2012 NBA Mock Draft: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and the Biggest Potential Playmakers

Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Duke point guard Austin Rivers are two fabulous college basketball players who will be play-making talents at the NBA level.

With the college basketball season a few months in, it's time to take a look at a complete first-round NBA Mock Draft.

This draft class is loaded with talent and five to 10 years from now we may look back at it and see as many as 10 legitimate stars from the first round.

Let's take a look at the first 30 picks.

1) Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF/C, Kentucky

Anthony Davis has a 7'4" wingspan and has great athleticism for a player who can succeed at power forward or center. Davis has immense talent but his skills still need to develop and be polished further.

The Bobcats need a franchise big man badly, so it would be surprising if they passed on Davis.

2) Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The Washington Wizards need much better defensive play from the center position and that's way drafting Andre Drummond from UConn is the best option for them.

Drummond is a strong player who can block shots and rebound well. His offense needs work but that is something he can work on in the NBA.

3) Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Toronto Raptors need a scoring talent that can take over games. Harrison Barnes from North Carolina is a player that can do that.

Barnes has a good mid-range jumper and can also take the ball to the basket well.

4) Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Sacramento Kings need a play-making star and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky is one of the most talented players in college basketball.

Kidd-Gilchrist can shoot well and he can finish at the rim either off the dribble or by moving well without the ball. He's a complete player and has few weaknesses in his overall game.

Defensively he also is solid, and he has the ability to be an elite perimeter defender at the NBA level.

5) Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Despite being under-sized for a power forward, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State is an exceptional player that can step right into the NBA and contribute at both ends of the floor.

You could argue he's the most NBA-ready player in college basketball, but he doesn't have the massive potential that the top prospects such as Drummond and Davis have.

6) New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Thomas Robinson's massive improvement this season has really given him a boost as a potential star in this draft class.

Robinson is a strong player who can score inside and play defense. His all-around ability would really help the Hornets.

7) Cleveland Cavaliers: Perry Jones, SF/PF, Baylor

Perry Jones is another "tweener" prospect that has immense talent but doesn't wow you in any facet of the game except athleticism.

His offensive game is good, and although it needs work, the potential Jones has is too immense to pass on in the top 10 of the draft.

8) New Jersey Nets: Brad Beal, SG, Florida

Brad Beal is a player that could excel with an athletic team like the New Jersey Nets. He also has the ability to be a tremendous outside shooter with three-point shooting.

He also is a good defensive player.

9) Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Devin Harris isn't reaching his potential with the Utah Jazz and in the offseason the team needs to address the point guard position.

Kendall Marshall of North Carolina can score and be a good passer at the NBA level. He also has a high basketball IQ.

10) Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Jeremy Lamb really shined in March Madness last season and was a major reason UConn won the national title.

He would excel in the Suns' high-temp style of basketball and could be a very good scorer for Phoenix in a shooting or point guard role.

11) Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones is a versatile forward who has good offensive ability, but those skills need to develop further and he needs to become a better defensive player to really rise in the draft.

With the Bucks needing a small forward since John Salmons doesn't play there anymore and with Stephen Jackson not being played enough, taking Jones is a smart idea.

12) New Orleans Hornets, Quincy Taylor, SF, Baylor

The Hornets have a lot of weaknesses so drafting a player that is versatile with a very good skill set is a great idea.

Quincy Miller of Baylor is a player who can excel at both forward spots and is a tremendous scorer who has good shooting range.

13) Utah Jazz: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Jazz could use another strong defender, which is what small forward Jeff Taylor of Vanderbilt can provide them in the first round.

Taylor's offensive game needs work, but his defense is something that will earn him minutes early in the NBA.

14) Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Terrence Ross has a ton of athleticism and is an explosive dribbler that will add a real scoring punch to the Houston Rockets frontcourt.

Ross has good shooting range, can hit three-point shots and has a consistent mid-range game. His first step is great because of his speed and quickness, which allows him to blow by defenders and get to the basket.

