NBA Draft 2012: Most Likely Landing Spots for Ohio State Big Man Jared Sullinger

After a stellar two years in which he dominated college basketball and was named a two-time AP All-American, Ohio State stud Jared Sullinger hopes to find the perfect fit at the 2012 NBA Draft and get his NBA career off to a flying start.

Sullinger turned many heads before even showing up at Ohio State, as he earned co-MVP honors at the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game and was among the nation's most highly touted recruits.

He was a surefire lottery pick coming out of his freshman year with the Buckeyes, but opted to stay for his sophomore season after a gut-wrenching defeat to Kentucky in the Sweet 16.

Sullinger enjoyed much more success in the 2011-12 season in which he led a much more complete Buckeyes squad to the Final Four. They went on to lose to national runner-up Kansas, but it wasn't due to Sullinger, who nearly averaged a double-double on the year with 17.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. 

Where will Sullinger most likely end up, and which teams fit him the best?

Take a look, then decide for yourself. 

Portland Trail Blazers

With two of the first 11 picks in this year's draft and plenty of need down in the low post, the Trail Blazers seem to be the clear favorites to inherit Sullinger at this point.

Greg Oden's tenure with Portland has been a woeful one, and it needs to bring in a new post presence with a high ceiling in the hopes that Oden will be soon forgotten. LaMarcus Aldridge recently has been emerging as a star, but he has little help with J.J. Hickson, arguably the Blazers' next-best presence down low.

Sullinger is potentially the strongest and toughest post player in the draft despite not being a traditional center, so he could contribute minutes in the 5 position if and when Portland needs him to. This makes the most sense, and Portland will love the fact that he can probably be picked up with the No. 11 overall pick, allowing the Blazers to use the sixth overall pick on backcourt talent.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland has already nabbed its backcourt stud for the future with 2011's No. 1 overall pick, Kyrie Irving.

Now, they must focus on adding a bruising force to the interior.

UConn's Andre Drummond has been pegged as the favorite for Cleveland's No. 4 overall pick, but he's been widely named a risky selection due to his ineffectiveness game in and game out on a Connecticut team that was ousted in the NCAA tournament's second round and disgracefully failed at defending its national championship. 

After two seasons in which he averaged more than 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds, Sullinger is much more of a lock at the position than Drummond, and he makes up for the size disadvantage by playing with incredible heart and grit.

After the past few years the city of Cleveland has had, it could use a player like Sullinger over Drummond. 

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings will feast their eyes on the big guys available in this year's draft and could very well end up with the likes of Sullinger.

The Kings boasted one of the worst defenses in the 2011-12 season, undoubtedly the biggest concern that needs addressing with their lottery pick.

Sullinger is as dominant—and sometimes more so—on the defensive side as he is with the ball in his hands, so bringing in the Ohio State big man would pay dividends for a Kings frontcourt that needs rebounds and quick hands. 

If the Kings don't go with Sullinger or Kansas phenom Thomas Robinson with their fifth overall pick, it will be a nightmare of a draft for them.