30 forgotten college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA

Whatever happened to these 30 college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA?

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 30: Nik Stauskas #11 of the Michigan Wolverines dunks the ball over Dominique Hawkins #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the midwest regional final of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2014, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

21. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Nik Stauskas

While Beasley and Mayo were one-and-done stars in college, Nik Stauskas took a more traditional path to stardom. Stauskas played at Michigan for two years, improving significantly to the point where he was the team’s best player as a sophomore.

That season saw Stauskas become the Big Ten’s Player of the Year, averaging 17.5 points per game while knocking down 44.2 percent of his three-point attempts. A true offensive force, Stauskas appeared to be a lock to succeed at the NBA level as the explosion of the three-point shot seemed like a perfect fit for his game.

Stauskas was taken with the eighth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2014 NBA draft, a move that may have doomed him since the Kings have been a dysfunctional franchise for a while now. Sacramento gave up on Stauskas after just one year, dealing him to Philadelphia, where he was stranded as part of The Process 76ers.

A series of unfortunate moves saw Stauskas wash out of the league by 2019, leading to a move overseas. Stauskas certainly had the potential to develop into a strong NBA player but his failure is a cautionary tale when it comes to the development of young prospects.