He has the potential to be a fantastic playmaker with his all-around scoring ability. Ross can create offense by himself, and as he continues to develop as an offensive talent, he could become an elite scorer during his professional career.

15) Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Meyers Leonard is a fantastic rebounder and defends the paint very well with his good strength and size. The Rockets desperately need a franchise center, which makes drafting Leonard a no-brainer.

16) Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers will probably play shooting guard in the NBA and not point guard like he does at Duke, but his speed and athleticism make him a fantastic offensive player.

Rivers has good shooting range and can create his own offense off the dribble going to the basket or with a step back shot attempt. There aren't many guys in college basketball who can dribble and protect the ball as well as Rivers.

He doesn't drive to the basket as well as a Derrick Rose type guard, but his ability to consistently knock down outside shots helps him be an effective scorer.

His dad, Doc Rivers, coaches the Celtics and this father son duo is a good idea for the Celtics if Rivers is available. Rivers would add some much needed athleticism and explosive offensive ability to an aging Boston lineup.

17) Atlanta Hawks: Arnett Moultrie, C, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie is a strong player who will be a fantastic center at the NBA level and would give the Atlanta Hawks a strong rebounder in the paint. The Hawks desperately need a real center.

18) San Antonio Spurs: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller is a fundamentally strong center who can score in the low-post and defend well too. With the Spurs lacking size in the frontcourt, Zeller would be a great fit for them.

19) Orlando Magic: Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas

Myck Kabongo is a good point guard who can play defense, pass well and run an offense effectively at the NBA level. With Jameer Nelson not playing up to his potential, the Magic should let him go in the summer and draft a point guard like Kabongo.

20) Philadelphia 76ers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Marquis Teague is a good point guard prospect whose floor vision and tremendous passing ability could really add some more skill to the Philadelphia 76ers back court.

21) Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Tony Wroten Jr is a very good point guard who has good size and can not only score the ball well, he can be a good playmaker with his passing skills.

22) Los Angeles Lakers: Jon Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Los Angeles Lakers need to get younger, and by taking a young power forward like Jon Henson of North Carolina, the team would upgrade its defense and athleticism. Henson has more potential than most players in this draft because he is so good defensively but his offensive game has great potential.

He needs to add some muscle and strength, but his ability to block shots and rebound is quite impressive. He has great jumping ability and uses this to defend the paint well.

Henson also runs the floor very well for a big man.

Henson needs to improve his offensive game, specifically his low-post game, but he has the skills necessary to be a good NBA scorer. His defense is NBA-ready and with good coaching, the Lakers could turn Henson into a fantastic offensive player in the pros.

23) Los Angeles Lakers: Doron Lamb, Kentucky, SG

Doron Lamb can really score the ball and with the Lakers needing more scoring off their bench, the Kentucky point guard would be a great fit on the purple and gold.

24) Memphis Grizzlies: Patric Young, PF, Florida

Patric Young is a tremendously talented defender and rebounds very well. He would provide some great depth to the Grizzlies' frontcourt.

25) Boston Celtics: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Cody Zeller is a very fundamentally strong big man and would add some great size to a Celtics team that badly needs a younger center.

26) Denver Nuggets: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

Damian Lillard can play both guard positions but he's also a very good scorer who is also unselfish because he looks to get his teammates involved. He would add some nice versatility to the Nuggets' backcourt.

27) Portland Trailblazers: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

Kevin Jones is a bit undersized for a power forward at 6'8" but he has great scoring ability and can give a team versatility with his ability to excel at both forward positions.

28) Chicago Bulls: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

The junior power forward from Duke can provide the Chicago Bulls with defense, rebounding and toughness in the paint off the bench, all of which is very valuable.

29) Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Fab Melo has great size and can score the basketball very well. The Miami Heat need a big center and at 7'0" tall, he fits perfectly with the Heat.

30) Oklahoma City Thunder: James McAdoo, SF, North Carolina

The Thunder could use some more defense and rebounding off the bench from the small forward spot, and North Carolina's James McAdoo is a young player who has a lot of potential to be good at all those areas in the NBA.