NCAA Bracket 2012: 12 Players We Want to See in the NBA Right Now

The 2012 NCAA tournament has reached its Sweet 16. NBA scouts, thinking 2012 NBA Draft, will be among the multitude of fans glued to their television screens.

Several NBA prospects play on the remaining 16 teams. Some are more highly touted than others, but there is a ton of talent left in the tournament field. 

NBA scouts are possibly getting their last looks at live action from prospective draftees. Evaluating players on the biggest stage will go a long way toward their selections come draft day. 

College basketball fans know who is NBA-ready, as do we. 

Here are 12 players we cannot wait to see in the NBA.

Quincy Miller

Quincy Miller will give immediate help to anyone looking for a wing player in the 2012 NBA Draft. 

Miller stands 6'8'', but plays a finesse game. He has a silky smooth mid-range stroke and the ability to play with his back to the basket. 

Miller is also a dangerous shooter from beyond the arc. 

Defensively, Miller's length disrupts shots, but he must take his intensity up a notch at the next level.

Miller never seems to be moving very fast. He glides around the court. Some take it as laziness, but it is mostly just how Miller plays. 

He is a bit of a work in progress, but Miller has big-time potential on the offensive end. 

Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal may be the best 2-guard in the 2012 NBA Draft, and he is still getting better. 

Beal is a dynamic scorer on offense with a surprising knack for cleaning up the glass. He can shoot the rock from anywhere you let him and has the confidence to knock down contested shots. 

Beal is a bit undersized, but not so much that it will drastically affect him at the next level. He plays strong on both ends of the floor. 

According ESPN's Chad Ford, Beal is "Ray Allen meets Eric Gordon."

That sounds like a lottery pick to me. 

Draymond Green

Draymond Green is the most versatile player in college basketball. It will be interesting to see how his versatility translates to the NBA. 

Green is a stat-sheet stuffer. He can score in a variety ways, rebound and find open teammates. He is a consistent triple-double threat.

Not many players can claim that type of value. 

The NBA will demand more of Green's athleticism. He can play multiple positions, but he will have to find a home in the NBA and settle in. 

I would take a chance on Green. He plays within himself and understands his game very well. He could be an excellent role player for an NBA team for a long time. 

John Henson

College basketball has a lot of lanky players. Then, there is John Henson. Henson's upside screams lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. 

Henson's offensive game is still developing. He uses his wingspan to shoot over defenders down low and can knock down mid-range jumpers. But he needs to work on his consistency. 

On the other hand, Henson's defense is NBA-ready. He is an intimidating shot-blocker and guards the rim as well as anyone we will see in the 2012 NBA Draft. 

Henson's slight frame could hurt him at the next level, but he is athletic enough to play as a face-up 4-man.

If he continues to develop offensively, he will be a menace at both ends of the floor.

Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson has been the most dominant player in college basketball this season. His NBA draft stock has skyrocketed.

Robinson is a physically imposing player on the low block. He is not an agile player down low, but his power is overwhelming.

If he gets the ball in position, he is going to score; it is that simple. 

Robinson's heart matches his physical skills. He is a gamer and plays his best in big moments. 

Robinson does not have the highest ceiling, but he may be the most NBA-ready player in this year's draft. 

With Robinson, what you see is what you get. Watch him play one time; you will realize that is nothing but a good thing.

Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger is a brute in the paint. Sullinger's choice to stay for his sophomore season was questionable, but he will be better because of it.

I, for one, have questioned Sullinger's NBA potential. He is not overly tall or long, and he does not have an incredibly high ceiling.

The more I watch Sullinger, the more he impresses me. 

Sullinger has improved his offensive repertoire this season. He has always been a dominant post player, but he has developed a solid perimeter game to match. 

Defensively, Sullinger will have trouble guarding taller forwards. But, he is strong enough to make up some of the difference. 

Sullinger may be a bit of a "tweener," but he is very skilled in the post with a feathery touch. He is almost impossible to stop one-on-one down low. 

Sullinger will not be a star, but he will be an NBA player for a long time.

