After social media posts originated this week that showed Jalen Sullinger working out at the MAC Center, Kent State Head Coach Rob Senderoff confirmed Sunday that Sullinger is enrolled as a full time student at KSU and back in the men’s basketball program.
Sullinger entered the transfer portal following the 2023-2024 season on March 20. After a couple of months, Sullinger committed to play this season at Furman. The 5-10 lefty scorer at all three levels, had a change of heart and will return to the blue and gold.
“I’m back home in Kent,” Sullinger texted on Sunday when reached for comment. “I’ve missed the relationships, my brothers and I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else, or at any other school. I’m ready to get back to work and compete for a MAC Championship.”
Senderoff said the plan for Sullinger is to redshirt during the 2024-2025 season. Of course, plans can change. Injuries, and any other number of things that come up during a college basketball season could impact that plan, and have Sullinger compete this season.
After going through the summer, the team has been formed and it was able to gain cohesion and chemistry, and roles have begun to be formed. A redshirt would allow Sullinger to improve in all areas and aspects of his game and return to the court in 2025-2026 to help lead a Flashes team set to have six seniors this season.
The Thomas Worthington product from Columbus averaged 16.3 points per game for the Flashes in 2023-2024 while shooting 39.2 percent from the three point line. A dynamic scorer, Sullinger carried the team at times with his offensive outbursts. As a sophomore in 2022-2023 he was named MAC Sixth man of the Year in helping lead Kent State to a MAC Championship.
The Sullinger name is basketball royalty in Ohio. Jalen’s grandfather Satch is a legendary high school coach in Ohio while his father J.J. starred at Ohio State as well as uncle Jared. Jalen’s other uncle of course is Julian Sullinger, longtime Golden Flash player and coach who left this offseason to be an assistant coach at Duquesne.
It appears Jalen will get to finish his career where it started, at the MAC Center on the campus of Kent State University.