2012 NBA Mock Draft: Elite College Players Who Will Be NBA Busts

So many things can turn a college stud into a professional dud. Some guys aren't mature enough to handle the NBA game, or aren't willing to put in the extra work it takes in a league where most players are no longer the best athletes on the court like they were in college.

Other guys benefit from a system built around them in college and aren't versatile enough for the NBA. Others still are drafted into systems that simply don't fit their skill set.

Whatever the case may be, busts happen. A lot. And this year's draft will be no different.

Let's take a look at a few players with bust potential.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is a game-changer for the Bobcats. He'll help change this franchise.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is both polished and equipped with huge upside. He'll help this team in every possible way.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Drummond has a ridiculous amount of upside, but he also has "potential bust" written all over him. He's inconsistent and doesn't seem comfortable with maintaining physical play in the paint—a big warning sign for a big man.

Drummond is going to get someone fired.

Talent only goes so far if a player can't maintain focus consistently and doesn't want to be dominant. Unless Drummond proves to do both, he'll be a bust.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Blazers could use a talented guard. Beal fits the bill.

5. Toronto Raptors: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson doesn't have the upside some of the other top-five picks possess, but he's as NBA-ready as they come.

6. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Who the hell is Perry Jones III? And more importantly, who will he be in the NBA?

Is he the guy who went for 17 points and eight rebounds against Kentucky, or the guy who only managed nine points in Baylor's first two tournament games?

Is he the guy who can dominate given his excellent size, versatility and athletic ability, or the guy who disappears for long stretches and often seems passive?

His talent is too much to pass up on. His inconsistency will make him a bust.

7. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger gives the Kings a well-rounded option to pair with DeMarcus Cousins on the block.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

If Barnes drops to the Cavs, the team will be absolutely giddy. Barnes is the best pure scorer on the wing in this year's draft—a major need for Cleveland.

9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Jazz need a point guard. Lillard isn't the best pure point guard in the draft, but his ability to get to the rack and his natural scoring ability make him the right pick as the first point guard off the board.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Andrew Bogut who?

If Zeller leaves Indiana, he shouldn't drop past the Bucks.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Brothers Zeller are on fire! With Beal and Zeller in tow, this Blazers team will be very scary in 2012-13.

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

He won't ever score like Chris Paul can, but he''ll become as talented a passer and floor general.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb has unbelievable upside. But I think he's too soft to ever reach his potential.

Not just physically soft, mind you, though he certainly could serve to get stronger. I'm not sure if Lamb has the mindset to be the dominant scorer he could be.

Maybe Lamb will someday be a nice second or third option for a team, but given his potential, that won't be enough to prevent him from earning "bust" status.

14. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers came to mind when I wrote this article, but I think a switch to shooting guard in the NBA will do wonders for his game. Rivers can flat-out score, and the combination of he and Lillard will light it up from the perimeter for years to come in Utah.

15. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Rockets add to the frontcourt with the long and athletic power forward from Mississippi State.

16. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets): Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

This will make saying goodbye to Deron Williams a little easier.

A little.

17. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

If Kevin Garnett isn't back next year, Henson would be a nice start in the effort to replace him.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones has immense talent but doesn't always display it. Sure, the Nuggets already have a big man that fits that description in JaVale McGee, but they'll play with fire here and add another player who could drive them nuts down the line.

Jones might not have a natural position in the NBA, falling somewhere between the 3 and 4. His habit of taking a high number of perimeter jumpers and questions about his maturity could make him a major project for the team that drafts him.

His talent is hard to ignore, but if Jones is his own worst enemy, it won't be so hard to ignore that talent while it rides the bench.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

With all of the point guards worthy of a pick at this spot off the board, the Hawks add some Al Horford insurance at the center position with Leonard.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Elton Brand's knees won't last forever. Hell, they may not even last until next year. Nicholson fills a need.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas Mavericks): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller was overshadowed by Perry Jones III for much of the season, but he may end up being the better pro. His upside is immense.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Patric Young, C, Florida

Young will likely return to Florida, but if he doesn't, the Grizzlies will gladly add the talented center.

23. Indiana Pacers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

You may not watch the NIT (of course you don't), but Ross has flat-out torched the opposition, scoring 23, 32 and 24 points in Washington's first three NIT games. The dude can score, and for Indiana—a team with no glaring needs—he's a great value here.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State

Leslie has the athletic ability to play the 3 and the size to play the 4. He'll add versatility to Boston's frontcourt next year.

25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

I love Taylor on Orlando. His size and ability to stroke the outside jumper will make him a great addition on the wing for the Magic.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Hey, one wing player is good, but two is better. Barnes and Harkless will turn a weakness to a strength very quickly.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

He's a different player than Monta Ellis, but he could end up being a far better fit for the team.

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

Green will never be a star, but he's the sort of player that can wear a lot of hats for a team and be a key piece to a championship puzzle. He's perfect for Miami.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Hey, why not add another shooter? It's not like this team has any obvious needs, so they can go for luxury here.

30. Chicago Bulls: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

He's the most talented player still on the board, and if the Bulls aren't concerned with his off-court anxiety issues, they'll snatch him up here. White could probably play four positions coming off the bench for the Bulls—he's that athletic and versatile.

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