2012 NBA Mock Draft: 5 Explosive Athletes Who Will Jump Up the Draft Board

An NBA prospect can disappoint on the floor in college and still be a lottery pick based on his athleticism and potential.

We see it every year. Teams will pass on a more polished prospect for a player who can jump out of the building.

Here's my latest NBA mock draft, complete with prospects I see rising based on their athleticism (in italics).

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The Bobcats have holes throughout their offense, and Anthony Davis can do it all. He can score, rebound, defend, block shots and run the floor. If the Bobcats didn't grab Davis with the No. 1 overall pick, I'd be shocked.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Wizards don't exactly have a whole lot of talent at the power forward position. Thomas Robinson is a scary combination of scoring ability and rebounding, and he's an extremely tough player.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's potential is off the charts. He has great length and athleticism, projects as an elite defender at the 3 spot and never stops moving.

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

There's a chance the Trail Blazers could go with someone like Harrison Barnes here, but Bradley Beal has been sensational this season, including in the NCAA tournament, and he could make a difference at shooting guard right away for the team. Remember, he's only played one year of college ball. He has tons of potential.

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

The Raptors could use an upgrade at small forward, and Harrison Barnes is simply a scoring machine, with the athleticism to translate nicely to the NBA.

6. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond hasn't had the season he probably hoped for, and he does have some character concerns, but he has the explosiveness, strength and speed to be a nightmare for the opposition when he's dedicated. Kinda like DeMarcus Cousins.

7. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

The Pistons could use someone to pair with Greg Monroe on the low post, and Jared Sullinger would be an excellent choice. Sullinger has played center at Ohio State, but he's more suited to be a power forward in the NBA. His post game and rebounding projects him as a very good player in the pros.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Cody Zeller may still stay at Indiana, but if he declares he has amazing potential. He likely wouldn't make a huge impact right away, but his aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, ability to run the floor and tenacity project him as a potential star-in-the-making. If this kid adds some bulk, watch out.

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

Coming from Weber State, it's easy to look over Damian Lillard. But this kid's for real. He's a lightning-quick, explosive scorer who has great vision. The Jazz needs a difference-maker at the point guard position.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Bucks have their starting backcourt now with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Now they need someone at center who can make a difference. Tyler Zeller is a smart player who runs the floor exceptionally well at 7'0", has nice scoring touch and is a good rebounder.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

With shooting guard out of the way, why not grab someone like Meyers Leonard? He has the size and frame to translate well to the pros, and he can score, rebound and block shots. A bit of a work in progress, but the skill set is there.

12. New Orleans Hornets: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

I expect Perry Jones' inconsistency this season to drop him a bit down draft boards, but his outstanding athleticism and ability to crash the glass makes him a lottery pick. The Hornets could have themselves some kind of draft this year.

13. Phoenix Suns: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

There's no guarantee John Henson falls this far, but if he does, the Suns will gladly nab him. His length and shot-blocking ability makes him a defensive menace and he's a very good rebounder. With some added size, he could be an impact player in the NBA.

14. Utah Jazz: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

A dynamic scorer, Jeremy Lamb has the potential to lift off in the NBA. Largely seen as a lottery pick, he's refined his pull-up game and the pressure doesn't appear to rattle him.

15. Houston Rockets (via NY): Terrence Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky

The Rockets would ideally like a center here, but I don't see one to legitimately land at this spot. Instead, I expect the Rockets to go with the best player available. That should be Terrence Jones, who can score both inside and outside, rebound the basketball and play at both forward positions.

16. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

This may be a reach, but the Nets need some depth in the post, and I could see them going after Arnett Moultrie. Moultrie's a long, athletic, quick big man who runs the floor well and can play both inside and outside. He needs to add strength, but he could be an impact player given time.

17. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

I'm honestly not the biggest fan of Austin Rivers. He has trouble with his decision-making and facilitating for others. In that regard, he's essentially an undersized shooting guard. Nonetheless, teams will be enamored with his potential, and he still has the ability to be an impact player offensively at shooting guard. Plus, c'mon, his dad is Doc Rivers.

18. Denver Nuggets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

George Karl loves him some depth. He did, after all, trade away Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilario. With Andre Miller aging, I expect the Nuggets to find a backup for Ty Lawson. Kendall Marshall would be a splendid one. Marshall isn't a gifted athlete, he's not a great scorer, but he's a tremendous passer. Any NBA team would love to have him on its side.

19. Philadelphia 76ers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters has proven himself in the NCAA tournament as Syracuse's best player. He's a dynamic scorer who can hurt you deep or explode to the rim. He's strong enough to overcome his lack of size at the shooting guard position.

20. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Terrence Ross' partner-in-crime, Tony Wroten constantly puts pressure on the defense, whether it be creating for his teammates or attacking the hoop. He needs to work on his turnovers and outside shooting, but with a little guidance from, say, Jason Kidd, he could emerge as Dallas' starting point guard down the line.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

If you are one of those few people who have been watching the NIT tournament, you know who Terrence Ross is. He's dangerous from the outside, glides to the hoop and moves well without the ball. Ross may be one of the most underrated players in the draft class.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Doron Lamb is a dynamic scorer who can knock it down from all over the floor. Think a poor man's Ben Gordon. The Grizzlies need depth at the position, especially with O.J. Mayo being a restricted free agent in the offseason.

23. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

The Pacers would like some depth behind Danny Granger and Moe Harkless attacks the rim while playing pesky, physical defense. Harkless could be a nice contributor right away for Indiana.

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Patric Young, C, Florida

Patric Young is still a work in progress, but he's already showing great strides in the NCAA tournament. He needs work on his low-post game, but he's already a solid defender, and he has the athleticism and explosiveness to translate to the NBA nicely.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeffery Taylor could be grabbed earlier than this, but if he lands here he could be a surprise. After being dubbed a raw athlete last season, he worked on his perimeter game considerably, shooting 49 percent this season (43 percent from downtown).

26. Orlando Magic: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

I think the Magic need someone who can make an impact right away to keep Dwight Howard in town. A pure scorer who has drastically improved his ball-handling, John Jenkins has the ability to be a starting shooting guard in the NBA.

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

Not much is known about Evan Fournier. What we do know is he lit it up at the 2011 Hoops Summit and displayed the size and toughness to be a small forward.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Fab Melo was Syracuse's presence in the paint this season, and the Heat need a young center desperately. Melo has the defense and rebounding to make an impact right away.

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

Festus Ezeli showed a lot this season for Vanderbilt. He has size, athleticism and great leaping ability, and he can score, rebound, defend and block shots. One of the sleepers in the draft.

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

The Bulls need a shooting guard. Will Barton 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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