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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ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 29: Ben McLemore #23 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts in the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks during the South Regional Semifinal round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 29, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

27. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Ben McLemore

Let’s go back to Lawrence with a look at another Kansas star who never lived up to the hype as a pro. Ben McLemore came out of nowhere to dominate for the Jayhawks as a redshirt freshman, averaging 15.9 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor, a performance that helped McLemore become a Second-Team All-American.

That offensive explosion helped McLemore raise his draft stock to the point where he was guaranteed to become a lottery pick, making a move to the NBA a no-brainer. McLemore was taken seventh overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, who thought they were getting a star guard to add to their backcourt.

The NBA was a big adjustment for McLemore, who put up modest numbers for the Kings but never made the leap to stardom. McLemore ended up peaking in his second year when he started all 82 games for the Kings but averaged just 12.1 points per game on 43.7 percent shooting.

Sacramento gave up on McLemore after his rookie deal was up, starting a phase of his career where McLemore turned into a role player. McLemore is still in the league and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers but few pundits expected him to struggle to score as much as he has after that stellar collegiate performance.