2012 NBA Mock Draft: Which Players Have the Brightest Future?

The 2012 NCAA tournament is nearly over and a number of players are making a name for themselves during March Madness and hoping to hop into the first round of the 2012 NBA draft.

A successful tournament run may get you selected early, but it doesn’t guarantee sustained productivity in the NBA (see: Dixon, Juan).

Here’s a look at some guys whose game will transcend the Big Dance.

Order based on current standings and projected finish.

 1.  Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is as sure a thing as they come in an NBA prospect.

His incredible defense, shot blocking and low play are uncanny and come natural to him while other players need to work hard to gain these abilities.

It would be wild to see him not go No. 1 overall, and he’s going to have a long and successful career.

2.  Washington Wizards – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

After Davis, a number of players could go No. 2.

Robinson is having a solid junior outing and that's the reason why he’s in the running to get selected second.

3.  New Orleans Hornets – Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

Barnes is a born scorer and projects to be a player who leads his franchise in scoring for much of his playing days.

He’s certainly worthy of a No. 3 pick in this stacked draft.

4.  Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ) – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Drummond has yet to figure out how to use his immense size, but his upside is too much to pass up for the Trail Blazers.

5.  Toronto Raptors – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is perhaps the most NBA-ready of any player in this class and will immediately help the Raptors' interior presence.

6.  Sacramento Kings – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

MKG will carve out a niche for himself as a defender in the pros and has a chance to become a star if he continues to develop an offensive game.

7.  Detroit Pistons – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb has the scoring touch that the Pistons currently lack at the SG position.

8.  Cleveland Cavaliers – Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters has an extremely explosive game and he would be the backcourt mate that Kyrie Irving needs to thrive.

9.  Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ) – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie’s phenomenal season should have him landing inside the top 10.

10.  Milwaukee Bucks – Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

Milwaukee desperately needs size now that they traded away Andrew Bogut.

11.  Portland Trail Blazers – Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Jones has yet to fully display the talent he possesses, but he’s worth a risk here.

12.  New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN) – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

The Hornets need a PG to replace Chris Paul if they want to compete next season.

13.  Utah Jazz – Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Marshall is the best passing PG in the draft and helps solidify a youth movement in Utah.

14.  Phoenix Suns – Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is a big SG who can knock down any shot and get to the cup.

15.  Houston Rockets (via NYK) – Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

This versatile forward would be able to fill a number of needs for the Rockets.

16.  Boston Celtics – Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

It would be interesting to see if Boston would pick head coach Doc Rivers' son. There is no denying his talent, and they will need a solid combo-guard like Rivers to help replace Ray Allen after his contract expires.

He’s got the shooting touch and ball handling to be a force in the NBA. 

17.  New Jersey Nets (via HOU) – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones is a solid scorer from anywhere on the floor. He brings versatility to a position the Nets direly need it at.

18.  Denver Nuggets – Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Wroten is another solid PG in the 2012 class who has a chance to fill Andre Miller’s shoes.

19.  Philadelphia 76ers – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It’s likely Spencer Hawes will depart in free agency, so they will need a big center to replace him, and Leonard is the guy.

20.  Dallas Mavericks – John Henson, PF, UNC

Henson can help defend the paint from the 4-spot as Dirk Nowitzki declines.

21.  Atlanta Hawks – Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas

Mitchell is a poor man’s Kevin Durant who has huge upside. He can score easily as an athlete right now, although his game needs some work.

22.  Memphis Grizzlies – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a great shooter and will help make up for the potential loss of O.J. Mayo off the bench.

23.  Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC) – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Boston needs to address size, but Lamb has too much skill to pass up here.

24.  Indiana Pacers – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a good defender, three-point shooter and athlete, which makes him a steal at No. 24.

25.  Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL) – Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Size never hurts in the NBA, and Cleveland can get bigger by adding Melo late in the first.

26.  Orlando Magic – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Is Teague going to convince Dwight Howard to stay? Probably not, but he’s a great player and could add a few wins for the Magic.

27.  Golden State (via SA) – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

The Warriors need a backup PF and someone who can play defense for coach Mark Jackson.

28.  Miami Heat – Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Ezeli is raw, but the Heat can afford to gamble on a project.

29.  Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Green is lighting up the NCAA tournament and has the ability to play either forward position.

That makes him an excellent fit in OKC as a proven winner and glue guy.

30.  Chicago Bulls – Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson destroyed the A-10 tournament and did well against Florida State in the opening round. He’s put himself on the cusp of the first round.