In Jared Sullinger, Ohio State has another fab freshman

By: Bob Finnan (News-Herald.com) - COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Buckeyes are hoping Jared Sullinger doesn’t follow the example set by big men B.J. Mullens, Kosta Koufos and Greg Oden.

All three centers were one-and-done players, whose NBA careers have yet to blossom.

Sullinger, a talented freshman forward/center, has experienced few growing pains since joining the Buckeyes this season.

The 6-foot-9, 280-pounder became one of the Big Ten’s best big men the moment he stepped on the Columbus campus.

He’s averaging 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in the soon-to-be No. 1 Buckeyes’ first 18 games. Sullinger, who is shooting 59.3 percent from the field and 73.6 percent from the free-throw line, has helped the Buckeyes get off to their best start since the 1961-62 season.

He admits he’s a bit astonished by the relative ease at which he’s stepped in and excelled.

“I’m surprised,” Sullinger said. “Coming in as a freshman, I thought it would be tough to make the transition from high school to an elite level in college.”

The Columbus Northland High School product came in with impeccable credentials. His teams compiled a 95-4 record at Northland, which included a 2009 Division I state championship. He captured the James A. Naismith Award in 2010, which signifies the top player in the country.

He’s the first Ohio player since…..

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