2012 NBA Mock Draft: Major College Stars Who Won't Live Up to Hype

College means nothing.

The first round of the 2012 NBA draft will be flooded with prospects that recorded impressive numbers at the college ranks. Too bad those statistics won’t translate to the next level. Here’s an updated mock highlighting college stars that won’t live up to the hype in the pros.

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

Charlotte is the worst team in the league and Davis is the best player in the draft—perfect match.

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

Washington needs a new three because Chris Singleton is nothing but a role player and Rashard Lewis is worthless.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal (SG, Florida)

Anthony Parker is a free agent, not that the Cavs don’t need to replace him regardless.

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

Jason Smith is the worst starting power forward in the NBA and needs benched for an upgrade immediately.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond (C, UConn)

Sacramento’s only need in its starting five is at the center position next to DeMarcus Cousins.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones (PF, Baylor)

Portland needs a starting-caliber power forward next to LaMarcus Aldridge, who’s better off at center.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes (SF, UNC)

Barnes averaged 17.1 points per game as the go-to guy on the Tar Heels. While he put up solid numbers, he didn’t rise to the level that scouts expected him to. Barnes began the season as a candidate to go first overall, but he never reached that elite level.

Playing at North Carolina, he received plenty of hype over his two-year career. In the NBA, though, that hype will cease as his failure to live up to expectations continue. Golden State would love to upgrade at the small forward spot, but Barnes is too passive and one-dimensional to succeed in the league.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard (PG, Weber St.)

Jose Calderon is getting up there in age and is an amnesty candidate, so the Raptors need to find their point guard of the future.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger (PF, Ohio St.)

Jason Maxiell won’t be of any value by the time the Pistons return to the playoffs so they need a power forward with promise.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Dion Waiters (SG, Syracuse)

If Eric Gordon leaves in free agency this offseason, New Orleans will be desperate for scoring on the wing.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall (PG, UNC)

Portland needs another upgrade at the point guard position after Andre Miller and Raymond Felton failed to work out.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller (C, UNC)

With the defensively challenged backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Milwaukee can’t win without a true center.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb (SG, UConn)

With no point guard worthy of being selected, Phoenix should just select the best available player because it doesn’t have much anywhere besides at center.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross (SG, Washington)

Kevin Martin is a free agent next summer, and with his plummeting production, Houston must identify a replacement.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones (PF, Kentucky)

Philly is desperate for frontcourt depth as well as any kind of offensive spark.

16. Houston Rockets: John Henson (PF, UNC)

Luis Scola won’t be effective much longer and Patrick Patterson isn’t a starting-caliber power forward.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers (SG, Duke)

Jason Terry needs replaced and Rivers packs the scoring punch to step into that role right away.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Quincy Miller (SF, Baylor)

A shooting guard would be ideal, but the Timberwolves need all the help on the wings they can get.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard (C, Illinois)

Dwight Howard is as good as gone so there isn’t any reason why the Magic should pass on a potential starting center.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, Jr. (PG, Washington)

Andre Miller is a free agent so the Nuggets' greatest need is for a quality backup to Ty Lawson.

21. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie (PF, Mississippi St.)

Brandon Bass is a solid player, but his length is a liability on the defensive so the Celtics need to add a tall backup.

22. Boston Celtics: Jeff Taylor (SF, Vanderbilt)

Paul Pierce can’t play forever and the explosive Taylor wouldn’t be a poor replacement.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White (SF, Iowa St.)

Royce White finished the 2011-2012 campaign as strong as anyone in college basketball. He followed three straight double-doubles against Baylor, Texas and UConn with a 23-point, nine-board effort against Kentucky. While White is talented, he has way too many red flags to pan out.

Having a fear of flying and anxiety disorder is never a good combination. Throw in the fact that he has off-the-court issues and White is a prospect that teams should shy away from selecting. He’ll struggle to make it in the league.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo (C, Syracuse)

Cleveland doesn’t have a true center on its roster and Melo would be an impactful defender right away.

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

Memphis has nothing behind Mike Conley—unless you consider Gilbert Arenas something.

26. Indiana Pacers: Will Barton (SG, Memphis)

Leandro Barbosa is a free agent and was a disappointment against the Heat.

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

Miami doesn’t have a capable low-post scorer on its second unit.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Moe Harkless (SF, St. John’s)

With no big man available, OKC might as well take the best player available.

29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier (SG, France)

Derek Rose won’t be 100 percent healthy by next season so the Bulls should be patient enough to wait for Fournier to develop.

30. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green (SF, Michigan St.)

Green was a stud with the Spartans. Leading Tom Izzo’s crew, he did it all, averaging 16.1 points, 10.4 boards and 3.6 assists per game. While he’s a versatile offensive performer and his basketball IQ is through the roof, he isn’t physically gifted enough to be a starter in the NBA.

Expect Green to develop into a solid role player off the bench, but he’s far too short at 6’6” to start at power forward and far too slow at 230 pounds to start at small forward. He’d be a liability at each position.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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