Perry Jones III

Perry Jones III can be as good as he wants to be. The problem is, how good does he want to be?

Jones III is highly skilled, but tends to play lackadaisically. He drifts out of Baylor's offense and does not take over games like he should.

Jones III is capable of taking games over, but then disappears for the rest of the game. He must find the consistency to go with his talent.

NBA teams love players oozing with Jones III's potential. He is a matchup nightmare and runs the floor like a guard. His athleticism will translate very well to the NBA.

Jones III's NBA success could rest heavily on where he lands. He will need a coach prepared to work with him. 

If he can be more assertive, look out.

Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller managed to revitalize Indiana Hoosiers basketball in just one season. He could stick around for another year, but he is a first-round selection in the 2012 NBA Draft if he chooses to go. 

Zeller must get stronger, but he has a polished array of post moves. He spins very well both ways and has excellent touch. If you let Zeller get to the rim, he is going to finish. 

Defensively, Zeller is pesky. He is developing his shot-blocking instincts, but could get pushed around at the next level.

I would not be surprised if Zeller returns to the Hoosiers for one more season. He has been dominant in his freshman season and still has room to improve. 

If he stays, Zeller is lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. If he goes, he will be a first-round project for someone.

Projects rarely have this much polish.

William Buford

William Buford is a rarity in today's college game—a senior entering the 2012 NBA Draft. 

Buford is an extremely underrated player for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has been consistent throughout his career, but the future NBA players on his team overshadow him.

Do not sleep on Buford at the next level. He may never reach superstar status, but he will have a long, successful career.

Buford can shoot from the outside or post up smaller guards. His offensive repertoire does not stand out, but it is solid across the board. 

Defensively, Buford is relentless. He can blanket opposing players with his strength and length. He can defend either guard spot or small forwards. 

Buford is probably not going to be selected until late in the first round. He may even have to wait until the second. 

Nonetheless, whoever decides to scoop him up will be very happy.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has an NBA-ready body and an NBA-ready mind. This will earn him a lottery selection in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Kidd-Gilchrist is the definition of "glue guy." He is a solid offensive player with a developing perimeter game. His real value lies on the defensive end and in the locker room.

Kidd-Gilchrist gives maximum effort on defense and is a tough on-ball defender. His combination of size and quickness allows him to match up with all types of players. 

Struggling NBA teams will probably be looking for leadership. Veteran free agents can serve that purpose, but this is one rookie who can as well. 

He is a consummate leader with a big-shot mentality. Kidd-Gilchrist wants to win games at all costs. 

If Kidd-Gilchrist can develop a three-point shot, his ceiling is limitless. Even if he doesn't, he is going to be very good.

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes will be the purest scorer in the 2012 NBA Draft. He possesses a lethal array of NBA-ready shots.

Barnes has an NBA body with a great head on his shoulders. He understands the game and is very coachable. This will come in handy when he lands on a bad team and must provide leadership from day one. 

Observers question Barnes' defensive ability and rebounding, but the potential is there. His size and quickness allow him to defend multiple positions.

Rebounding will come. There are not enough balls to go around in the Tar Heels' frontcourt for Barnes to have big numbers on the boards.

Barnes' No. 1 asset is his shooting ability. He is dynamic when he sets his feet and even better when he can take one dribble to set himself up. He has the size to work smaller defenders in the post or take them to the rim off the dribble.

The Tar Heels thrive in the open court, as does Barnes. Expect those skills to translate to the NBA sooner rather than later.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis will probably go No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, barring an unforeseen hiccup. 

Davis has the skills and build to be a star at the next level. I am sure NBA scouts are drooling at this very moment. 

Davis was a guard until his senior year in high school, when he sprouted from 6'3'' to 6'10'' in a matter of a year. 

In terms of basketball, this makes Davis a freak of nature. He still maintains his guard-like instincts, but his size allows him to play in the post. 

Davis will need to put on weight if he wants to bang with the bigs in the NBA. He is ready to contribute at power forward or small forward right away at the next level. 

His shot-blocking skills and ability to step outside will make him a hot commodity when David Stern steps up to the podium on draft day.