Ohio State's Jared Sullinger has been medically red flagged by NBA doctors, according to a report filed by ESPN.com on Monday night. Sullinger was projected to be a lottery pick in the 2012 NBA Draft on June 28, but now possible concerns with his back may be the impetus in a free-fall for the big man.
Sullinger's agent, David Falk, stated that he wasn't in a position to give comment on the situation at this time, while Sullinger's father, Satch, believed that the injury would not be a problem.
Via ESPN.com:
"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."
The NBA's doctors do not agree with this evaluation. According to the report, a number of league doctors have reviewed the report and have advised their respective front offices that Sullinger's back injury could shorten his career. Some have even gone as far to advise their teams not to select Sullinger in the first round.
Sullinger is scheduled to work out for the Pistons next week.
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