2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting the Sweet 16 Prospects

The first weekend of the NCAA tournament was filled with excitement and upsets. It also gave some potential NBA prospects the opportunity to impress scouts on the national stage.

Some get the opportunity to show off their skills at least one more time as the Sweet 16 games are set to tip off beginning Thursday night.

A good showing can make enough of an impression that could possibly get that first-round bubble guy locked into the first round. Just the opposite holds true for the guys who have struggled so far during March Madness. Some guys' stocks have been sliding big time.

With that being said, let's jump right into this week's mock draft. The Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky—Davis has been at the top of the board pretty much all season long and there's no reason to move him down now. He's simply one of the best pro prospects in a long time and has the ability to be a game-changer, especially at the defensive end of the floor

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina—The Wizards need something exciting here and Barnes gives them the scorer that they desperately need. He can score effectively from anywhere on the floor and has the talent to become a legitimate No. 1 scoring option.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas—Robinson is a beast and he's NBA-ready. His motor never stops and he's as strong as he's athletic. He's a guy that can play the game above the rim, but can also bang down low effectively. The rebuilding Hornets can't go wrong with Robinson.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Andre Drummond, Connecticut—The Blazers really make out in the deadline deal with the Nets and they are going to have to try this big man thing all over again. Hopefully they have much more luck with Drummond then they did with the Greg Oden experiment.

Drummond's a beast. He's very long and can handle himself against stronger competition in the post. He will be a very good rebounder and shot blocker at the next level.

5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky—When we look back at this draft, it's quite possible Kidd-Gilchrist could wind up becoming the best player. He's a very smooth player that can make a living out of slashing to the rim. His willingness to be a shutdown defender could separate him from the rest of the pack before long.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State—These next couple weeks are big for Sullinger to prove that he can play consistently against top competition. Depending on who you talk to, his stock is down right now, but I still like the possibility of pairing him with DeMarcus Cousins in Sacramento.

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina—While Sullinger's stock has been dropping, Henson's has been rising fast after a fantastic season. He will give the Pistons a good young frontcourt, with Greg Monroe already in the mix in Detroit.

He's a guy that excels at crashing the boards and blocking shots, while also being a very good finisher around the rim.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut—Cleveland could use a scorer in the backcourt to pair with rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. After Barnes, Lamb's the next best pure scorer in the draft and is a steal for the Cavs at No. 8.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Brad Beal, Florida: With a pair of first-round picks, it's time for Utah to solidify that backcourt, as they already have a solid frontcourt in place.

Beal gives Utah a solid perimeter scorer, but is also a very good rebounding guard. He's got a quick release and can shoot both off the dribble and the pass.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State—Milwaukee's suddenly thin up front after dealing Andrew Bogut at the deadline. It's a draft deep on big men and Moultrie could be a nice fit in Milwaukee right off the bat.

He's a freak of an athlete that can score from both the paint and from the outside. He runs the floor like a guard, but his size and length allow him to play both the 4 or the 5.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State—Portland has plenty of holes, and one of them is a quality point guard. Lillard's the top guy on the board and is a combination of a very exciting player and a very smart one. 

He's not only a gifted scorer, but also a good rebounder, high assist guy and solid defensive guard.

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Cody Zeller, Indiana—New Orleans nabs the talented young Zeller with their second pick and by the looks of things, they could have a very good frontcourt for a very long time.

He's a tremendous athlete with a nice offensive package. He can finish around the rim with great touch, but also has a very nice mid-range jumper.

13. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina—Utah also needs a floor general and they can get a good one in Marshall. He's a leader who sees the floor very well and makes everyone on the floor better. He's a take-charge kind of guy who always makes sure his teammates have a chance to succeed.

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, Duke—The Suns are rebuilding and they can nab a potentially dominant scorer for the future in Rivers. His overall game may still need some work, but there's no doubting his ability to score.

He's got a nice jumper and a very quick first step that helps him create his own shot.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, Illinois—The Rockets are getting by with a couple of stopgaps in the middle, but eventually they are going to have to get a franchise big man.

Rolling the dice on Leonard here makes sense, as he's a seven-footer with a nice offensive game already.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina—Who knows what's in store for the Nets in the offseason? They are on Plan B already after failing to acquire Dwight Howard and depending on how the Deron Williams situation plays out, they could be on Plan C by draft day.

Zeller is a great athlete that you could possibly build around. He runs the floor very well and has an effective post game. He also has great leaping ability, which has made him a great rebounder at North Carolina.

17. Boston Celtics: Perry Jones, Baylor—Boston has a need for a big guy here, but with the top big guys already off the board, they go with the best available and that's Jones. Danny Ainge takes risks and it may be hard for him to pass on Jones here.

He's got top-five talent, but hasn't been able to bring that out on a consistent basis. If he figures that part out, he could be scary good.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington—Ross is a solid scorer and rebounder and gives the Nuggets another talented young player. He's got a good inside-outside offensive attack and has nice size and length to play the 2-guard.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. John's—Harkless has a huge upside and has already thrown his name into the draft. Atlanta needs better production from the small forward spot and Harkless is a guy that can certainly deliver that.

He has the potential to be an explosive offensive player and is a better-than-average rebounder.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky—Jones at No. 20 is a steal for the Sixers. He's tough and athletic and makes things happen. He finishes in traffic well but can also take his game out to the perimeter.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt—Taylor's a very smooth player. Offensively, he has a quick first step and can get to the rim. He's very long and a great leaper. Defensively, he's quick and strong and guards the perimeter very well.

22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse—Indiana could use some additional scoring punch and Waiters can provide that. He will be a solid combo-guard in the NBA who has the ability to both be a good slasher and a decent shooter.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington—Wroten has the total package for a guard. He's a talented scorer, but a gifted passer who looks to set up teammates first. He also does a solid job rebounding and on the defensive end of the floor.

It's a solid pick for Memphis, who continues to stockpile young quality players.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, Vanderbilt—Just a lethal long-range shooter who could turn into the replacement for Ray Allen. Jenkins is the best shooter in college basketball, with a quick release and tremendous range.

25. Orlando Magic: Royce White, Iowa State—White's stock has been rising and a good showing against UConn and Kentucky has helped his cause. He's a big small forward, but has point guard skills.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Mitchell, North Texas—Mitchell has a high ceiling and can play either forward spot. His length and athleticism also allow him to defend either spot, as he's shown that he's a very tough guy to score on.

Offensively, he has a nice jumper and can also put the ball on the deck to get to the rim.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Draymond Green, Michigan State: The Warriors filled their need for a productive big man with Bogut, and now they need to address their need at small forward.

Green will give them the production they need from the spot at both ends of the floor. He does everything on the floor well and would be a very nice fit in an improving Golden State lineup.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure—Nicholson has first-round talent and would add to Miami's depth.

He's a good athlete that can score and rebound effectively, and also competes very well at the defensive end of the floor.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt—Ezeli's stock has been rising and he adds another big body to the Thunder rotation. He's a project, as his offensive game is a work in progress, but he could step right in and do a solid job rebounding and blocking shots right off the bat.

With great depth already, the Thunder could afford to be patient with Ezeli. He's got talent.

30. Chicago Bulls: Kris Joseph, Syracuse: The Bulls get a very good player in Joseph with the last pick of the first-round. He's willing to do anything to win, so he will fit in nicely with Tom Thibodeau.

Joseph is long, athletic and very active on the floor—always in a position to make things happen.