2012 NBA Mock Draft: Overhyped College Stars Guaranteed to Disappoint

College success doesn't always mean NBA success. 

Sometimes, the skills that made certain players so dominant at the college level simply don't translate to professional basketball. 

And it happens every year, even if the draft class is as stacked as it is in 2012. 

In the following first-round mock draft, I'll take a closer look at the players who enjoyed immense success in college but will struggle to make an impact in the NBA.

Note: These players are in italics

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The Bobcats need a franchise-saver, and Davis is that guy.

He's still just 19 years old, but he has the length and athleticism to dominate the defensive end while he also has an improving outside offensive game. 

This is a no-brainer.

2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

This pick could go a number of different ways.

Outside of point guard, the Wizards could stand to improve at every position, so they'll simply take whoever is highest on their board.

After the workouts and combines are all said and done, I think Drummond's rare combination of size and athleticism will trump his lack of production at UConn.  

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Pairing Kidd-Gilchrist with Kyrie Irving will be way too hard to pass up for the Cavaliers.

Irving is already an incredibly efficient point guard, and putting him next to Kidd-Gilchrist, who simply does everything right and has a good nose for the game, is the right way to build a team.

The former Kentucky star needs to improve his shooting, but he can contribute in every other aspect of the game while he works on his shot. 

4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson isn't overly exciting, but his rebounding and ability to stretch the floor will be very enticing for the Hornets.

They need some consistency down low and Robinson will bring that right away.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Kings may need another big man, but I think they'll go with the best available here.

Additionally, drafting Beal, an all-around shooting guard, would allow Sacramento to shop the enigmatic Marcus Thornton.

Or, if they don't want to do that, they could bring Beal off the bench as a potential dominating sixth man. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Damian Lillard is going to benefit from Portland's eagerness to draft a point guard. The former Weber State star has received rave reviews about his recent workouts and will jump Kendall Marshall as the first point guard taken.

Still, I'm not convinced Lillard is a top-10 pick. 

At 6'3", 195 pounds, his size is really only fitting for a point guard, but his game is more shooting guard.

He dished out four assists per game during his junior season with the Wildcats, but his vision and ability to run an offense are far from what they need to be for an NBA point guard.

There's a chance Lillard makes a Russell Westbrook-type impact as a scoring point guard (he scored 24.5 points per game last year), but he hasn't faced elite competition and lacks the consistency from the outside.

Lillard will be able to score in the NBA, and he'll be a good player, but I doubt he'll justify a pick this high. 

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

He's going to end up as one of the best shooters from this draft, and with ideal NBA small forward size, he can contribute in many other ways.

He needs to find a way to create shots for himself, but with Stephen Curry running the point, he won't have to worry about that for a while.

This is a tremendous fit for both sides. 

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers can score in a variety of ways. He has a lightning quick crossover that allows him to get to the hoop and his range extends out very far.

Where he'll play is a bit of a question mark, but putting him next to pass-first point guard Jose Calderon would be a great fit. That would also allow Toronto to move DeMar DeRozan to small forward.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

People worry about Jones's motor and his willingness to give 100 percent, but there is no doubt his ridiculous size, length, and athleticism will get him drafted in the top 10.

He's boom or bust, but he has the potential to turn into a very dangerous small forward. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall lacks ideal athleticism, but his insane passing and vision will make everyone around him better.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

At seven-feet-tall, Zeller is fast and possesses good offensive skills for his size. The Blazers need a true center and the former UNC star is just that. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Lamb's lack of strength may be a concern, but 6'5" guards with a smooth offensive game and a 7'0" wingspan don't come along all that often.

Because of his ability to move off screens and shoot the mid-range jumper off the catch, he looks a lot like Richard Hamilton with the ability to contribute even more on defense. 

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Ross never looks like he's trying very hard, but he still manages to out-jump everyone in the gym and score with ease.

He can shoot off the dribble or off the catch and he has the skills to be a good defender.

The Suns need athleticism on the wing, and Ross brings just that.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Because Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby are far from the future centers in Houston, the Rockets will take a chance on Leonard, the best true center available. 

There's a reason why teams like this kid. He has budding talent on the offensive end and is long enough to disrupt shots on defense.

