NBA Draft 2012: College Studs Guaranteed to Be NBA Stars

With the NBA Draft looming, many young collegiate basketball players await their fate and pray to hear their name called in the June draft.

Although there is a lot of young talent coming out of college basketball in this year's draft, not everyone is guaranteed success.  I have compiled a list of some of the best athletes in the draft that will have the most success transitioning to the NBA.  They may be young, but they've got the talent.

Anthony Davis

This was an easy pick.  Anthony Davis is a flat-out monster in the paint. 

He is going to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft and the team that lands this 6'10" shot-blocker from Kentucky will have success for years to come.

Coming out of college after his freshman year, Davis averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and almost five blocks a game.  Those are big-time NBA talent numbers.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the great Kentucky freshmen to leave college early for the draft.  He has a good small forward's body at 6'7", 230 pounds and is expected to deliver on the next level.

Many people have very high expectations for the young athlete, some even comparing him to LeBron James. 

The young Kentucky star averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last season and put himself in line to be a top five draft pick.  He fits well in any system and will be an All-Star in a few years.

Andre Drummond

The big man from Connecticut burst onto the scene in the 2011-2012 season and became a force to be reckoned with in the Big East.

Entering the draft after only one year of college can be a risk for a lot of young athletes, but Drummond has the tools to make a smooth transition at the next level.  He averaged 10 points to go with nearly eight rebounds and three blocks per game in his freshman year.

Although Drummond will have to improve on his dreadful sub-30 free-throw percentage, he will prove himself as a solid big man in the NBA and be a major contender for Rookie of the Year.

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes was highly touted in the preseason for the Tar Heels and was projected to win college basketball's Player of the Year.  Though that honor eventually went to Davis, Barnes did not disappoint.

The 6'8" forward averaged 17 points and five rebounds a game for North Carolina last season and led the Tar Heels to the Elite Eight as a sophomore.

Barnes has the length and talent to be a solid NBA player, and his ability to take over games will make him a great addition to any team with a lottery pick.

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers was the top prospect in the country coming into his freshman year at Duke.  You could say he was highly touted.

He did not disappoint in his freshman season averaging just over 15 points, three rebounds and two assists per game for the Blue Devils.  He could improve on his shooting and ability to find the open man, but he has the potential to reach greatness.

Being the son of Boston Celtic coach Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers has been around basketball for his entire life.  He was destined for the NBA and he won't let his talent go to waste.  Rivers promises to be one of the best players in the draft and will be a solid sixth man for any team looking for an athletic shooting guard.

Sleeper Pick: Royce White

Royce White is my sleeper pick because of his potential.  He is expected to be a late first-round pick at the earliest, but he has a skill set that not many players possess.

White transferred from Minnesota to Iowa State and played in his first year of eligibility last season.  The 6'8" forward showcased his full potential, often bringing the ball up the floor like a point guard; the Cyclones had a lot of faith in his ball handling skills and scoring ability.

White can rebound, score and even pass for a big man.  He averaged nearly 10 rebounds, 13 points and five assists per game as a sophomore for Iowa State.  He will be a strong bench player for a solid NBA team next season or possibly a sixth man for a lower-tier team if drafted early in the second round.