2012 NBA Mock Draft: College Studs That Will Regret Leaving Early

The NBA draft has become almost exclusively a draft of underclassmen. Some of those players are going to regret coming out this year. 

Certain guys are only going to improve by playing, and their weaknesses will not allow them to spend much time on the NBA court. These guys should have worked on their weaknesses on the college courts and entered the draft when they were more prepared. 

In my latest mock draft below, the players that fit this mold are highlighted with extra attention. 

Langford's 2012 NBA Mock Draft

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is not one of those guys. While he needs to add bulk, he has a complete game and will find plenty of minutes right off the bat. 

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

Kidd-Gilchrist is an explosive player with a complete game. He will contribute right away. 

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

Drummond has great feet for a man his size. He is still a bit raw, but athletic enough to hang on the NBA stage.

4. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, SF, Kansas 

Robinson's stock has been skyrocketing, and deservedly so. He is the real deal and a complete player.

5. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Lamb can score buckets. The Raptors could certainly use that. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Blazers could use Barnes' athleticism and explosiveness. 

7. Detroit Pistons: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is an natural-born scorer. He will add some pop to the Pistons lineup. 

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Why Leonard Will Regret Leaving Early

At 7'1", Leonard has the height that will make it impossible for NBA teams to pass on. He also has great athleticism. 

Leonard can be an elite shot-blocker in the NBA. He also has a nice little right-handed hook shot and a decent mid-range jumper. He has the tools to be a complete center. 

The problem is he is not strong enough for the NBA yet. He is going to get pushed all over the place when he enters the NBA paint, and he isn't going to be much use to anyone if he can't stay in the paint. He will be stuck on the bench until he adds some muscle. 

He could be adding that muscle in college while refining his game and developing a more complete offensive attack. 

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Why Rivers Will Regret Leaving Early

Austin Rivers came to Duke with a huge amount of fanfare and expectations. There were moments when he lived up to it all, and others when he came up short. 

While he revealed the potential to be a serious scorer, he also put his flaws on display. 

He is currently a man between positions. At 6'4" he is undersized for a shooting guard, and his ball-handling is not good enough to be a true point guard. 

This is going to make it extremely difficult for him to find a niche in the NBA. He should have returned to school and focused on improving his ball-handling while adding bulk. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State 

Sullinger's low-post scoring will be a nice addition to the Bucks talented backcourt duo. 

11. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Rockets have been trying to beef up their frontcourt all season. They will turn to the draft to do so. 

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones, SF, Baylor

Perry Jones is an exciting prospect. He has the height to play center at 6'11", but has the skills to play small forward. 

13. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Hornets must find a new point guard to replace the former face of the franchise, Chris Paul.

14. Phoenix Suns: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is raw, but he is athletic. He has a chance to become an Amar'e Stoudemire type of player. 

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Timberwolves need to bolster their backcourt. Waiters will be a nice fit. 

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston Rockets): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller should have no problem fitting in with Brook Lopez to give the Nets a promising frontcourt. 

17. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Ray Allen is in the last year of his deal and is unlikely to return. Ross will be a nice replacement. 

18. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Jrue Holiday is not a complete point guard. A combo of Marshall and Holiday would give the 76ers nice flexibility at the position.  

19. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is the kind of player George Karl loves. He is great on defense and in the open court. 

20. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones has a skill set that will allow him to fill the role currently occupied by Shawn Marion.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson is a talented player with big potential. He is a good value at No. 21.

22. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

Mitchell is a hard-nosed defender that will be a nice fit with the Pacers. 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

The Grizzlies have been dangling O.J. Mayo on the trade market for a while. Jenkins' arrival will make it easier for them to part with him.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo is just the kind of defender the Celtics love. 

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Cavs need to find someone that can score buckets from the small forward position. Taylor has that skill. 

26. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Orlando has to add shooting. Lamb will be a nice start. 

27. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

Tim Duncan can't play forever, can he? Jones will hope not after the Spurs draft him. 

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Heat have to find a solid answer at center. Ezeli is raw but has potential. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, SG, Washington

Why Wroten Will Regret Leaving Early

Tony Wroten has all of the physical tools to be a great point guard in the NBA. He has amazing size at 6'5" and he has the quickness to go with it. 

Wroten has excellent court vision, can penetrate the lane with his first-step quickness and he can be a lockdown defender. However, he needs more seasoning. 

He does not have an NBA-ready jump shot, makes reckless decisions, and the left-handed Wroten is terrible with his right hand. 

This is going to make it far too easy for NBA defenders to stay on Wroten's left because they don't have to worry about him shooting over him or going to his right. This is going to leave him relegated to the bench, when he should be in college refining these skills. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

Green is a tremendous all-around player, and the kind of defensive presence that will fit right in with Chicago.