However, he is still a risky project in my mind.

He doesn't have the necessary strength to battle big centers down low, he isn't a great rebounder, and he lacks elite post skills.

His athleticism and jump shot make him more willing to stand around near the perimeter, and for a team looking for a true center, that will be disappointing.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

With Spencer Hawes likely gone to free agency and Elton Brand not getting any younger, the Sixers will draft a big man.

Sullinger was a top-five lock at this time last year, so this appears to be good value for Philly.

Not so fast.

Sully is going to be too unathletic to play against the quicker breed of NBA power forwards, but he's too small to play against center.

He has an old-school post game that he can score with on a consistent basis, but other than that, his below-the-rim game is scary to say the least. 

To me, he just screams Glen Davis, or at the very best, Luis Scola. 

Scola is a terrific player, but that's Sullinger's absolute ceiling. At pick No. 15, that is too big of a risk with too little of a reward. 

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Rockets are going to lose either Goran Dragic to free agency or Kyle Lowry to a trade, so drafting a guard, especially after taking Leonard, makes a lot of sense.

Waiters could end up being an absolute steal here, as his ability to provide instant offense has drawn comparisons to Dwyane Wade. 

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson's floor is an energetic, long, shot-blocker who comes off the bench for the Mavs.

His ceiling is a Serge Ibaka-type player who serves as a defensive beast while being able to knock down the mid-range jumper on the other end. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless needs to improve his jumpshot, but his athleticism and length make him awfully scary in every other facet of the game.

He's a scary-good defender (over a block and a steal per game), an efficient rebounder, and he's able to get to the hoop and score with consistency. 

The Big East Freshman of the Year is very reminiscent to Josh Smith. 

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

I feel like Miller should have stayed another year at Baylor, but he's an impressive player who can get inside and score in a variety of ways. 

The Magic need some youth on the wing, and he'll provide it. 

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

The Nuggets don't have many glaring needs, so they'll go with the best value here.

Jones is a top-15 pick in a lot of people's minds, so Denver will be happy to grab him with the 20th pick. 

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is starting to look like a steal if he drops this far. 

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, Moultrie's stock is rising. He's an athletic power forward who can run the court and score in bunches.

That's not exactly what Doc Rivers and Boston look for, but this is great value and he'll serve as a replacement for Kevin Garnett. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is the best pure shooter in this draft, and with Ray Allen nearing the end of his career, this would be the perfect pick for the Celtics. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Chad Ford believes White's stock is dropping because of his baggage, but I still love his game and think the Hawks will take a chance on him. 

He's the prototypical point-forward, and can truly do everything on the court.

The Hawks need a small forward, and White will be their man.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten is pretty much the definition of enigmatic.

His ability to both get to the hoop and find teammates that no one knows are open is absolutely tremendous.

Combine that with his unique size (6'5", 205 pounds) for a point guard, and Wroten has the skills to be the best point guard in the draft.

But his shooting is lowering his stock immensely. The young point guard couldn't make anything at Washington, and that makes him a risky pick.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Grizzlies need a backup point guard and Teague is the best available. 

John Calipari's point guards have had immense success in the NBA, and Teague should be no different, although he's a few years away from hitting his potential.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Doron Lamb is lights out from three-point range.

He is undersized and is going to struggle on defense, but the Pacers will simply utilize him as a role player, which is what he's meant to be. 

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Heat desperately need some more offensive big men, and Nicholson is just that.

He has a tremendous basketball IQ and can consistently step out and hit the jumper. Adding that to Miami's offense will make the Heat very good.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

The Thunder don't have any glaring needs, so they can take a project.

Fournier is a tremendous scorer, and will give OKC some much-needed depth off the bench, but it may take him another year overseas to be ready.

Oklahoma City can afford to wait for him.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Draymond Green was a stat-stuffer at Michigan State and can do anything on the court.

He's a high-character guy and will fit in with this Chicago Bulls team perfectly.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Mark Jackson is undoubtedly trying to help the defensive image of the Warriors, and Melo would do just that.

He's a bit of a head-case, and he's still raw on the offensive side of the ball, but there is no denying Melo's ability to defend the basket on the inside. 

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