NCAA Tournament 2012: Players Whose 2012 NBA Draft Stock Will Soar

The 2012 NCAA Tournament is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time for certain athletes to greatly increase their draft stock for the 2012 NBA draft. 

A phenomenal performance will do wonders for a player leading up to the draft, but a sorry effort will significantly damage an athlete's draft stock. 

It's the biggest stage, and NBA teams will love to see those players who are making the most of it and doing well. 

That being said, here are three players certain to excel in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, resulting in their draft stock soaring to new heights. 

Tyler Zeller, F, North Carolina 

The Tar Heels are a very strong team, but if they're going to win it all, Zeller has to be the guy who steps up the most. 

Listed at 7'0", 250 pounds, Zeller will get a ton of looks because of his size. However, he needs to show that he can dominate against the best of the best, and that's exactly what is going to happen this March. 

Currently averaging 17 points and nine rebounds per game, Zeller will put the team on his back, leading the Tar Heels on a great run and drastically improving his draft stock. 

Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky 

Jones would have been a borderline lottery pick had he declared last year, but instead he opted to return. 

With his great NCAA tournament experience, look for Jones to thrive in the spotlight this March. He was mediocre at best during the tourney last year, as Kentucky relied on others for superb performances.

However, this time around things will be different. Sure, the Wildcats have talented freshmen who continue to dominate, but come tournament time, Jones' experience will come through in the clutch, and his status on draft boards will rise up.

Austin Rivers, G, Duke 

He was highly praised before joining Duke, but he hasn't completely lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, Rivers is a great player, but everything was made out like he would be a mega star right from the start.

Rivers is only averaging 15 points on the year. He's had some very impressive games, but once the tournament rolls around, he'll turn it into high gear, proving to everyone that he is in fact ready for the NBA.

His performance during the year is enough to make him a first-round pick in the 2012 NBA draft, but once he excels in the NCAA tournament, his stock will rise to top lottery status.