Jared Sullinger
Photo by Wayne Litmer
Throughout the month of March and into early April, MaxPreps.com will highlight 10 high school seniors sure to make a splash in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
No. 2 Jared Sullinger
6-9 / 260 / Forward
Northland (Columbus, Ohio)
Headed to: Ohio State
2009-10 season: Sullinger’s senior season came to a sudden and shocking end with a 26-point loss to Gahanna Lincoln in Ohio’s Division I playoffs. Northland entered that contest 23-0 and one of two teams still in the mix for high school basketball’s mythical national title.
Coached by his father J.T. “Satch” Sullinger at Northland, the longtime Buckeye commitment posted 23.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He earned first team All-America honors by MaxPreps and was co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game played in Columbus.
Sullinger posted 32 points and 17 rebounds in an ESPN-televised victory against Nevada independent powerhouse Findlay Prep last December.
Next-level analysis: Having Naismith Player of the Year Evan Turner back would have been a bonus, but Sullinger’s presence – along with a top-rated recruiting class – will keep expectations high in Columbus.
Returning double-figures scorers William Buford, Jon Diebler and David Lighty will provide plenty of offensive firepower if head coach Thad Matta can identify a serviceable ballhandler. That leaves Sullinger, senior-to-be Dallas Lauderdale and fellow incoming freshman forward Deshaun Thomas – Indiana’s Mr. Basketball – to handle the work in the paint.
Initially, rebounding and collecting garbage points would be the perfect complement to OSU’s returning talent. But the Buckeyes will need Sullinger to ease into the role of dominating big man by the time the NCAA Tournament rolls around to improve on this year’s Sweet 16 appearance.
No. 10 Cory Joseph
No. 9 Perry Jones
No. 8 Tristan Thompson
No. 7 Will Barton
No. 6 Tobias Harris
No. 5 Kyrie Irving
No. 4 Joe Jackson
No. 3 Brandon Knight
No. 2 Jared Sullinger
