As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

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Concerns about his back have dropped Jared Sullinger's stock, making it a possibility that he'll still be around when the Celtics select in Round 1. (AP)

JARED SULLINGER

Position: Power forward

School: Ohio State

Age: 20

Height: 6-foot-9

Weight: 268 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-America first team (Sporting News), 2012 All-Big Ten first team, 2011 All-America first team (Sporting News), 2011 All-Big Ten first team, 2011 USBWA National Freshman of the Year

Key 2011-12 stats: 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 51.9 FG%, 40.0 3P%

What he brings: Sullinger is slightly undersized as an NBA post player but should be able to use his strength and length to have success at the next level. He not only is a very good rebounder but a good finesse shooter in the paint, which makes him the type of forward who can record double-doubles consistently in the NBA.

Sullinger also surprised many as a 3-point shooter in his sophomore year at Ohio State, recording a .400 3-point field goal percentage on the season (16-for-40). While he may need to adjust to NBA 3-point range, he has the ability to knock down mid-range shots consistently.

He is a little undersized and is not the best athlete, but Sullinger has the skill and work ethic to be a starter in the NBA after two years at Ohio State.

Where the Celtics could get him: Many experts had Sullinger being taken by the Warriors at No. 7 overall. However, recent concerns about Sullinger’s back plus unimpressive pre-draft tests have him falling down draft boards in the 15-25 range, so the Celtics might have a shot at him.

Notes: In his senior year of high school in Columbus, Ohio, Sullinger led his Northland High School team to a 21-0 record, averaging 24.5 points and 11.7 rebounds on the season. In the 2010 McDonald’s All-American game, he was named co-MVP along with Harrison Barnes ^[4].

Recent articles:

ESPN: Jared Sullinger’s back a concern ^[5]

Sports Illustrated: Sullinger measures up as prospects face the tape at pre-draft combine ^[6]

Video: Here are highlights from Sullinger’s 2011-12 season.