After scoring 1,282 points (avg. 17.3 points per game), pulling in 717 rebounds (9.7 per game), and starting 73 out of 74 games played, Jared Sullinger has ended the speculation and announced that he is leaving for the NBA. During the last two years, Sullinger has helped the Ohio State Buckeyes win more games in a two year stretch than any other team in the country.
Although I’d like to think that another year would do him good, this is not college football, this is the NBA. Star players come out much younger and do well.
As much as I’d like to seem him come back for another year, when faced with the opportunity to make millions, it would be wrong for him not to do so. College classes can be taken during the off season. Sullinger is a Columbus native. His roots are deep and he will always call Columbus home. It is highly likely that you may see him around campus in the fall.
Thank you for a great run Jared and here’s to a successful career in the NBA.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Well said, Jim.
Thanks Peeps. As much as you hate to see them turn pro, I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be almost irresponsible for them not to do so when the time comes. When faced with the decision to continue another year at college or make enough to set them up for the rest of their lives, playing the game they love, it seems rather obvious. To want them to stay is selfish.
Somewhere on this blog you will see my thoughts on creating a major in professional sports. I believe there is great potential for a strong educational program geared to the potential professional sports athlete. The right program would prepare the student for both life after professional sports or alternative careers if actually playing doesn’t work out.
Instead of paying college athletes, maybe we openly make their experience training for a desired career.
Good luck Sully and Buford, If you play in the NBA lick you did at OSU both of you are a cant miss.
I believe we have enough talent returning to win another Big Ten and make a run in the NCAA tournament.
Please don’t mention “can’t miss” basketball players from tOSU. I have suffered for 6 long years trying to come to terms with Greg Oden. I think that I have finally accepted the fact that it is over.
Side note …… where is GonzoHog when you want to talk to him?? I would like to get his take on the whole Petrino-gate mess. Lets see if character matters at Arkansas.
You make a great point Mr. Duck Man. Petrino was with a 25 year old female employee of the school. After the accident he tried to cover it up by lying to the State Police and the University. Now a State Trooper is also under investigation for the cover-up as well. There will be a good chance that this female employee will end up suing the University and the tax payers of Arkansas will be footing the bill. Safe to say …… Petrino is a cheatin’ liar. He has made a mockery of himself, the University, the SEC, and NCAA Football. Seems funny how life comes full circle sometimes:
WIN IT FOR TRESS – THEBUCKEYEBLOG
GonzoHog July 19, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Yep, that’s true. He has all kinds of felons just begging to sign up.
Guys getting DWIs, guys getting caught with a doobie in their dorm room, public intoxications,…wow! we’re talking some serious crimes here.
I bet they never do that in Columbus. Then again, since the players are so “special” up there in Columbus, and everyone just wants to be so close to them, that probably includes the traffic cops as well, right? Is that the right perception?
Reply:
Tony the “Quacking Duck” July 20, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Wow ….. I can’t believe what your saying here Gonzo. So, if it is true that Bobby has all kinds of felons begging to play ball for him ….. he must be recruiting them. I think this says volumes about him as a coach. If he goes after “all kinds of felons” I guess “character” isn’t a quality that he/Arkansas values. This is truley enlightening to me. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised ….. Bill Clinton is from Arkansas.
Reply:
GonzoHog July 20, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Now I know why you call yourself “Quacking Duck”. Thanks for enlightning me. I guess I shouldn’t be suprised though…..Oregon is connected to the homosexual dominated state that carried Bill Clinton in his presidential election.
1) Petrino lacks character ……… CHECK
2) Traffic cops just want to be close to Petrino …….. CHECK
3) Bill Clinton and Petrino can’t keep their hands off the employees ……. CHECK
4) “Oregon is connected to the homosexual dominated state” …. ? … Still confused on this one.
You’ll notice that I didn’t even post on the Petrino story. If I did, it would only be aimed at one person. That and the fact that I expected to see Petrino to either go out on some sort of scandal or to bail out at the first whif of trouble or a better offer.
Although I’m not going to go back and look through the records to see what I said about Petrino, you will recall my comments about how they felt in Louisville about him.
But hey, at least there weren’t any tattoos involved.
I think GonzoHog was the little piggy that went, “WE, WE, WE …….all the way home.”
Gonzo still has 13 other teams to cheer for. ESS-EEE-CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE