NBA Mock Draft 2012: Where Will Each College Hoops Star Go in the First Round?

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There is only one thing that is almost exciting as the NBA playoffs and that would be the NBA Draft. Although Anthony Davis is pretty much straight cash money to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick, who knows where all of the other college hoops stars will go in the first round?

There has been so much debate on who will land where in the lottery and the rest of the first round for that reason.

Read on to find out where each college hoops star will go in the first round. Put on your helmet because it's time to go mocking.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

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School: Kentucky

Position: PF/C

Points per game: 14.3

Rebounds per game: 10

Anthony Davis is the best player in the draft, simply put.

Davis is so good on defense that he could probably win the Rookie of the Year Award by averaging less than 10 points per game, but that is a different question for a different time.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

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School: Kentucky

Position: SF

Points Per Game: 11.8

Rebounds Per Game: 7.6

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has the whole package. He can shoot, dribble, pass and play defense.

MKG is probably the most well-rounded player in the draft, and the best part about him is the fact that he is not a selfish player. He can go, go, go.

Sounds like the No. 2 overall pick to me.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal

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School: Florida

Position: SG

Points Per Game: 14.8

Rebounds Per Game: 6.7

Bradley Beal and Kyrie Irving would make a very young and talented backcourt. Just imagine those two playing together in a couple of years.

Beal is the man when it comes to shooting the ball and rebounding. In fact, he is probably the best rebounding guard in the draft, which is saying a lot, considering how the depth of the 2012 NBA Draft.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson

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School: Kansas

Position: PF

Points Per Game: 17.7

Rebounds Per Game: 11.7

Thomas Robinson was in absolute beast mode in the NCAA Tournament, and he was a big reason that Kansas made it all the way to the NCAA Championship.

He has improved his offensive game tremendously since last season, and we all know he can rebound the ball.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond

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School: Connecticut

Position: C

Points Per Game: 10

Rebounds Per Game: 7.6

As it stands, Andre Drummond has the most potential for a center in the upcoming draft. If this was not true, he wouldn't be the first center going in pretty much every mock draft.

Drummond is pretty good on offense when he wants to be. He is also great on the boards and a nightmare on defense.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes

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School: North Carolina

Position: SF

Points Per Game: 17.1

Rebounds Per Game: 5.2

Many people regard Harrison Barnes as being overrated, but that is not going to affect his stock in the draft.

Barnes is a terrific shooter and can also get to the rim in a variety of ways. His 6'8'' height is also a plus, which makes him a force on the boards.

7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger

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School: Ohio State

Position: PF

Points Per Game: 17.5

Rebounds Per Game: 9.2

Jared Sullinger is a very physical and tough player, which gives him an advantage on both offense and defense.

People expected Sullinger to put up better numbers this past season, but you have to remember that he went up against the other team's big man on a nightly basis, and usually came out on top.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard

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School: Weber State

Position: PG/SG

Points Per Game: 24.5

Rebounds Per Game: 5.0

Damian Lillard is not only one of the most explosive guards in the draft, but one of the most explosive scorers overall. His 24.5 points per game is of proof of that.

Lillard did not play very tough competition at Weber State so it will be interesting to see how he transitions into the NBA.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III

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School: Baylor

Position: PF

Points Per Game: 13.5

Rebounds Per Game: 7.6

Perry Jones III has yet to hit his potential, which is pretty impressive considering his numbers last season.

Jones has the potential to average 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game, but that won't come unless he starts playing like his talent would suggest.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall

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School: North Carolina

Position: PG

Points Per Game: 8.1

Assists Per Game: 9.8

Kendall Marshall is easily the best passer in the draft and that's why he's likely to be taken here.

Once Marshall gets his offensive game going, he is going to be one of the best floor generals in the league.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller

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School: Tyler Zeller

Position: C

Points Per Game: 16.3

Rebounds Per Game: 9.6

Tyler Zeller would be an absolute steal at the No. 11 overall pick.

Zeller is the most productive big man in the draft, thanks to his post moves and mid-range jump shot.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard

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School: Illinois

Position: C

Points Per Game: 13.6

Rebounds Per Game: 8.2

Being a legitimate seven-footer is the main reason that Meyers Leonard is projected to go so high.

