2012 NBA Mock Draft: Is Harrison Barnes a Lock for the Top 5?

Harrison Barnes may well be one of the more prominent talents North Carolina has seen in quite some time, yet the talent boasted in the 2012 NBA Draft class may have him just outside the top-five.

The college basketball season is just through the midway point, as the 2012 NBA Draft talks now begin to emerge.

Barnes and other top-notch talents will be fighting to push their teams into the big dance and with strong seeding, as these promising stars will also look to only continue improving their game's to get higher up on the draft board.

Will Harrison Barnes crack the top-five? Is UCONN's Andre Drummond a lock at No. 1?

Here is the current mock draft of the entire first round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

No. 30: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Michigan State forward Draymond Green will be a first-round pick in spite of those that believe this is an undersized talent at just 6'7''.

In his senior season with the team his numbers have improved significantly, scoring 15.3 points and grabbing 10.4 rebounds per game.

Green's play has been vital for the success of the Spartans, who now are 17-4 on the season and the No. 10-ranked team in the nation.

NBA teams will be desperately looking for the type of talent that Green brings to the table on both ends of the floor in the paint.

No. 29: William Buford, Ohio State

William Buford is not only a sure first-round pick, but may have the potential to move up to a top-20 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft when it's all said and done.

Buford is averaging 15.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for his NCAA championship contending Buckeyes.

What makes his play more impressive is that when he gets major minutes, the increase in production is significant.

In his last 14 games, Buford has played at least 35 minutes on six occasions. In those six games, Buford has averaged 22 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Expect big things from this talent in the pros.

No. 28: Alex Young, IUPUI

Expected to be a SG in the NBA, Alex Young has proven that he is a versatile scoring threat that plays solid defense as well.

There isn't one thing that Young doesn't bring to the table.

Young has averaged over 20 points per game and six rebounds in his senior year with IUPUI.

No. 27: Kevin Jones, West Virginia

In his senior season with the West Virginia Mountaineers, Jones has been putting up numbers as solid as any forward in the nation.

Jones is averaging 20.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game this season. Both figures rank in the top-10 in the nation, with his 20.9 points ranking No. 9 and his 11.4 rebounds ranking No. 4.

Talk about impressive.

More so than the numbers, Jones is a player that has been a part of a winning program and has come up big in some of the more tough games for West Virginia this season.

Rest assured, the undersized forward will not pull a "Jordan Williams" and fail to translate his game to the NBA.

No. 26: Patric Young, Florida

With increased minutes and more experience playing college ball, Young has shown he will put together quite the NBA career and should be on his way out after his sophomore season.

Young is a major defensive threat that can score the ball much better than he had his freshman season. After averaging just 3.4 points per game his first year, Young is up to 11.4 this season with the Gators.

The 6'9'' forward will be a solid low-post defender in the league that is slightly undersized, much like a "Big Baby" in Orlando or Brandon Bass in Boston.

No. 25: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The beast out of Brazil boasts his No. 51 proudly this season, as his Syracuse Orange continue to dominate the competition and currently rank as the No. 2 team in the nation.

Melo has provided a presence in the paint for these Orange that has given the team a chance to do major damage in this year's NCAA tournament.

Melo not only has the coolest name on the mock draft board, but at 7'0'' he will be a big-time asset for any team in the league to have at the center position. This season Melo is averaging three blocks per game, as he is the No. 13 shot-blocker in the country on the year.

No. 24: Mason Plumlee, Duke

Coach K has to be in awe with the amount of quality minutes Mason Plumlee has given him this season. Plumlee continues to improve on both ends of the floor and is developing a wide array of post moves in the paint.

Plumlee averages 12 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in just 29 minutes a contest. Talk about impressive.

If Plumlee continues to make strides this season and improve his game further, certainly expect the solid power forward to find himself taken in the first-round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

No. 23: Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri

The 6'8'' forward out of Mizzou is not only talented, but has the potential to do great things in the NBA upon being selected in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Ratliffe is an athletic, especially quick forward that knows how to score with the basketball and does so well. His 14.8 points per game are an increase of 4.2 points from last season, and in just 25.5 minutes per game.

Ratliffe is a sure-fire first-round pick and will likely crack the top-20.

No.22: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Dion Waiters might as well do himself a favor and "wait" at least another season before entering the 2012 NBA Draft. Yet if one thing is for certain, Waiters is quite the player and will turn out to be a fine NBA talent.

Waiters is better off waiting a year because he is a sophomore that has improved tremendously since his freshman year and will only continue to improve under his experienced head coach.

