[McDunkin]

 Former Ohio State star and two-time all-American Jared Sullinger will watch the NBA draft inside a Columbus restaurant, not in the green room in Newark’s Prudential Center, after the NBA declined to invite him to Thursday’s draft.

NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson told ESPN.com that Sullinger would not be invited based on the reports the league had received that Sullinger wouldn’t be selected in the top 15.

 

"He’s more likely to go in the teens or in the 20s," Jackson said. "We continue to have contact with teams, but at this late date we don’t anticipate inviting him."

ESPN.com’s Chad Ford reported last week that Sullinger’s medical reports were flagged by a number of teams after the Chicago predraft camp because of a back issue. But Satch Sullinger, Jared’s father and high school coach in Columbus, refuted it, saying that his son had muscle issues and not a disk problem. Sullinger dealt with back spasms last December, forcing him to miss a road game at Kansas, but he was well enough to lead the Buckeyes to the Final Four.

 

Sullinger

 

Satch Sullinger said Monday that the family isn’t anticipating an invitation and will host a party at a Columbus restaurant instead.

"We haven’t been invited, so we’re not going to go," he said.

Jackson said the official green-room list of projected lottery players will be released Tuesday. The players must be notified by late Monday since they have to be in New York by Tuesday night.

Jared Sullinger worked out Monday for Detroit, which picks ninth.

"I know we haven’t been invited and so we’re not going to go," Satch Sullinger said. "Unless (Pistons GM) Joe Dumars said they like him at No. 9, we’re not going to go."

 

Satch Sullinger said his son has worked out for New Orleans (for its No. 10 pick), Portland (for No. 11), Golden State (for No. 7, though the Warriors also have No. 30) and Toronto (No. 8) before Monday’s workout with the Pistons.

Satch Sullinger said his son canceled a workout in Cleveland last week since the family didn’t see how he could be taken at No. 4.

His father also said his son’s agent, David Falk, is working diligently behind the scenes to ease any issues about Jared’s back.

Satch Sullinger said Jared won’t get discouraged that he won’t have the symbolic handshake with the commissioner at the draft.

"He wants the opportunity to play," Satch Sullinger said. "He knows he’ll play in the NBA. All it does is give him motivation. This just keeps him hungry and he’ll earn it. It’s a business. He’s going to play in the NBA, whatever number he goes doesn’t matter. He’s going to be like a top five pick in the NBA."

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/8094012/2012-nba-draft-former-ohio-state-bucketes-star-jared-sullinger-not-invited-draft

 

[MikezParticipant]

I’ve read this somewhere before… But where…

[McDunkin]

probably my twitter @therealMcDunkles

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

This is what happens to you when you attend the douchiest school in the nation

[WolfRobParticipant]

 Where has the motivation been? I really want to feel for him, but I don’t think he came into the combine in shape. Seems like a great kid and he should have a successful NBA carreer, but I’m disappointed he hasn’t focused on dropping weight and really working his tail off since OSU’s season ended.

 

His stock began to fall after the combine. 

[buckeyefan17Participant]

 Yeah it’s real " douchie" considering it’s one of the highest enrollment colleges in the nation.

[lilballa141Participant]

Him dropping to late teens / 20s is much better than potentially watching him go top 3 last year..that would have been tragic

[rwd5035Participant]

Bad back + questionable athleticism = Falling draft stock.

He seems like a good dude, but I’m not sure he’ll make it in the league.

[benny15Participant]

same was said about Dejuan Blair when his stock plummetted due to red flags concerning his knees and lack of athletiscm.

[rwd5035Participant]

Yea, but what is Blair? A role player averaging 8 pts, 6 rpg in his career. That’s not worthy of a lottery pick.

[theballerwayParticipant]

Some GMs gonna get alot of kudos down the line for drafting him. Hes a skill player opposed to an athlete that alone as well his bball iq will keep him around. Back issue doesnt bother me too much as his game is so grounded. think Zach Rndolph the poor mans version( i.e 5/6 less ppg n 2/3 less rbg), David west even. Hell be able to  rebound with his body and positioning hit a few pick n pop jumpers. these are definate skills he has that will instantly translate to the NBA game i think ,

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