10 College Players Who Could Make an Immediate Impact in the NBA

In today's NBA, scouts and general managers value college basketball players with great potential, but teams looking for instant production must identify prospects who are primed to shine immediately.

The Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes are loaded with NBA-ready talent, and it will be on full display come tourney time.

While several of this year's lottery prospects are prepared to perform right away, some of the most equipped ballers are late first-round or second-round picks.

Here is a rundown of 10 college players who could make an immediate impact in the NBA.

William Buford

Ohio State's William Buford has developed into an excellent outside shooter for the Buckeyes, and he has the fundamentals and athleticism to be a highly effective shooting guard once he turns pro. 

Buford is adept at shooting off the dribble or catch, and this has helped him become productive from mid-range and three-point range.

As for the rest of his game, it's not spectacular, but he's fundamental and capable in all areas. Buford has the length and quickness to defend NBA point guards and shooting guards.

His experience under Thad Motta at Ohio State has prepared him to be an instant contributor as a pro.

Robert Sacre

There's always a demand for prospects who are true centers with enough size, and Gonzaga's Robert Sacre fits that description.

Sacre uses his tall, sturdy frame to his advantage, as he's scoring 16.4 points per game and grabbing more than seven boards per game. What's more impressive is that he gets great position and draws plenty of fouls. Once he gets to the free-throw line, he's converting at a 79 percent clip.

He won't jump out of the gym, and probably won't be a dynamic NBA superstar, but he has what it takes to be a solid center. Sacre's stature and court awareness will translate into post production in the "Association."

Thomas Robinson

Since the Morris twins turned pro, Kansas Jayhawks forward Thomas Robinson has stepped up into a larger role on the team, and he hasn't disappointed. All signs point to him being a valuable forward in the NBA next year.

A 6'9" power forward with strength and quickness, Robinson is a powerful player who finishes plays aggressively. He also has the mobility to be a weapon in transition in the NBA. His outside shot and offensive skills are still a bit underdeveloped, but he gives his team great value by playing so hard on both ends.

Robinson's past two games were especially impressive: He scored 26 points and grabbed 11 boards against Long Beach State, then notched 21 points and seven rebounds against Ohio State. If he keeps that up, he'll surely be a lottery pick.

Khris Middleton

In his return from an MCL injury Saturday, Texas A&M swingman Khris Middleton showed the kind of scoring proficiency that has NBA scouts excited about next year.

Middleton scored 24 points in 28 minutes, and he displayed the ability to score from all areas of the court. He can operate effectively in almost any type of offense, which leads me to believe he will quickly mesh with the team that drafts him.

He could still use improvement on his ball-handling and strength, but he already has the tools to fill up the stat sheet. Middleton's superior mid-range skills and feel for the game will make him an instant contributor in the NBA.

Austin Rivers

Duke's fabulous freshman guard Austin Rivers has lived up to the high expectations everyone had for him, and he will soon take the ACC by storm.

When he turns pro, he will be a top-notch combo guard with all-pro skills. His body control, ball-handling and first step make it almost impossible for defenders to contain him. Rivers can penetrate and create for himself as well as dish the rock to open shooters.

He complements this playmaking ability with an NBA-ready jump shot. He shoots deep three-pointers with confidence, and this photo displays his excellent form, elevation and balance.

It might take him a little while to become a better facilitator at the next level, but he will make an impression right away with his electrifying assortment of skills.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is another elite talent in John Calipari's resume' of Kentucky recruits, and he's definitely worth getting excited about.

He's extremely difficult to guard, and he uses his body control and length to get to the rim. But I'm equally impressed by his play on the other end of the floor.

Gilchrist seems like he realizes the value of being a top-tier defender and being a factor on both ends of the floor. His intensity and awareness on defense is something you rarely see in a young blue-chip recruit these days.

Kentucky will make another Final Four appearance with his help, and next fall, a fortunate NBA franchise will reap the benefits of drafting him.

Harrison Barnes

North Carolina's Harrison Barnes is one of the best wing players in college hoops, and his skills will bring him immediate success as an NBA small forward.

After starting out of the gate slowly last year, he finished his freshman year strong and has continued that mastery into this season. His fluid jump shot and scoring ability has propelled him to 17.5 points per game and 52 percent shooting from long range.

Barnes needs to work on his left hand, and he has the work ethic and motivation to do it. He's a level-headed player who will stretch NBA defenses and rain jumpers when he goes pro.

Jared Sullinger

If you're an NBA general manager looking for a post player with exceptional fundamentals, footwork and post moves, look no further than Ohio State's Jared Sullinger.

Sullinger will produce from Day 1 because he knows how to use his body in the paint. He's not a standout athlete or physical specimen, but he's solid enough and can seal off defenders on pick and rolls and box-outs. NBADraft.net draws comparisons to Kevin Love.

The Buckeye bruiser finishes in traffic as well as anyone in the country, and can use the glass effectively.

Sullinger's work ethic, skills and leadership are elite, and that's what will make him an instant anchor for an NBA franchise.

Andre Drummond

One of the main reasons Connecticut Huskies freshman Andre Drummond will make an immediate impact is that he's extremely gifted physically.

His tall, 270-pound physique is complemented by tremendous leaping and mobility. Drummond will be effective both as a bruiser and as an agile finesse player. His shot and offensive repertoire are far from complete, but his positioning and passing ability are impressive for a young center.

Drummond's combination of size, explosiveness and great instincts make him an elite shot-blocker and rebounder. He will feast on put-backs, fast break dunks and size mismatches, and he'll be able to play both power forward or center in the NBA.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is still a teenager, but his presence will be felt as soon as he steps onto the NBA hardwood in the near future.

Once he's moved on from Kentucky, he will be a versatile power forward at the next level. His 7'4" wingspan, soft hands and athleticism will serve him well on both ends of the floor. Davis has the skills to score in the post and with his jump shot, and he will be a monster on the defensive end. 

He blocks shots by the handful and is an alley-oop waiting to happen on almost every possession. He will be a double-double threat as soon as he turns pro.

Davis needs to put more muscle on his frame and polish his offensive game if he wants to be an NBA superstar. But that doesn't mean he won't be a superb player right out of the gate.