Waiters will undoubtedly be taken in the top-25, but there has to be a fair share of concern that an early departure from the Orange might take a hit on his potential in the NBA.

No. 21: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins can flat out score with the basketball, and is arguably the most promising scorer this 2012 NBA Draft class has to offer.

The junior out of Vanderbilt is a smaller shooting guard at 6'4'', yet has the potential to be a major scoring threat in the league. This season his 20 points per game rank No. 14 in the nation.

Expect Jenkins to get some top-15 consideration come draft time if his play continues to improve over the course of the season.

No. 20: Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies

Assuming the Huskies SG leaves for the NBA after his freshman season, Wroten will easily be a top-20 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

The freshman has gotten off to a sensational start this season, averaging over 17 points per game and making it look easy. Wroten shoots just over 48 percent from the field and has attempted 272 shots on the year.

There is no question his scoring ability is among the best in the draft class, as Wroten will get various looks from NBA teams if he is to enter the draft.

No. 19: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Much like Wroten, Damian Lillard is a profound scoring threat that has made defenses look silly this season.

His 24.4 points per game are the best in Division I college basketball, as he has also shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range, and just over 90 percent from the free-throw line while doing so.

Talk about performing at an outright dominant level.

He has been held to under 20 points in just six of the team's games this season and will look to continue his dominance as the season continues. Make no mistake about it, Lillard is the real deal.

No. 18: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

A trademark John Calipari recruit, Teague is a ridiculously athletic, raw talent that has every bit of potential to make noise in the NBA.

Teague gets his solid ranking on the draft board for the tremendous upside that this player boasts, as he has the ability to play solid basketball as a point guard in the NBA.

Unlike John Wall, Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, Teague is not a score-first point guard but still has a special dominance at the position. Expect big things from Teague in the pros.

No. 17: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson will be the fourth of four North Carolina Tar Heels taken in the first-round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Henson not only boasts solid athleticism and special size and length underneath, but also has had the production to back up the build. This season Henson is up to 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

The 6'11'' junior comes from a top-notch program where there is no shortage of winning, as Henson will be a big-time asset for any NBA team with his ability to help one of the better teams in the country win basketball games.

No. 16: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Back-to-back Tar Heel selections? No doubt.

A senior with the Tar Heels, Tyler Zeller is an offensive machine that has developed his game tremendously in his four years with the team. The seven-footer is especially coordinated and sound with his movement on both ends of the floor, boasting a bit of a more complete offensive game than defensive.

This season Zeller averaged just over 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in just over 26 minutes per game.

No. 15: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Unlike other top-notch Calipari recruits, Lamb is playing in his second season with the Kentucky Wildcats.

This season Lamb has put up solid numbers, averaging 13.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Lamb is an especially sound jump-shooter that isn't afraid to take the ball to the rack. Defensively he is one of the premier guards in the backcourt rotation for coach Calipari.

With his sophomore season soon to be under his belt, Lamb has proven his worth and significant potential to do damage at the next level.

No. 14: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Terrence Jones may be just a sophomore, yet there is still every reason to believe this 6'9'' forward has what it takes to make a significant impact in the NBA.

Jones is a defensive monster that can score the ball fairly well and consistently on the offensive end. His blocks are up to 2.1 a game and his steals up to 1.3 per game this season.

An outstanding defensive talent, Jones is undoubtedly a top-15 selection.

No. 13: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

In one of the tougher conferences in college basketball, Leonard has been just short of sensational for his Fighting Illini this season.

The 7'1'' center is averaging 13.4 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game in his second season with the team.

Leonard may well creep his way up into the top-10 selections of the 2012 NBA Draft, as he is easily the most coordinated, talented center this draft has to offer.

No. 12: Perry Jones III, Baylor

The Baylor Bears are off to arguably their strongest start in team history, and Jones has been a significant part of the remarkable run.

The 6'11'' forward has the potential to be solid in the NBA, as he boasts significant length and a knack for bringing in rebounds. This season, Jones is averaging 7.9 boards to go along with 14.7 points per game.

No. 11: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi

This 6'11'' power forward is a beast on the boards and boasts some of the better all-around talent of any power forward in this 2012 class.

Moultrie is producing mind-boggling numbers this season with the Bulldogs, averaging 16.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in his junior season with the team.

The transfer from UTEP is NBA-ready and could well be the one forward that will make his impact felt immediately in the league of the several to be taken in the first round.

No. 10: Bradley Beal, Florida

The Florida Gators are one of the deeper, stronger teams in the country and have had quite the successful start to the 2011-2012 campaign.

