shorten his NBA career and some have advised their teams not to draft him in the first round.



ESPN.com currently has Sullinger, who who missed two games for Ohio State in early December with back spasms, slated to go No. 10 in Mock Draft 7.0.


In 2009, Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair was also red flagged by the NBA when medical tests at the NBA combine revealed he didn't have ACL's in either knee. At the time Blair was projected as a late lottery pick. He slid all the way out of the first round.


Sullinger worked out in New Orleans on Monday. He also previously worked out for Golden State and Portland. He's scheduled to meet with Toronto (Thursday), Cleveland (Friday) and Detroit (June 26).


Sullinger has received lukewarm reviews of his predraft agility tests.


"I'm not a testing type of guy. I'm a basketball player," Sullinger said Monday in New Orleans. "If I'm so robotic in testing or I couldn't do the testing because I wasn't robotic enough, I apologize to everybody that thinks I didn't do well. That's just me. I'm a basketball player. I know how to play with a basketball."

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/sto...er-sources-say

[fadedmario]

Sullinger can play. Red flag or not, if I'm picking in the 20-30 range - I take him regardless.

Either way, this "red flag" could be a way where one of the playoff teams end up with a Lottery type talent.

[HouRealCoach]

Jared Sullinger is going to fall in the draft & alot of teams will regret it

[ramz.n]

hes a good player..but with this concern he could fall out of the lottery..if he does, I would like my raptors team to try and get another pick and draft this guy.

[JWO35]

Didn't Sullinger break his back Freshmen yr? Or was that Evan Turner...

[xxplayerxx23]

Didn't Sullinger break his back Freshmen yr? Or was that Evan Turner...

Not sure but that would def be a huge concern lol

[Giants #1 Fan]

He will be average at best BOOK IT!

[spreadeagle]

its his damn short leg! lol

[phlp_bj]

i see a dejuan blair scenario happening again

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

If he's there at 21-22, I hope DA takes him.

Didn't Sullinger break his back Freshmen yr? Or was that Evan Turner...

That was Turner in his junior year a few years ago when he went up for a dunk and landed on his back.

[Laces-Out]

someone should have went a year earlier

[fadedmario]

If he's there at 21-22, I hope DA takes him.



That was Turner in his junior year a few years ago when he went up for a dunk and landed on his back.

Perfect fit.

[Ill21]

If he falls to the 20-30's, whatever team gets him is a steal.

[fadedmario]

Imagine if the Lakers get him? Would be a nice piece at PF for them.

[Angry Norwegian]

He's been doing yoga and deep tissue massage. Nothing to see here.