Celtics take Sullinger with 21st pick of NBA draft

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Celtics have chosen Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger with the 21st pick of the NBA draft.

Sullinger led the Buckeyes to the NCAA semifinals this year, but his draft stock had fallen, in part because of concerns about back problems. If healthy, he can be a productive scorer and rebounder for a team that needs help in the front court.

The 6-foot-9, 280-pound Sullinger averaged 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds as a sophomore last season.

The Celtics also had the 22nd pick of the first round and the 21st of the second round, the 51st overall.

With Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen becoming free agents, Boston has just four players under contract -- Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and JaJuan Johnson, last year's first-round draft pick.