Jared Sullinger, former Ohio State Buckeye, not invited to NBA draft 'green room,' indicating he won't be a top 15 pick: report

It was disclosed last week that NBA doctors are concerned about the health of Sullinger's back. An ESPN.com report that he will not be among players in the "green room" is an indication he may slide out of the upper half of the first round.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerConcerns about the health of his back have apparently harmed the draft prospects for former Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger (0).

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Power forward Jared Sullinger, the two-time first-team All-America power forward from Ohio State, has not been invited to the "green room" in Newark's Prudential Center for Thursday night's NBA draft, according to an ESPN.com report.

The green room is where the players projected as among the top 15 or so picks traditionally gather, waiting for their names to be called and then walking onto to the stage to be congratulated by commissioner David Stern on national TV.

It was disclosed last week that Sullinger has back issues which are a health concern for NBA doctors.

Many analysts had projected Sullinger as being drafted as high as sixth or seventh, and few had him dropping out of the top dozen or so picks. The ESPN.com report that Sullinger will not be among the players in the "green room" is, apparently, an indication that he may slide out of the upper half of the first round.

The Cleveland Cavaliers own the fourth and 24th picks in the first round, and second-round selections at Nos. 33 and 34. Sullinger canceled a scheduled workout with the Cavs last week, reportedly because his family doesn't believe Cleveland would take him with the fourth pick.

Andy Katz writes for ESPN.com:

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

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

Last week ESPN.com's Chad Ford reported that Sullinger's medical reports were red-flagged by a number of teams after the Chicago pre-draft camp because of a back issue. But Satch Sullinger, Jared's father who coached him in high school in Columbus, refuted it, saying that his son had muscle issues, and not a disc 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.

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

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2012/06/jared_sullinger_former_ohio_st.html

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