It is working out remarkably well for Michigan point guard Trey Burke. Instead of sitting on an NBA bench as a rookie, he returned to school and has, in heroic fashion, led the Wolverines to the Final Four.
In the process, his NBA stock has risen dramatically - from late first-round if he had entered following his freshman year to a possible Top 5 selection this year.

Trey Burke (left): Athleticism not an issue

It's about height. Burke is quick enough, savvy enough and shoots well enough to star in the NBA, but is he tall enough. Burke is generously listed at 6-0. There is no comparison between NBA players and college players. The Pistons' Brandon Knight looks small by NBA standards. He towers over Burke.
Late in the regular season, I wasn't sure. It did seem like Burk was hindered by Victor Oladipo's NBA combination of athleticism and length vs. Indiana. He did a great job defensively vs. 6-4 NBA prospect Nate Wolters of South Dakota State in the NCAA tournament opener, blocking a couple of his shots on drives. He struggled shooting that day, but it didn't seem to be as much about the 6-foot-4 Wolters' length as Burke just having an off shooting game. It was a moot point anyway because his floor game was so good.
I some similarities between Burke and Mateen Cleaves, who was athletic and displayed tremendous leadership qualities, albeit in a different way, as a college player at MSU.
As an NBA player, Cleaves struggled to defend
But I think there are two significant differences, too. Cleaves played through his senior year at MSU. He was good as a sophomore, but not like Burke. He could jump as well (Cleaves was a good dunker), but he didn't have nearly the same stop-and start-quickness. Burke is a much better shooter, too.
Chris Paul is a truly NBA player at Burke's size. Denver's Ty Lawson and Orlando's Jameer Nelson were small point guards, who starred in college, and were able to adjust well in the NBA.
It wouldn't surprise me if Burke is able to do the same.