HoopsHype.com Rumors

In response to ESPN's story about Ohio State F Jared Sullinger being medically red-flagged for back issues & possibly plummeting in the draft, his agent, David Falk, tells SI.com, "Jared has consulted with one of the foremost specialists of backs and spines, who has vast experience treating professional athletes. He has explained to us that Jared had extremely tight hamstrings that became tight because he had suffered an injury - that I don't think he was aware of - to his hamstring. He needs to maintain a vigilance with his flexibility. And if he does that, and keeps his weight at an appropriate level, then he should have absolutely no problems over the next 15 years." Sulia

Draft, David Falk, Jared Sullinger 

Kendall Marshall: Not even worried about the bro @Jared Sullinger. There were "red flags" about Dejuan Blair cuz he had NO acl's. he seems to be doing just fine. Twitter

Draft, DeJuan Blair, Jared Sullinger, Kendall Marshall 

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

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

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, 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. ESPN.com

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

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. Sullinger missed two games for Ohio State in early December with back spasms. ESPN.com

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

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." ESPN.com

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

The New Orleans Hornets are working out Baylor's Perry Jones and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger this morning at the Alario Center. Both are power forwards. It's the third pre-draft workout the Hornets have conducted. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones 

Everybody’s not going to be athletic. I’m just one of those guys that’s never going to be athletic. I’ve learned to accept it. I just wish everybody else would.” Do you have a hard time hearing that? Jared Sullinger: “I have no hard time with it, I just think it’s funny. Everybody’s like ‘I can’t score, I’m not athletic enough to play in the NBA.’ You look at Kevin Love, he’s not that athletic. You look at Zach Randolph, he’s not that athletic. It doesn’t matter. If you can score in the post, you can score in the post. It doesn’t matter if you’re athletic or not. Contra Costa Times

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Jimmy Durkin: Jared Sullinger addressed his athleticism after working out with ‪#Warriors‬: "I'm just one of those guys that's never going to be athletic." Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Draft, Jared Sullinger 

The Warriors on Monday watched an undistinguished workout between small forwards (Perry Jones III and Terrence Jones) they would consider drafting with the No. 7 overall pick. They'll take a head-to-head look at power forwards (Jared Sullinger and John Henson) for the same draft spot on Thursday. San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Draft, Terrence Jones, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones 

Chris Haynes: Jared Sullinger tired of the height jokes: "When I'm scoring inside the paint they'll see how tall I really am." Twitter

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Chad Ford: Jared Sullinger was bad in virtually every category. Not unexpected, but still … Twitter

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

One team source said Perry Jones is in the race, but he’s not a front runner. Another Warriors source rated the Baylor sophomore above Terrence Jones, though the Warriors’ camp likes the Kentucky star. But both are at risk of being trumped by future prospects. Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger is scheduled to come in. Golden State is still hoping to workout North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, who is projected to be a better SF at the NBA level. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Draft, Harrison Barnes, Terrence Jones, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones 

Most of the top prospects did not participate in drills at the NBA combine, but Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said the team was able to get some much-needed information during their meet-and-greet sessions with the players. They met with Robinson, Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist, North Carolina players Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller and Kendall Marshall, Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb from Connecticut, Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, Washington guard Terence Ross, Duke guard Austin Rivers, Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie, Illinois center Meyers Leonard and Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins, among others. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld, Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Austin Rivers, John Jenkins, Jeremy Lamb, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, Kendall Marshall 

Asked if he might be a draft sleeper, Jared Sullinger's face broke into a sly smile. If the Ohio State forward was prepared for anything during the NBA draft combine, it was this question. "I could be," Sullinger said. "A lot of people have been sleeping on me, and it's kind of fun. All my life I've kind of been known as the underdog. Chicago Tribune

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Jared Sullinger: "People said I wasn't going to be able to play at the college level, and I did. Some people said I wasn't going to be able to play at the high school level; some people said I was too overweight to play at the middle school level. I'm used to it." Chicago Tribune

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Missouri shooting guard Marcus Denmon worked out with the Pistons while team officials interviewed North Carolina big men John Henson and Tyler Zeller and Ohio State center Jared Sullinger . The 6-foot-3 Denmon is a second-round prospect who averaged 17.7 points and five rebounds last season. He said he felt his meeting with Detroit went well. "I got good feedback," he said. It would be out of my place to speak on it, but I can say I had a really good workout." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Draft, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller 

"Everybody is overanalyzing my game," Sullinger said. "I'm always the bad guy in every gym, but it is what it is. I don't mind." Akron Beacon Journal

Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Sullinger doesn't appear to be a fit with the Cavaliers at No. 4 and will be long gone by the time they select again at No. 24. Sullinger could go anywhere in the lottery. In addition to the Cavaliers, Sullinger has already met with the Kings, Suns, Thunder and Mavericks. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Draft, Jared Sullinger 

Seems like Warriors (No. 7 pick) are especially high on Ohio State big man Jared Sullinger. In fact, their GM said on record that they are. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Draft, Jared Sullinger