2012 NBA Mock Draft: Tony Wroten Jr. and Freshmen Ready for Jump

Some of the best NBA players in recent memory were one-and-done at the college level. Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose are just a few that come to mind.

But which college freshmen are primed to make the NBA jump this year? Which freshmen are best served jumping to the pros rather than playing another year of college ball?

Let's find out and do a bit of NBA mock drafting along the way.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

As far as I'm concerned, Davis is as can't-miss as they come. He's a true game-changer, especially defensively, where he controls the paint and lane by blocking shots with an unparallelled ease. I enjoy watching highlight films of him blocking shots as much as I enjoy watching other guys dunk.

His crazy length and elite athleticism make his ceiling pretty hard to see from all the way down here. If he improves his offensive game as he matures in the NBA, he'll could be a presence in the middle in line with Dwight Howard.

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

There might not be a better combination of athleticism, upside and character than MKG. He's a team-first player who plays excellent defense, runs the floor and is a natural leader.

He'll need to improve his jump shot at the NBA level; there is no question about that. But Kidd-Gilchrist has so many physical tools and the right sort of attitude—he'll find a way to help an NBA team in some facet immediately.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Drummond has the natural ability to enter the NBA right now. He just looks like an NBA big man, and he has incredible athleticism, explosive leaping, a decent jump shot and a good feel for the game to boot.

But Drummond could be a bust. He's inconsistent and doesn't seem comfortable with maintaining physical play in the paint—a big warning sign for a big man. If Drummond wants to dominate every time he steps on the court, he'll be fine in the NBA.

If he's more tentative than that, he's going to make an NBA general manager very, very sad.

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

Beal is the best guard in this draft, and might go as high as No. 2, depending on what team makes the pick. In a more traditional offense than the one Florida uses, Beal should be even more effective than he was his freshman year.

Beal didn't dominate the NCAA tournament, but he showed how well-rounded his game is, averaging 15.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in four games. He'll be the first guard off the board, believe it.

5. Toronto Raptors: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson will be a very good NBA player and will make an instant impact. He may never be great, but he'll be a solid contributor and a good teammate.

6. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

The biggest question mark in the draft, if you ask me. The talent to be elite is there. But will Jones ever reach it?

7. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is NBA-ready and makes the Kings frightening down low with DeMarcus Cousins already patrolling the block.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The wing they want. They wing they need.

9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

He's more a scorer than he is a great passer, but he'll be tough to pass up for a Jazz team needing help in the backcourt.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

If Zeller gets stronger, he's ready for the NBA. How many freshmen in the Big Ten average 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game?

Answer: Not many. Another year at Indiana wouldn't hurt him, but he is ready for the NBA now. The Bucks would surely love to replace Andrew Bogut with the talented Zeller.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

And thus ends the run of Zellers at this year's draft.

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

He'll be the best passing guard in this draft by leaps and bounds. He'll be the type of NBA player that quietly makes his team better.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

His game is a little soft, and he could be a bust. But with his potential, this is a quality pick for Phoenix at this spot.

14. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Despite a season that perhaps didn't live up to the huge Rivers hype coming in, it's very possible I have Rivers too low on my board. He probably won't be a point guard at the next level, and I think he'll be very dangerous off the ball more, where he doesn't have to focus on involving everyone else.

Rivers can flat score when he gets going. I think he'll be very good at the next level.

15. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Rockets add to the frontcourt with the long and athletic power forward from Mississippi State.

16. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets): Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Out with the old (Deron Williams—he ain't coming back) and in with the new. Wroten may not immediately make Nets' fans forget about Williams—or Dwight Howard, for that matter—but he's got the skills to contribute immediately.

Wroten had an excellent freshman year for Washington, averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

His jump shot needs some work as does his court IQ, but those can be improved. He has all the tools to be an excellent combo guard in the NBA.

17. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

If Kevin Garnett bolts via free agency or retires, the Celtics will need a replacement. Henson isn't KG, but he isn't chopped liver, either.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones has immense talent but doesn't always display it. In the right system, he's the type of player that could be deadly. But he also could get lost as he may be a bit of an NBA 'tweener.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Hawks aren't going to find the point guard of the future here, so they add some depth down low instead.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Sixers need some help at power forward. Enter Nicholson.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas Mavericks): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller was overshadowed by Perry Jones III for much of the season, but he may end up being the better pro. His upside is immense, and on a team like the Mavericks where he could learn under a lot of veteran presences, his talent could be developed slowly.

Don't be surprised if Perry Jones III is a bust and Miller becomes a stud three years from now in Dallas.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Patric Young, C, Florida

Young will likely return to Florida, but if he doesn't, the Grizz would be pleased to put their jersey on him.

23. Indiana Pacers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

You may not watch the NIT (of course you don't), but Ross has flat-out torched the opposition, scoring 23, 32 and 24 points in Washington's first three NIT games.

The Pacers can afford to take the best player on the board. They do just that with Ross.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State

Leslie has the athletic ability to play the 3 and the size to play the 4. He's seemed to answer character issues at NC State and will pair with Henson to improve the forward position in Boston.

25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

I love Taylor going to Orlando. His size and ability to shoot from three make him a great fit for what the team already does offensively.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Had Harkless gone back to St. John's for a second season, nobody would have blamed him—a sophomore year like his freshman one this year and Harkless likely would be lottery bound.

The frosh was good for 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this year. He's NBA ready, even if he's a bit raw. Cleveland may not be getting an immediate contributor, but the potential is there.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

He's a different player than Monta Ellis, but he could end up being a far better fit for the team.

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

He'll do a bit of everything for the Heat, and win a title or two along the way. Not a bad gig.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Hey, when you are the Thunder, you can add a sharp-shooter if you like. It's not like you have other glaring needs, after all.

30. Chicago Bulls: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

He's the most talented player still on the board and is versatile enough to play multiple positions for the Bulls. He won't get past them if he's available here.

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