ESPN: Doctors Red Flag NBA Draft Prospect Jared Sullinger - East Idaho News
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ESPN: Doctors Red Flag NBA Draft Prospect Jared Sullinger

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Getty S 4412 Sullinger?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1340130005977Jim Rogash/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — With the NBA Draft approaching, Ohio State big man Jared Sullinger is a projected lottery pick, but there may be health concerns that come along with him.

ESPN’s Chad Ford is reporting that doctors have flagged Sullinger after concerns over a back issue. Last week at the draft combine, Sullinger underwent a battery of tests as all prospects do. A number of NBA team doctors reviewed Sullinger’s medical information and have warned teams that his back issue could shorten his career. Some doctors have even told teams that they shouldn’t draft Sullinger in the first round.

Despite the reports, Sullingers father, Satch Sullinger, doesn’t think its nearly as big of an issue as some see.

“He had a bulging area that was due to his hamstrings and quads being so tight,” Weth Sullinger said to ESPN’s Andy Katz. “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 going to help take the pressure off the area.”

In his sophomore season at Ohio State, Sullinger averaged 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

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