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.

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.

Recent articles:

ESPN: Jared Sullinger’s back a concern

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

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

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.

Kris Joseph showed steady improvement during his four years at Syracuse. (AP)

KRIS JOSEPH

Position: Small forward

School: Syracuse

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 215 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-Big East first team, 2012 Wooden Award finalist, 2012 Naismith Trophy finalist, 2010 Big East Sixth Man Award

What he brings: Joseph may not be the quickest forward in the draft, but he showed his worth in scoring through a four-year career with Syracuse. When the Orange went 34-3 in 2011-12, the small forward led his team in points. He averaged a team-high 13.4 points per game, had a field goal conversion rate of 42.1 percent and grabbed 4.7 rebounds per game.

Joseph also has the ability to find the free throw line and turn those chances into points. He took a team-high 157 shots from the line, finishing the season with a 74.5 percent conversion rate.

The 496 points he recorded his senior season helped him become a member of Syracuse’s 1,000-point club.

Where the Celtics could get him: Joseph is projected to go late in the first round, so the Celtics should have the option to use one of their two first-round picks on him.

Notes: Growing up in Montreal, Joseph played basketball in his house with his older brother, Maurice (who played two years at Vermont after transferring from Michigan State). Kris moved to Washington, D.C., after his sophomore year of high school to improve his basketball portfolio. … Joseph’s role with Syracuse increased over the course of his career, as he didn’t start many games as a freshman or a sophomore. Starting 37 games as a senior, he came a long way from the sophomore who started just four of 35 games.

Recent articles:

AP: Syracuse looks to senior Kris Joseph to lead

The Washington Post: NCAA Q&A: Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Video: Here’s a mix of Joseph highlights.

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.

Fab Melo is a raw but athletic big man. (AP)

FAB MELO

Position: Center

School: Syracuse

Age: 21

Height: 7 feet

Weight: 255 pounds

Achievements: Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2012), Preseason Big East Rookie of the Year (2010-11), McDonald’s High School All-American (2010)

Key 2011-12 stats: 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks

What he brings: Melo’s most impressive traits are his size, rebounding and shot-blocking ability. He displays decent mobility and jumping ability but lacks the elite athleticism of fellow center prospects Meyers Leonard and Andre Drummond.

Offensively, Melo is extremely raw and is still learning the game. He does not project to be a superstar at the next level, but given the dearth of big men who can run the floor, he is an intriguing option.

Where the Celtics could get him: Projections have Melo going somewhere in the 15-25 range, which is right where the Celtics reside with two picks.

Notes: Melo made enormous strides in his second season at Syracuse before being held out of three games in January due to an unspecified academic issue and then being ruled ineligible for the NCAA tournament. He also had a domestic violence issue in 2011. After breaking the turn signal on his girlfriend’s car, he was charged with criminal mischief. If he remains out of trouble through November, he’ll have a clean record. Melo, who grew up in Brazil, did not start playing competitive basketball until the ninth grade. He attended high school in Florida (near Miami) his junior and senior years.

Recent articles:

CNYcentral.com: Fab Melo done at Syracuse, what went wrong?

Fear the Sword: NBA draft player profile: Fab Melo

Video: Here’s a Melo highlight mix.