Re-grading the top 10 picks of the 2012 NBA Draft

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: (L-R) Anthony Davis, head coach John Calipari and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of the Kentucky Wildcats pose 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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Jun 1, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers (25) reacts following his points scored in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers during game five in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Grading the top 10 picks of the 2012 NBA Draft: 10. Austin Rivers – C

To cap off the top 10 from the 2012 NBA Draft, we have Austin Rivers, who was one of the more prolific high school players of recent memory. It’s just too bad his high school play didn’t translate to the NBA.

This isn’t to say that Rivers hasn’t been a solid NBA player, it’s just that when you compare his high school tape, it shows the potential he had in the NBA (which for the most part, he hasn’t lived up to).

Anyways, thus far in Rivers’ career, he has averaged 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from three. While these numbers are certainly not ideal, Rivers has had many exciting moments throughout his NBA career, such as in 2017 when he averaged around 15 points a night.

Rivers has had a very up-and-down NBA career, and while he has certainly turned out better than some of the other players picked in the top 10, he has still not had the most ideal career for being selected 10th overall in the draft.

However, it is better to select a very solid role player than a player who is already out of the league, as can be seen with some of the other selections. So Rivers rounds out the top 10 with a C.

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