Bradley Beal may be exactly the reason this team is off to such a promising year.

The freshman guard is averaging an impressive 14.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season. Bradley is a stronger guard that is listed at 6'3''.

No. 9: Austin Rivers, Duke

Although Austin Rivers isn't the strongest of guards, he certainly may be the most talented player expected to enter the 2012 NBA Draft.

The top prospect has shown that he is a fearless scorer, a clutch player in the second half of games, and a solid defensive player that will only continue to improve with more strength training in the future.

The freshman sensation leads Duke with 14.1 points scored per game and has come up big for this team when they have needed it most in late-game situations.

With as much promise as Rivers brings in the scoring department, it will be hard for even the first eight teams in the 2012 NBA Draft to turn their heads and go with another prospect.

No. 8: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall has a game that defines what it is to play the point guard position to the fullest.

It may be a bold statement, but Marshall has every bit of ability to be one of the better points guards in the NBA. His patience with the basketball and precise passes are unmatched by nearly every point guard in the college game.

Regardless of the plethora of talent surrounding him, the fluidity that Marshall brings to the court is simply a pleasure to watch. His 9.7 assists per game are the second-most in the nation.

No. 7: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

The first-round draft picks continue to pile up for Kentucky, as there is no question Kidd-Gilchrist finds himself being taken in the top-10 selections of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Gilchrist averages 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Wildcats this season. This solid forward has steadily improved at the defensive end in his freshman season and only looks to be continuing his improvements as the season progresses.

Make no mistake about it, Gilchrist comes into this NBA Draft as the real deal.

No. 6: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Junior Thomas Robinson has evolved his game dramatically in three seasons with the team, as Robinson is now averaging 17.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season for the Jayhawks.

Robinson is the anchor of arguably the best team in college basketball, as his ability to produce big-time numbers and lead the nation's best team this year has to be a promising sign for Thomas in the 2012 NBA Draft.

There is no doubt that if Robinson is to enter the draft, he is a lock as a top-7 pick in 2012.

No. 5: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

And there you have it, he has cracked the top-five.

Harrison Barnes is a 6'8'' sophomore that has plenty of promise in the NBA. With the Tar Heels, the top-notch forward averages 17.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Barnes is a strong offensive threat that can score with the basketball both in the post and off the dribble.

The talent that this young player possesses will translate well and immediately in the pros, as his draft stock in the 2012 NBA Draft will only continue to grow.

No. 4: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Some may argue that Jared Sullinger has what it takes to be taken as the No. 1 selection in the 2012 NBA Draft.

That's just how good this talent is.

Sullinger is the leader of his Ohio State Buckeyes, who do not put forth nearly the same type of quality basketball that they do when Sullinger is on the court.

This season the big man is averaging 17.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, numbers that have been solid enough to have his Buckeyes at  No. 3 in the nation.

Sullinger is a top-notch prospect that has every bit of an ability to make an impact in the NBA with both his defense and dominant scoring ability.

No. 3: Andre Drummond, UCONN

Andre Drummond is hands-down the most feared big in the country, and is easily the most talented freshman that could well enter the 2012 NBA Draft.

Drummond has been a monster defensively for the Huskies, putting up nearly eight rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He is a player that has a major height advantage against most defenders in the post and can match up defensively against just about any big in the nation.

His 6'10'', 270 pound frame makes him all the more promising a prospect in this year's NBA Draft. Expect big things from the freshman stud out of UCONN at the next level.

No. 2: Jeremy Lamb, UCONN

After showing glimpses of stardom playing alongside Kemba Walker, Lamb has now shown this season just why he will be a promising talent in the NBA.

In his sophomore season, Lamb is averaging 17.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He has proven to be a promising scoring option that has every bit of athletic ability to translate this to the NBA.

With UCONN boasting two of the top-three picks, fully expect teams to jump on a player like Lamb. He not only has the numbers to prove it, but also an NCAA championship under his belt. He is a winner and continues to have his Huskies winning games this season.

No. 1: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Talk about a beast.

Despite the hype surrounding Andre Drummond being the likely No. 1 pick, there is no question that Anthony Davis gets the nod here for the top spot in this 2012 NBA mock draft.

Davis has done it all for Calipari and his Wildcats this season, averaging 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and a whopping 4.6 blocks a game. Notorious for his appearances on ESPN with his tremendous blocked shots, Davis has taken the nation by storm this season.

The nation's leading shot blocker may only be a freshman, but there is no doubt that the top-two lock will find his way to a promising NBA career soon enough.