2012 NBA Mock Draft: C.J. Leslie and More Players Who Have Improved Stock

As former UConn star Kemba Walker showed, a good postseason has a way of propelling prospects up NBA draft boards.

This year, we've seen some magnificent performances from players itching to burst into the first round of the 2012 NBA draft.

Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with prospects making their names known in the NCAA tournament (in italics).

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The Bobcats don't have a legit starting power forward right now. Anthony Davis does it all. He can score, rebound, play good defense, block shots and run the floor. He would be excellent next to defensive-minded Bismack Biyombo. 

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

Thomas Robinson is not only a physical specimen, he's a pretty darn good player, too. He's exploded this season in his first year as starter for the Wildcats. He's a great defender and shot-blocker and he's improved his perimeter game and ball-handling skills this season.

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

The jury's still out on whether Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will return to Kentucky next season, but being a potential top-five pick has a way of swaying a kid's thinking. Kidd-Gilchrist is a tough, athletic player whose undying work ethic will only make him better moving forward.

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

Harrison Barnes is a scoring machine and the Raptors need a small forward. It's that simple.  

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond has been a bit of a disappointment this season, particularly in the NCAA tournament, but his potential is through the roof. He's an explosive athlete who can attack the basket and projects as an elite shot-blocker at the next level. The Kings would love to pair him up with DeMarcus Cousins. 

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

Bradley Beal is a multidimensional scorer and he plays well within the game. He even has the ball-handling skills to potentially become a point guard at the next level.  

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Pistons already have a low-post scorer in Greg Monroe, but they need a shot-blocker to pair along with him. John Henson made his presence known against Creighton in the NCAA tournament. 

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

The Cavaliers are dying for a shooting guard of the future. Jeremy Lamb may not be a legit top-10 pick, but he's close and his scoring ability would look great next to Kyrie Irving. He also has the length and athleticism to be a pesky defender. 

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

The Jazz could use some depth at the point guard position and Damian Lillard is a lightning-quick, efficient, lethal scorer. He averaged 24.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals this season for the Wildcats, while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from downtown. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

After landing Monta Ellis, the Bucks need another winger at small forward. Terrence Jones can score in bunches and he's matured considerably since last season. A trio of Brandon Jennings, Ellis and Jones could be lethal.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Obviously, the Trail Blazers have LaMarcus Aldridge, but Jared Sullinger is going to be hard to pass up outside the Top 10. He's an elite low-post scorer who rebounds and knows the game. He would provide great depth behind Aldridge from the start. 

12. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Hornets need a starting point guard after Chris Paul's departure and Kendall Marshall could grow into that role. He's a great distributor with great vision and he's considerably improved his shooting this season.

13. Phoenix Suns: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor

The Suns would like a shooting guard, but they could also use a small forward of the future. Quincy Miller is immensely talented with the ability to score all over the floor. He also has the athleticism to be a very good rebounder at the next level. He's raw, though, and he'll need some work first.

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

Tyler Zeller isn't your prototypical center. He's not going to bang down low and block shots left and right, but he runs the floor very well, has soft touch around the rim and is a smart basketball player. He'd give the Jazz great depth in the frontcourt.

15. Houston Rockets (via NY): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

At this point, Perry Jones could be the steal of the draft. However, despite his athleticism, rebounding and shooting range, he's very raw and inconsistent, which could hurt him on draft boards. Some believe he's too unselfish for his own good. The Rockets will take him, though. Not a bad backup to Luis Scola. 

16. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

The Nets could use some depth behind Gerald Wallace at small forward and Terrence Ross is a tremendous athlete who can shoot all over the floor. He needs to work on his handles and staying in control driving to the basket, but with a little work he could be a dynamic player.

17. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

George Karl has made it rather clear he likes depth on a basketball team. Arnett Moultrie would provide depth in the frontcourt. He attacks the rim and has great leaping ability.

18. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Celtics have been looking for a difference-maker at the center position since Kendrick Perkins was traded away last season. Meyers Leonard could be the real deal. He has the size, strength and speed to be a handful and he loves blocking shots.

19. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

The Mavericks need a point guard of the future and Tony Wroten loves driving to the basket and kicking it out to teammates. He's not much of a shooter at this stage, but his strength and athleticism has some comparing him to Tyreke Evans.

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

The Hawks need help at small forward and Moe Harkless is a strong finisher who plays pesky defense. He needs to improve his shooting range, but he has a lot of tools the Hawks will love. 

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

Doron Lamb is a bit undersized for a shooting guard in the NBA (6'4"), but his ability to knock it down all over the floor has some comparing him to Ben Gordon. The Celtics need a shooting guard of the future and Lamb has probably elevated his stock in the NCAA tournament. 

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

Patric Young needs work on his low-post game, but he's a very good man-to-man defender and he has the athleticism, explosiveness and heart to eventually become more dynamic offensively. He gives the 76ers another body down low. 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins didn't exactly help himself in the NCAA tournament against Wisconsin, but it's hard to look past the fact that he generally lit up the score board throughout the season. He's a pure shooter who gives the Grizzlies depth at shooting guard, particularly with O.J. Mayo being a restricted free agent. 

24. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeffery Taylor, once dubbed a raw athlete, worked hard on his perimeter game this season, and it showed. He shot 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range. He would provide depth behind Danny Granger in Indiana.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): C.J. Leslie, SF, NC State

If you didn't know about C.J. Leslie before the NCAA tournament, you do now. He has great length, producing plenty of blocks and steals, and his athleticism helps him attack the basket. He's also been the leader for the Wolfpack during their run. He could become the Cavaliers' small forward of the future. 

26. Orlando Magic: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Jason Richardson is old and the Magic need someone to inject life into the Magic, if only to entice Dwight Howard to stay in Orlando. Dion Waiters can make a difference defensively and he has a nice feel for the game. He's played very well in the NCAA tournament. 

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

With Monta Ellis gone, the Warriors need depth at the shooting guard position and Dorell Wright has disappointed at small forward this season. Not much is known of Evan Fournier, but he immediately impressed at the 2011 Hoops Summit, showing terrific scoring ability and the size and toughness to play at small forward.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Heat are already a great defensive team. If Fab Melo, the anchor of the Syracuse defense, works out, the Heat will be a nightmare defensively.  

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

Festus Ezeli is a defender, rebounder and shot-blocker first and foremost, and there's nothing like a guy like that coming off the bench to surprise opponents. He has great size, athleticism and leaping ability. He averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals in two NCAA tournament games. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

The Bulls need a shooting guard and Will Barton could be that man. He drastically improved his shooting touch this season and was one of the best rebounders at his position in college basketball, aided by his length and athleticism. Beyond that, he showed leadership, and the Bulls like heady players. 

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