2012 NBA Draft: 7 College Studs Destined to Flop in the NBA

Every year there are standouts in college basketball whose game simply does not translate to the NBA level, and this year is no exception. The NBA game is a much faster game than the college game, which is why many great college players fail to make an impact in the NBA.

College stars such as J.J. Redick, Jimmer Fredette, Shelden Williams, Juan Dixon, and Adam Morrison all failed to match their college success at the NBA level. All of the players on this list will have the same problems that those former college greats did when they entered the NBA. 

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Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger had an outstanding two-year career at Ohio State, but that does not mean that his game will translate to the pro level. Sullinger made a critical mistake by coming back to school for another year, as last year multiple mock drafts had Sullinger as a sure fire top five pick. This year, however, he is projected to get drafted between the 12th and 20th pick in mock drafts.

Sullinger is simply not athletic or big enough to be a starting power forward in the NBA. Although he does have several go-to post moves, he won't be able to execute them against taller, more athletic defenders. In addition, he is not athletic or big enough to guard most power forwards in the NBA. 

Sullinger was bothered frequently by taller, more athletic defenders while he was at Ohio State, and that wont change at the next level. Another obstacle for Sullinger are his lingering back issues, and only time will tell how much it will hold him back.

In the end, Sullinger will be a solid bench player in the NBA.

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers had a very good freshman season for the Duke Blue Devils, which made him a projected lottery pick. However, drafting Rivers in the lottery is a big reach. Rivers has almost all of the tools to be a very good shooting guard in the NBA for a long time, however mentally he is not prepared to be a successful professional basketball player.

Rivers often shoots too much, and has often been called a selfish player throughout his career at Duke. This mentality was fine in college, where he was the best player on the team, but in the NBA being selfish is not acceptable for non-superstar players. 

Although, Rivers has the athleticism to be a solid defender, he has not proven that he can be a solid defender in the future. Overall, another year at Duke would have served him well. However, Rivers will be a good sixth man at the next level.

Tyler Zeller

Tyler Zeller was a star at North Carolina over the past four years, but unfortunately he will not see nearly the same success in the NBA. Zeller has the size and skill to be an All-Star center in the NBA, however his athleticism and strength are going to prevent him from achieving all-star status.

Zeller is going to be a major liability on the defensive end in the NBA, which will limit his playing time. He simply is not strong or athletic enough to stop good NBA centers or power forwards. Eventually, I think Tyler Zeller's career will be similar to former North Carolina great, Tyler Hansborough's career.

Draymond Green

Draymond Green was an absolute beast last year for Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans. However, his game simply does not fit the NBA game.

Green is a very good all-around offensive player, but the real problem with his game is on the defensive end. At 6'8", Green is not tall enough to guard NBA power forwards, and he is too slow to guard NBA small forwards. His inability to guard a specific position will hurt his chances at becoming a good NBA player. 

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones was an under the radar star during his time at West Virginia. Jones averaged nearly 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Mountaineers in his senior season. However, his game simply doesn't fit the NBA style of play.

The real issue with Jones isn't his game, rather his size. He's 6'8", which is good size for a small forward, but not for a power forward. Jones also does not have the athleticism to make up for his lack of size. Jones' game doesn't match the small forward position, either. He doesn't shoot the ball from three particularly well, and doesn't have the quickness to guard small forwards at the next level. 

Jones will be an end of the bench player at the next level.

Robbie Hummel

Robbie Hummel had an injury-ridden five-year career at Purdue. However, when he was healthy enough to play, he dominated. Unfortunately, he will not have nearly the same success at the next level. 

Hummel has the ability to be an elite three-point shooter in the NBA, but his struggles on the defensive end of the floor will prevent him from seeing consistent minutes at the next level. Teams will realize that although he is a great shooter, his defense is too much of a liability to keep him on the floor. In addition, many teams are weary of drafting a player who has had two ACL surgeries.

In the end, Robbie Hummel will be an end of the bench player in the NBA.

Kris Joseph

Kris Joseph had an outstanding four years at Syracuse, leading the Orange in scoring during their 2011-2012 campaign. Unlike many of the other players on this list Joseph has the athleticism and size to exceed at the next level.

Where Joseph struggles is with his basketball IQ, which will hurt his chances of making an impact on a NBA team. Kris also struggles dribbling the ball in traffic, which is a flaw that will cause him to be a flop in the NBA.

In a few years Kris Joseph will either be on the end of a team's bench or in the D-League.