[6] Sullinger was selected to play in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game in Columbus, Ohio,[7] where he was named co-MVP with Harrison Barnes.

[10] On March 10, 2010, Sullinger won the James A. Naismith Award, which goes to the boys' high school basketball player of the year.

Five days after the loss, the two-time AP All-American declared he was entering the 2012 draft, where he was widely expected to be a lottery pick, until he was reportedly flagged by several teams after the Chicago pre-draft camp due to back issues.

[16] On February 1, 2013, Sullinger underwent successful lumbar disk surgery and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season.

[19] After averaging 14.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game up until the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend, Sullinger was ruled out indefinitely after X-rays on February 19 revealed a stress reaction in his left foot.

[20] Three days later, he was ruled out for the rest of the season after further medical evaluation determined that Sullinger had sustained a left metatarsal stress fracture.

He entered the game four minutes into the third quarter, missed both his shots and didn't return as part of a gradual effort to improve his stamina.

[23] On December 7, 2015, Sullinger scored 11 points and tied a career high with 20 rebounds in a 111–93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

After missing half the season, Sullinger made his debut for the Raptors on January 18, 2017, scoring eight points in just under 14 minutes off the bench in a 94–89 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

[37] On February 23, 2017, Sullinger was traded, along with cash considerations and Toronto's second-round draft picks in 2017 and 2018, to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for P. J.

[39] On September 12, 2017, Sullinger signed a one-year deal with the Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association.

[44] In December 2024, Sullinger made his debut with the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association.