Don't get me wrong, he is great on defense and rebounding, but his offensive game needs some improvement.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers

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School: Duke

Position: SG/PG

Points Per Game: 15.5

Rebounds Per Game: 3.4

This may be a little too high for Austin Rivers, but the Phoenix Suns will need a point guard even if Steve Nash re-signs and retires in a few years.

Rivers mostly played at the shooting-guard position in college, but his great ball-handling skills would make him fit for a point guard.

The bottom line: Rivers is lights out from anywhere on the court.

14. Houston Rockets: John Henson

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School: North Carolina

Position: PF/C

Points Per Game: 13.7

Rebounds Per Game: 9.9

John Henson would be a great pickup for the Houston Rockets. He may not be a true center, but he is a beast on the boards and plays exceptional defense.

Henson also has a pretty good offensive game.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones

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School: Kentucky

Position: SF/PF

Points Per Game: 12.4

Rebounds Per Game: 7.2

Terrence Jones is one of the best players in the draft.

His numbers only dropped from his freshman season because Kentucky was completely stacked with talent this past year as he helped the Wildcats win the national championship.

16. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb

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School: Connecticut

Position: SG

Points Per Game: 17.7

Rebounds Per Game: 4.9

Jeremy Lamb is hard to pass up at this point in the draft.

He is a scoring machine, thanks to his amazing shooting. However, he must learn how to be more clutch at the next level by not disappearing when the game is on the line.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters

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School: Syracuse

Position: PG/SG

Points Per Game: 12.6

Assists Per Game: 2.5

Dion Waiters is one of the most athletic players in the draft, and you can bet that this helps him out a lot on offense.

Waiter does need to work on his shot though.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tony Wroten Jr.

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School: Washington

Position: PG/SG

Points Per Game: 16.0

Rebounds Per Game: 5.0

If an NBA team wants a guard who can score a lot of points, Tony Wroten Jr. is their man.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague

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School: Kentucky

Position: PG

Points per game: 9.4

Assists per game: 4.8

Marquis Teague has more potential than Jameer Nelson. However, Teague needs to learn how to limit turnovers.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross

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School: Washington

Position: SG/SF

Points Per Game: 16.4

Rebounds Per Game: 6.4

Terrence Ross needs to work on his shot selection, but he is still a great shooter, who has a great drive and can play defense.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller

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School: Baylor

Position: SF

Points Per Game: 10.6

Rebounds Per Game: 4.9

If Quincy Miller got more playing time last season, his numbers would be off the charts.

Miller is capable of scoring inside and outside.

22. Boston Celtics: Royce White

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School: Iowa State

Position: SF

Points Per Game: 13.4

Rebounds Per Game: 9.3

Royce White does not play like his position would suggest. He has great ball-handling skills and above average court vision.

From the sound of it, you would think he would be a point guard in averaging 5.1 assists per game.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor

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School: Vanderbilt

Position: SF

Points Per Game: 16.1

Rebounds Per Game: 5.6

Jeffery Taylor is a great defender, who can also score the basketball at a high rate. And that's not to mention his shot has improved over the years.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Arnett Moultrie

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School: Mississippi State

Position: PF/C

Points Per Game: 16.4

Rebounds Per Game: 10.5

Arnett Moultrie could use some more muscle at the next level.

This would make him that much better of a rebounder and would probably improve his offensive game as well.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless

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School: St. John's

Position: SG/SF

Points per game: 15.3

Rebounds per game: 8.6

Moe Harkless is a pretty good defender, and he obviously has no trouble in the rebounding department.

He would be a great pickup for any team.

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green

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School: Michigan State

Position: SF/PF

Points Per Game: 16.2

Rebounds Per Game: 10.6

Draymond Green plays with heart, and he is a leader on and off the court.

Green was amazing all season long, and he is pretty talented as well.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo

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School: Syracuse

Position: C

Points Per Game: 7.8

Rebounds Per Game: 5.8

Fab Melo would be perfect for the Miami Heat, because they need a big man that can play defense and rebound effectively. At the same time, they do not need their center taking too many of the Big 3's shots.

Melo would be perfect in South Beach.