Freshman Jared Sullinger says he’ll return to school next season, but will he change his mind?
Sullinger vows to return to Ohio State; Will he follow through?
If Jared Sullinger really is a man of his word, he'll certainly soften the blow for what was a wounded fan base on Friday night.
Following Ohio State's tough 62-60 regional semifinal loss to Kentucky in Newark, N.J., the nation's top freshman vowed to return for his sophomore season.
"I'm going to be an Ohio State Buckeye next year," he said. "Winning is that important to me. I don't like losing. This is not what I came here to do. This is not what I came here for, to sit here and see my seniors crying. I came here to win a national championship, to see them celebrate. I wanted to (share) tears of joy with these guys.
"I'm a man of my word. I won't change my mind for nobody. This is what I want. This is where I'm happy. I'm happy being an Ohio State Buckeye and playing for coach (Thad) Matta."
If Sullinger actually does follow through, it would be a complete breath of fresh air in the era of the one-and-done collegiate star.
Sullinger added that he wasn't caught up in the emotion of the moment, but that he also hadn't made the decision until after the loss.
Before Friday, it was a foregone conclusion that the 6-foot-9 frosh, who averaged 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game this season, was destined to be a Top-5 pick in this June's NBA draft. After last weekend, it appeared highly likely that he'd be greeting NBA commissioner David Stern on draft night with a hand ready to don a national championship ring. The Buckeyes blitzed through two warm-ups in Cleveland, but couldn't shake the young, athletic Wildcats, who won on a thrilling late jumper by their own freshman star, Brandon Knight.
Even though Sullinger finished with game-highs in points (21) and rebounds (16), he had trouble dominating against Kentucky's Josh Harrellson, who had 17 and 10, respectively, and was up to the physical challenge Sullinger put forth.
Judging from Matta's words, Sullinger's vow was no surprise.
"He told me from Day one he'd be back for two years," Matta said. "He said, 'Draw me up a contract, whatever you want me to do, I'll sign it.' With him, his freshman year was as good as I've ever seen a freshman have. I think all the things he learned this year, with a great offseason, I have no doubt he'll be the best player in college basketball."
It's true, he'd likely be a unanimous preseason All-American and everyone's pick for Player of the Year honors heading into the 2011-12 campaign.
But let's not get caught carving Sullinger's words into stone just yet.
If he does decide to go pro, Sullinger would by no means be the first guy to say he's coming back while in an emotional state, only to change his mind after cooling off some.
For Ohio State, it happened just a few years ago, when then-freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr. said he'd be coming back after the Buckeyes were defeated by Florida in the 2007 national title game. He wisely changed his mind and was taken fourth overall in the NBA draft two months later.
One thing that makes you think Sullinger means it is the fact that, simply, he's just a different kind of kid.
This is the same guy who allowed himself to be recorded while singing Miley Cyrus tunes and, after a game at Minnesota, even asked for a sign a fan had made taunting him about it, then sent it to be displayed at his parents' home. He genuinely appears to enjoy being the big man on campus and all that comes with it, and once you bolt for the professional ranks, that rare sensation is gone.
If he comes back, Ohio State will again be loaded and expected to compete for a national title.
The Buckeyes lose sharp-shooter Jon Diebler, über-glue guy David Lighty and veteran forward Dallas Lauderdale to graduation.
However, junior guard William Buford also declared on Friday night that he'll be back (Label this one as an emotional declare for the time being, too, as he not only was hurting after the loss, but also was a brutal 2-of-16 from the floor). Point guard Aaron Craft could be the Big Ten's top floor general as a sophomore, while forward Deshaun Thomas will also be just a sophomore, and capable of being a big-time scorer. To boot, the Buckeyes add a freshman class that includes four members of the 2011 Rivals Top100.
It's certainly enticing. Sullinger can't really help his draft stock a whole ton by coming back, but on the other hand, barring a major injury, there wouldn't be a huge risk of hurting it much, either.
Maybe he really, truly just wants to win a title. What's wrong with that? Isn't that supposed to be what big-time college basketball is all about, anyway?
If he leaves, it would be impossible for anyone in Columbus to hold any ill will towards him. But if he's in fact a man of his word, the long offseason ahead — along with the upcoming suspension-filled football season — will be much easier for Buckeye Nation to cope with.
We'll know more once the emotions wear off.
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