With the 21st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics took Ohio State sophomore forward Jared Sullinger.
Picked apart by doctors and panned by scouts leading up to the draft, Sullinger will join a growing list of red-flagged big men who slid on draft night due to size or injury concerns. Despite averaging 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game during his sophomore campaign with the Buckeyes, Sullinger ended up being the 8th big man off the board in 2012 after possibly going No. 1 or No. 2 a year ago.
While his fall from elite prospect to a late 1st rounder/early 2nd rounder will serve as a cautionary tale for one-n-done prospects in the future, Sullinger's determination to succeed will ultimately set the tone for career as a basketball player. While he probably won't be able to compete for a starting role right away in Celtics rotation, Sullinger, who is likely hungrier than ever after this obvious slight, should be an impact scorer from day one with the Celtics.
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