Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is the first major NBA Draft prospect to say he'll stay in school instead of declaring himself eligible for the June pro pool. Sullinger's Buckeyes fell to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 on Friday night; the burly forward was fantastic in defeat, having the sort of game we've been accustomed to seeing. Sullinger scored 21 points and had 16 rebounds (eight offensive).
Jared Sullinger Says He’ll Stay At Ohio State, Eschew 2011 NBA Draft
But after the game, Sullinger said he’s coming back for another run at OSU. From SB Nation’s Along The Olentangy:
In a small but extremely notable consolation prize, Sullinger and [junior guard William] Buford said they would return next season to the Buckeyes, which could find themselves in the preseason top-5 if that scenario holds true. When pressed on whether he was making the commitment out of emotion or frustration, Sullinger told the media, “I made this decision today, and I’m a man of my word. I don’t go against my word. If I tell somebody I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it.”
Many players have claimed they’ll come back in the immediate aftermath to a crushing loss, only to later change course. Sullinger will have plenty of temptation to enter the 2011 NBA Draft, as DraftExpress currently lists him at No. 4 on its Top 100 Prospects list; ESPN’s Chad Ford has Sullinger in the same spot.
Sullinger and Arizona's Derrick Williams are the top domestic power forwards potentially in the draft pool; Perry Jones, Enes Kanter and Donatas Motiejunas will also be in the lottery mix at that position.
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