FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- It may be a week or so before Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles decides what to do about freshman guard J.J. Sullinger's request to be released from his scholarship.

There is no deadline for Broyles and waiting a few days would give the new basketball coach, Stan Heath, an opportunity to try and persuade Sullinger to remain a Razorback.

Hired on Thursday, Heath is not expected back in Fayetteville until the middle of next week.

Arkansas associate athletic director Derrick Gragg has made Broyles aware of Sullinger's request.

Satch Sullinger has said his son wants to transfer to Ohio State.

Heath said Thursday he hoped Sullinger would stay at Arkansas.

"Right now, I think he's leaning in a different direction. But he said he is willing to talk," Heath said. "As long as there is a chance, I'm going to fight to keep him.

"J.J. and I have had a short conversation and I know he's going through a very difficult time," Heath said. "He's weighing options ... there's a lot of confusion going on. We're going to sit down at a later time and see if Arkansas is still part of his future ...

"I know J.J. from the past, we're each from Ohio. I would love to coach him."

Sullinger graduated last year from Thomas Worthington High School in Columbus, Ohio.

Broyles said now that Heath had been hired, university officials would talk to Sullinger and his father.

Sullinger and other Arkansas players sat in the second row when Heath's hiring was announced. After the announcement, Broyles said Sullinger was off limits to the media.

The elder Sullinger said Thursday night that he had asked Broyles to protect his son from the media.

Sullinger averaged 9.4 points per game as a freshman. If he leaves, the Razorbacks will have eight scholarship players returning.