NBA Draft Predictions: Highly Touted Prospects Who Will Slide on Draft Night

Thousands of projections are made for months before the NBA draft, but as always, the night of the draft will feature many surprises.

The worst kind of surprise for the player is when a top prospect continues to fall down draft boards as the first round progresses. Other teams start to wonder what the problem is as the camera continually shows the young man awkwardly waiting.

These players will have to be careful as they are the most likely to slide during the draft.

Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Projected by most as a top-five pick, Andre Drummond has all of the physical tools to be a solid player in the NBA. Unfortunately, his size and athleticism will not be enough to overcome his lack of skill at the professional level.

Drummond was often outworked for rebounds by smaller players in college and was rarely able to create his own shot. While these are certainly things that could be improved, he did not show the motor to succeed like fellow prospects Thomas Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Teams drafting this high do not want to make a mistake that could set them back for years. On draft day, these organizations might make a safer pick instead one with such high bust potential.

Austin Rivers, Duke

Teams always love players with pedigree, but Doc Rivers' son is too one-dimensional to be considered a potential top-10 selection.

Austin Rivers is good at getting to the basket, but does not have the size or shooting ability to be a full-time shooting guard. He is also not a good enough passer to play point guard. In addition, his defensive abilities are lacking.

For a young man once considered one of the best high school players in the country, his upside is too low for a lottery pick.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Although he was already headed for a slide due to an apparent issue with his back, Jared Sullinger could fall completely out of the first round.

The Ohio State forward put up great numbers in college and seemed destined to become a lottery pick, but teams should have already been wary about his lack of athleticism. Even with good post moves, it seemed unlikely he would have similar success at the professional level on either end of the floor.

Now, teams will not be willing to take a chance on Sullinger and provide guaranteed money to a player that might be out of the league in a few years.

He still has a chance to be a regular in a team's rotation, but his stock has taken quite a hit since the season ended.