Sullinger Named 2009 Ohio Mr. Basketball
Jared Sullinger of Northland was named the Associated Press Mr. Basketball for Ohio for 2009 after voting by a statewide media panel.
Sullinger, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior forward who gave an oral commitment to Ohio State as a freshman, averaged 19.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 67 percent from the field.
He powered Northland to its first state championship last year. Northland has excelled since Sullinger's freshman season, when it finished 24-1 and captutred a Central District championship.
A 2007-2008 season fueled by great expectations ended bitterly when Sullinger was suspended for a district semifinal game by his father and coach, Satch Sullinger, for falling behind in his schoolwork. The lesson proved costly as Westerville South upset the top-ranked Vikings (21-1).
Except for an ankle injury that cost him two games, Sullinger was not only productive but also consistent last season. Blessed with a deft shooting touch, exceptional strength and body control and great court vision, Sullinger is rated as the consensus No. 1 player in the country by ESPN.
He comes from a strong pedigree. His older brother, J.J., started at Arkansas and capped his career at Ohio State. He now plays overseas. Another brother, Julian, plays at Kent State.
Other finalists for Mr. Basketball were:
Sullinger, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior forward who gave an oral commitment to Ohio State as a freshman, averaged 19.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 67 percent from the field.
He powered Northland to its first state championship last year. Northland has excelled since Sullinger's freshman season, when it finished 24-1 and captutred a Central District championship.
A 2007-2008 season fueled by great expectations ended bitterly when Sullinger was suspended for a district semifinal game by his father and coach, Satch Sullinger, for falling behind in his schoolwork. The lesson proved costly as Westerville South upset the top-ranked Vikings (21-1).
Except for an ankle injury that cost him two games, Sullinger was not only productive but also consistent last season. Blessed with a deft shooting touch, exceptional strength and body control and great court vision, Sullinger is rated as the consensus No. 1 player in the country by ESPN.
He comes from a strong pedigree. His older brother, J.J., started at Arkansas and capped his career at Ohio State. He now plays overseas. Another brother, Julian, plays at Kent State.
Other finalists for Mr. Basketball were:
- Orlando Williams of Cincinnati Princeton
- Josh Schuler of Cincinnati Princeton
- Carl "Tay" Jones of Garfield Heights
- C.J. McCollum of Canton GlenOak
- Garrick Sherman of Kenton
- Aaron Craft of Findlay Liberty Union and
- Tyler Tucci of Malvern.