Fansided

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

By Mike Phillips

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)
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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(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

14. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The most unique aspect of the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats was their reliance on dominant freshmen to be the core of a national championship team. Anthony Davis was the headliner and went on to become one of the best players in the NBA but Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played the role of Robin to Davis’ Batman to great effect.

Kidd-Gilchrist drew the attention of scouts due to his incredible length and athleticism, making him a prime candidate to be a dominant wing in the modern NBA. Those traits helped Kidd-Gilchrist end up being taken second overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, going just after Davis to the Charlotte Bobcats.

All of the potential that Kidd-Gilchrist flashed in college never really translated to the pros on the offensive end. Kidd-Gilchrist was never able to develop as a jump shooter, limiting his offensive ability and making it hard for Charlotte to build threatening lineups when Kidd-Gilchrist could be effectively ignored by opposing defenses.

The Hornets gave Kidd-Gilchrist plenty of chances to succeed before phasing him out of their lineup towards the end of the decade. Kidd-Gilchrist is currently out of the league after being waived by the New York Knicks last fall but even if he does resurface it will likely be as a rotational player, not the superstar Charlotte thought they were getting in the draft.