NBA Draft 2012: Thomas Robinson and the Top NBA-Ready Prospects

With the 2012 NBA draft on June 28, it's time to get familiar with the players that you will see at the top of the draft board and on the court next season.

Players like Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were college stars, and will continue that dominance at the NBA level.

For the fans at home, all of the following lottery selections will walk right into the NBA and be instant success stories. Just hope that your team is lucky enough to grab one.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

No matter who gets the No. 2 overall pick this season, the player they will take is Kentucky star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The talented small forward would have been the No. 1 pick, if teammate Anthony Davis wasn’t coming out this season as well.

Kidd-Gilchrist needs to find a more consistent shot, but that’s where his weaknesses end. He has an incredible motor and a tenacious attitude that makes him a defensive beast. The team that snags MKG will have a serious weapon for a long time.

The Kentucky program has churned out one-and-done players like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins who were instant hits in the NBA, and Kidd-Gilchrist will be no different.

Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Of all the prospects I have watched film on this season, there is no better in my mind in terms of walking into the NBA than Kansas forward Thomas Robinson. This star will be a top-five pick and rookie of the year.

There is no need to add mass or strength to Robinson, who looks like he has already been in an NBA gym for months. The strong forward will walk onto any lottery team that takes him and win the starting job.

While he is still a bit raw offensively, his non-stop pace and incredible defensive and rebounding prowess will buy him time while he adjusts offensively to the NBA.

Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

While many scouts have been down on the size of Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, he has more than enough energy in his body to make up for any size disadvantage he will face in the NBA.

There may be no smarter basketball player in this first-round than Sullinger, but his IQ is only matched by his knack for rebounding and low-post offensive attacks.

As much as scouts have been concerned about Sullinger’s conditioning, the right team and the right leadership will have the young star in better condition by Game 1 of his first NBA season than he ever was at Ohio State.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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