2012 NBA Mock Draft: Late First-Rounders Who Will Shine in Pros

It's always nice to have a lottery pick, but the great franchises find diamonds-in-the-rough later in the first round.

We've seen plenty of stars emerge late from the first round in NBA drafts throughout the years. The key is to find a prospect who has something more than just elite athleticism and strength. Some of the most heady players in the draft class end up being the best.

Here's my latest NBA mock draft, complete with late first-rounders who will shine in the pros.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis has shown in one year of college basketball that he's already set for the pros. He can score, rebound, block shots with the best of them and run the floor. He's a terror on the interior who has the ability to single-handedly change games.

2. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Hornets have had a gaping hole at power forward since the departure of David West and Thomas Robinson exploded this season for Kansas. Thomas Robinson is an explosive athlete who rebounds and defends well. He even showed a perimeter game and ball handling skills this year. He's a future star, despite being undersized. He's as tough as they come.

3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Wizards did just draft Chris Singleton, but it's going to be hard to pass up Kidd-Gilchrist. He knows the game and is a tough, athletic player who can defend multiple positions. He's only going to get better down the road. This kid's work ethic is unquestioned.

4. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Raptors need a starting small forward and Harrison Barnes is a great selection. He's a scoring machine who can hit the big shot. There are some concerns that Barnes is purely a one-dimensional player, but it won't matter when he's lighting it up all over the floor. He has the length to disrupt on defense, too.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Kings need another big man to play alongside DeMarcus Cousins, and Andre Drummond could provide a fearsome duo for years to come. He has explosive athleticism, projects to be an elite shot-blocker and has shown plenty on offense. There are some character concerns with him, but, then again, Cousins has character concerns too and he's been dominating.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Bradley Beal can score all over the floor and he has a high basketball IQ. He can either take over at shooting guard in due time or move over to point guard given his ball-handling skills.

7. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

The Pistons could use someone to pair up with Greg Monroe in the post and Perry Jones is a physical specimen who would help on the glass right away. He has shooting range and is a silky smooth athlete. There is such thing as being too unselfish, though, and Jones has to look to assert himself more.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

The Cavaliers need a big man to pair up with Kyrie Irving. Jared Sullinger projects more as a power forward at the next level given his size, and the Cavaliers could use some strength down low there. He's your prototypical low-post scorer and rebounder and his high basketball IQ should work well with Irving.

9. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

You can never have too many defenders down low and John Henson would provide that for the Rockets. He can block shots, rebound and run the floor. Henson has been remarkable for the Tar Heels this season.

10. Utah Jazz (via GS): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Jazz could use some depth at the point guard position, and Lillard is a dynamic option off the bench. He can score from the inside and outside, displays great vision and is extremely quick. He could present problems for opposing defenses from the start.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones shows great scoring ability and attacks the glass. More importantly, he appears to have matured considerably since last season. He gives the Trail Blazers an extra body down low.

12. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

If Jeremy Lamb falls to the Suns, there's no way they pass on him. He's a big-time scorer who gives opponents trouble defensively with his length and athleticism. He could be the Suns' shooting guard of the future.

13. Utah Jazz: Tyler Zeller, PF/C, North Carolina

It's hard to pass up a post player like Zeller. He runs the floor well at 7'0", has soft touch around the rim and is a smart basketball player. He also knows how to rebound, despite his lack of strength and bulk.

14. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It's all about Meyers Leonard's potential. He has the size, speed and strength to be an elite NBA center and he's shown the ability to be a great shot-blocker. He'll need a little work when he gets to the NBA, but if he shows the toughness needed he could be a handful. 

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor

The Bucks need to start looking for their small forward of the future, and Quincy Miller is an athletic freak of nature who can attack the rim and knock it down from mid-range.  

16. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall's teammates call him "Butter" this season because he spreads it around so well. The Nets could use someone like that, considering they will probably lose Deron Williams in free agency.

17. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, G/F, Washington

George Karl has made it known that he will sacrifice superstars for depth. So I figure he'll go with the best player on the board at this spot. That player could be Terrence Ross, a sharp-shooter who's a tremendous athlete. With a little coaching, he could be a handful driving to the basket. He needs to work on his handles a bit, though.

18. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

The Celtics need to start thinking about successors to "The Big Three," and they need the most help down low given Kevin Garnett's age and the fact that he and Jermaine O'Neal are free agents in the offseason. Moultrie's a great athlete and leaper and loves to attack the basket. He's a strong finisher around the rim.

19. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

The Mavericks need to add youth across the board. Why not try to find a point guard of the future? Tony Wroten has no perimeter game to speak of, but he's great at getting into the lane and dishing to open teammates. His athleticism and strength is reminiscent of Tyreke Evans.

20. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

The Hawks need to drastically improve at small forward and Moe Harkless is a long, athletic prospect who works best finishing at the rim and playing pesky defense. He needs to extend his shooting range, but he has the tools to be a difference-maker in other areas before he does.

21. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Doron Lamb is a bit undersized for a shooting guard in the NBA, but he's a sharp-shooter who could potentially take over for Ray Allen. He's aggressive and tough enough to hold his own at the shooting guard position and some people are comparing him to Ben Gordon.

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Patric Young, C, Florida

The 76ers could use another big body down low and Patric Young has the athleticism, explosiveness and heart to be a good contributor off the bench right away. He needs a lot of work on his post game, but he helps in so many other areas, particularly on defense, that teams will wait.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins can flat-out score the basketball from downtown, and he shot 48 percent from the field for Vanderbilt this season. O.J. Mayo is a restricted free agent this offseason and the Grizzlies could use some depth at the position.

24. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeffery Taylor's improvement on his jump shot was hard to miss this season. Dubbed as a raw athlete before his senior season at Vanderbilt, Taylor made it known that he was working on his all-around game. He shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and shot 43 percent from downtown.

The Pacers need depth behind Danny Granger, and Taylor should provide that. He could be one of the surprises of the draft.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Will Barton, SG, Memphis

Will Barton was a star for Memphis this season, and it wasn't just because of his athleticism and length. He showed improved decision-making and became a leader for the Tigers throughout their campaign. The Cavaliers would like to find someone to pair alongside Kyrie Irving and Barton may just be that man.

26. Orlando Magic: C.J. Leslie, SF, NC State

The Magic, trying to hold on to Dwight Howard, need a dynamic player from the draft who can step in and produce right away. C.J. Leslie still needs work on his jumper, but he has outstanding athleticism and he's been a leader for N.C. State this season. His length also makes for plenty of blocks and steals.

27. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Evan Fournier, SG/SF, Poitiers

With Monta Ellis gone, the Warriors could use some depth behind Klay Thompson and Dorell Wright at the wing positions. Fournier is a virtual unknown, but he showed a high skill level and terrific scoring ability at the 2011 Hoops Summit. He has a good feel for the game and he has the size and toughness to play at small forward. He's a risk, but he could pay off big-time.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Fab Melo's absence was felt right away by Syracuse this season in the NCAA tournament. He's drastically improved his game, and there aren't a lot of legit centers out there who can protect the rim and play defense like he can. The Heat need a center and Melo isn't a bad bet.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

After a breakout junior campaign, Festus Ezeli's senior season was marred by a suspension and a sprained knee. But his size (6'11", 255 pounds), athleticism and leaping ability project him as a potential weapon down the line. He still needs work on rebounding and his offensive game is raw, but he's a shot-blocker who could help the Thunder off the bench.

30. Chicago Bulls: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Bulls have needed a young, dynamic shooting guard for a while now, and Dion Waiters is a defensive-minded player who can create fast break opportunities. He has a good feel for the game and terrific instincts, which should match up well with Derrick Rose.

Waiters needs to work on his jump shot, but it has more to do with picking good shots than needing an overhaul in his mechanics. Sometimes he can rush shots.

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