2012 NBA Mock Draft: College Stars Who Will Become Outstanding Role Players

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger was a superstar in college, averaging nearly a double-double during his two seasons with the Buckeyes. 

Now, though, Sullinger will be faced with the difficult challenge of transitioning from college superstar to NBA role player, something that is within reach for the 6'9" power forward.

Sullinger is not alone in his quest to become an outstanding NBA role player, though. Here is my latest 2012 NBA Mock Draft, highlighting college stars who will become solid NBA role players.

*2012 NBA draft order courtesy of NBA.com.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

This is a no-brainer for the Hornets at No. 1. Anthony Davis is the one player available this summer who is capable of turning a franchise around. 

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

The Bobcats could go in a number of directions with the No. 2 pick, considering that Davis will be off the board, but the most logical move is to take Davis' energetic Kentucky teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. 

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, Florida 

Florida's Bradley Beal has been touted as a potential top-five pick since he came out of high school last year.

The Wizards could form one of the league's most athletic backcourts by pairing him with point guard John Wall. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Cleveland will certainly love the size and strength that Kansas' Thomas Robinson brings to the equation. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

There are tons of question marks about Andre Drummond after his underachieving freshman season with Connecticut. Above all, he must get better from the foul line (29.5 percent last season with the Huskies) and prove that he wants to be out on the floor . 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, Weber State

After the Raymond Felton experiment flopped in Portland, the Trail Blazers will be calling upon the 2012 draft class' top point guard, Damian Lillard, to turn them around next season. 

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina 

Harrison Barnes will be under heavy pressure in his early years as a pro after entering college with so much hype a few years back. Barnes looked lost at time during the 2012 NCAA Tournament, but his potential to become a great NBA role player is very alive.

Barnes has superb size for the small-forward position and even reminds me of a better Marvin Williams.

Williams has become a valuable piece for the Atlanta Hawks as an outside shooter and big body who can defend perimeter players. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters, Syracuse 

Dion Waiters' lack of significant playing time at Syracuse may turn into a potential red flag for teams considering drafting him, but the way he attacks the rim makes him a worthy lottery choice. 

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina 

UNC's John Henson has length for days and the ability to become a unique defensive presence for the Detroit Pistons as they make their way back into contention in the Eastern Conference. 

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

With Anthony Davis already on board, New Orleans can complete a brilliant first round by picking up assist-man Kendall Marshall, who, if not the best passing point guard out there this summer, is certainly among them. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Portland traded Gerald Wallace last season, and that should open things up for Terrence Jones on the Trail Blazers roster.

If Portland secures a point guard with the No. 6 pick, they can take a bit more of a risk at No. 11. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

After trading away the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 draft, Andrew Bogut, the Bucks are in need of some size and a low-post presence. Jared Sullinger has the potential to fill that need for Milwaukee, but even if he doesn't average 20 and 10 as a pro, he can still be an outstanding role player for the Bucks. 

Sullinger is a bit undersized by NBA measures, but his vast array of moves in the paint and knack for rebounding the basketball cannot be denied. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb has the athleticism and wingspan to become an NBA star, but somehow it's hard to see him living up to the hype that UConn's 2011 NCAA Tournament run created.

Still, Lamb can become a supreme NBA role player as a shooting guard with range who can also play perimeter defense rather consistently. 

Lamb could bring a bit of backcourt scoring to Phoenix, as well as some defense, to go alongside of the defensive-minded Jared Dudley.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie skipped the draft combine, which may have turned some teams off to him, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a lottery talent with rare shooting range for a 6'11" power forward fresh out of college.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller is the best senior available this summer, and his floor-running ability is something that will surely catch the eye of Philadelphia. 

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Ross, Washington 

Washington's Terrence Ross has become a hot target as of late, and many feel he could go as early as the lottery, depending on how the chips fall.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Quincy Miller, Baylor 

Watching the Dallas Mavericks in this year's playoffs made it painfully clear that the Mavs need to get younger and more athletic.

Enter Baylor's 6'9" Quincy Miller. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Austin Rivers, Duke

I'm sure the T-Wolves would love to have Washington's Terrence Ross at No. 18, but assuming he's off the board, they could very well go for Duke's offensive-minded guard Austin Rivers. 

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

With Dwight Howard's future up in the air, Orlando has no choice but to jump on Illinois' Meyers Leonard, whose stock is rising rapidly as the draft approaches. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Perry Jones III, Baylor 

Not that everyone would consider Baylor's Perry Jones III a college star, but the hype surrounding his upside makes him worthy of consideration.

Jones doesn't look to be motivated enough to make the NBA his world, but he has role player written all over him.

The 6'11" power forward can do virtually anything on the basketball court, which makes him a valuable piece. The Denver Nuggets would put Jones to good use as a sixth man off the bench, someone who could help out on the glass and present matchup nightmares on the offensive end. 

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Many scouts and experts have likened St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson to the poor man's David West. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

I've had the Boston Celtics taking Royce White since the 2012 NCAA Tournament came to an end more than two months ago.

If any coach get the most out of White, it's Doc Rivers. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

Unless Jeff Teague is the long-term answer for Atlanta at point guard—which doesn't seem likely—the Hawks will need to try out Washington's Tony Wroten Jr. in the offense to see what kind of difference size and athleticism make. 

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

Few have really seen Moe Harkless play, but that doesn't mean he isn't worthy of the first round. Harkless is an extraordinary athlete whose stock is on the rise after an impressive performance at this summer's NBA draft combine. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Doron Lamb could provide the Memphis Grizzlies with a deep threat. Lamb shot better than 46 percent from beyond the arc last season with the Wildcats and can stretch the floor for Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol next season. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Evan Fournier, France

The best European player available this summer is France's Evan Fournier, a 6'7" shooting guard who is unlikely to make an impact next season, as he will likely be kept on hold across the pond for a year. 

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Fab Melo would be a wonderful pickup for the Miami Heat, who lack a playmaking point guard and a legitimate shot-blocking threat at the rim other than the master of the chase-down block, LeBron James

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Draymond Green has a game similar to that of James Harden. Sure, Green doesn't have the outside shooting that Harden does, but he will have a great shot at transitioning from college star to NBA role player if he is picked up by a solid team like the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Green was a dominant rebounder, a quality ball-handler, an exceptional passer and superb scorer during his time with the Spartans.

Green is a late-first-round talent with outstanding role-player potential. 

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins is a perfect fit in Chicago's system. Jenkins has a quick release and a deadly-accurate jump shot from deep. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Scott Machado, Iona

Iona's Scott Machado is a phenomenal passer and would get a chance to learn from one of the best to ever play the point-guard position in second-year head coach Mark Jackson.

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