To the surprise of no one today at a press conference, Jared Sullinger decided to forego any remaining eligibility and enter the NBA draft. The press conference also featured his current head coach, Thad Matta, who was very proud of Sully and supportive. There is no doubt this decision was made a long time ago and that he has full support of Team Sully, i.e. his family. Sullinger had two great years at Ohio State and helped lead the team to two B1G titles and one Final Four appearance. He is a two-time All American and All-B1G member.
While we here at MOTSAG wish him nothing but the greatest career in the NBA and hope all his dreams come true, I for one am worried that his game will struggle at the next level. He needs to toughen up mentally and mature in his game. He will be a great second option but I can’t see him being the team’s best player and go to guy in order for his team to succeed. I hope he continues to develop his game and it works out for him but he won’t succeed as a jump shooter in the NBA. I have said all year losing the weight hurt his game and I stand by that claim. I just think he lost a lot of toughness with the weight. He needs to add muscle to replace the weight. He will no doubt find that the NBA is much less aggressive then the B1G and will find going in the post a lot easier and much less painful. If he can get healthy and gain some inches in his vertical jumping ability that will help with the blocking of his shots. I just hope he lands on a team that will help him become the PRO he has always wanted to be. I hope Sully becomes everything Greg Oden couldn’t because of his injuries. He is a class act and a really great guy and I am proud to say he is a huge part of Buckeye Nation.
Well said, SYR. I think there’s room for him to grow into a role and find his niche, a big man with a soft touch and great hands.
Matta referred to David West more than once during the press conference. West has a meanness that I don’t think Sullinger has in his game, but I do think he can become an integral part of a decent team.