2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Scorers That Will Be All-Stars at Next Level

The 2012 NBA draft class is shaping up to be one of the greatest in the history of the league.

Rarely have so many elite players decided to stay in school for a sophomore season when they were a shoe-in for the lottery. The freshman class is incredibly loaded and holds one of the best centers to come along since Greg Oden back in 2007.

That means there are a ton of guys that are flying under-the-radar because of their peers but are still more than capable becoming a premier scorer and an All-Star at some point in their NBA career.

As we go through the latest mock draft, these underrated studs are highlighted in italics.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF-Kentucky

Davis is the Andrew Luck of the NBA Draft.

Everybody is in agreement who the top pick is, and it’s not even close.

Davis’ defense and athleticism haven’t been seen in a very long time. His ceiling is sky-high and is ready to play instantly.

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

Now that Nene is onboard, the Wiz need to shore up their talent on the wing, and giving John Wall a former Wildcat will surely make the moody star pleased.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, PF/C-UConn

He may have finished his collegiate career with a two-point stinker, but there is no doubt he is a freak athlete and terrific shot blocker. Having a 7’0’’ wingspan certainly helps.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (from New Jersey): Jeremy Lamb, SG-UConn

So two Wildcats and two Huskies in the first two picks? This is further proof that UConn severely underachieved this season.

The Blazers have to land a premier scorer that can contribute right away, and the 6’5’’ Lamb fits the bill.

5. Toronto Raptors: Thomas Robinson, PF-Kansas

The pillow-soft Raptors have to get tough inside, and one of the Player of the Year candidates brings a mean streak north of the border.

He can be the muscle to Andrea Bargnani finesse.

6. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF-North Carolina

Barnes had a rough tournament, but once he begins the pre-draft process where his measurements and athleticism are on full display, he’ll rise back up to the top six.

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

Sullinger’s impressive NCAA run has sealed the deal for his top-10 status. He is the perfect complement to Greg Monroe in the paint for a Pistons team that isn’t as far away from competing as you may think.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG-Florida

The 6’4’’ sharp-shooter displays great mechanics on his jumper and has sound fundamentals overall. The Cavs already have their point guard and power forward of the future, now it’s time to plug the other holes.

Beal is also outstanding off the dribble and seems to love running off multiple screens every possession ala Richard Hamilton. He is an active defender that has the quick feet to stay in front of his opponent as well.

Beal is a candidate to lead rookies in scoring and will be averaging 20 points a game sooner or later. This guy is a better version of Ben Gordon.

9. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Arnett Moultrie, PF-Mississippi State

Moultrie brings more length to a team that will likely be trading Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap in the offseason. You can never have enough bulky big’s right?

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kendall Marshall, PG-North Carolina

Marshall’s broken wrist likely cost the Tar Heels a championship; that’s how important he was to the team.

The Bucks are going to trade Brandon Jennings and need a pure point guard like Marshall to straighten out a horrific offense.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF-Baylor

Sorry Joel Przybilla, the Blazers have to bolster their frontline in a huge way. Jones III’s stock dropped this season, but he still has a ton of potential that’s too good to pass up in the late lottery.

12. New Orleans (from Minnesota): Meyers Leonard, C-Illinois

Leonard is a pure center with excellent back-to-the-basket skills that can replace Chris Kaman, whom will surely be out the door at season's end. Leonard has the ability to be a strong rebounder right off the bat.  

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG-Duke

The Jazz frontline is way too crowded and getting a guard that has incredible potential this far back in the draft would be a steal.

Rivers isn’t going to be a star right off the bat but will show considerable improvement in each of his first few seasons.

14. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, SG-Syracuse

Steve Nash needs some help on the perimeter, and Waiters is NBA-ready now.

At 6’4’’ he has the ball handling skills to run an offense but would be perfectly suited as a slasher that can come off screens. He is able to change direction on a dime and is an above-average shooter with NBA range.

He has tremendous athleticism and takes full advantage of it in transition. Despite coming off the bench for Syracuse, this guy is ready to be a strong NBA contributor now. The All-Star game is in Waiters future.

15. Houston Rockets (from New York): Damian Lillard, PG-Weber State

The Rockets are impossible to figure out when it comes to the draft. Your guess is as good as mine.

16. New Jersey Nets (from Houston Rockets): Tyler Zeller, C-North Carolina

Zeller can step in right away and fill the void that Dwight Howard would have filled.

Ok that’s a joke, but Zeller can be a strong contributor instantly alongside Kris Humphries.

17. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG-Washington

Ross is an explosive scorer that can be a decent replacement for Ray Allen. The shooting guard’s stats will look gaudy playing alongside Rajon Rondo.

He has a smooth jumper with a quick release and a deadly first step. Ross is a consistent threat to cut backdoor and finds creative ways to finish around the hoop. His bulk at 6’7’’ certainly helps as well.

18. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF-St. John’s

The Nuggets have plenty of depth when healthy but are still lacking that star player.

Something needs to change this summer, and packaging this pick in some sort of trade sounds like the logical plan to take the next step.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Jones, SF-Kentucky

The 6’9’’ versatile forward is chalk full of skills.

He can handle the ball, create his own shot off the dribble and shoot the lights out. He is a 49 percent shooter with an outstanding pump fake. He has been forced to be more of a post player because of the ridiculous Kentucky backcourt, but there are few doubts he can become an All-Star on the wing.

If anything, the past year has forced Jones to have a more versatile offensive repertoire.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF-North Carolina

Henson is a traditional back-the-basket scorer that stands at 6’10’’ with a freakish 7’4’’ wingspan. His long arms are going to make him incredibly active on defensive, but it helps his offensive game as well.

He has incredibly long strides and is able to run the floor with ease on the fast break. He has a quick first step and is comfortable handling the ball more-so than most players of his stature.

He doesn’t have the greatest range but makes up for it with his relentlessness on the offensive glass (3.2 this year) and a variety of low-post moves highlighted by a wicked spin to the baseline.

This is Elton Brand’s eventual replacement.

21. Houston Rockets (from Dallas): Royce White, SF/PF-Iowa State

The Rockets need more help on the wing, and White proved in the past month that he’s a worthy first-round pick.

22. Indiana Pacers: Marcus Teague, PG-Kentucky

The Pacers are a strong point guard away from being a serious title contender.

23. Memphis Grizzles: Mason Plumlee, PF-Duke

Plumlee is a sound backup that can help relieve Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph when they’re resting/nursing an injury.

24. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers): Andrew Micholson, PF-St. Bonaventure

Kevin Garnett is a goner and shoring up the depth upfront is essential for Boston in the 2012 Draft. Micholson is a terrific rebounder that can fit into the defensive mentality of the Celtics rather quickly.

25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF-Vanderbilt

With the cap restrictions the Magic are facing, landing a guy that can help instantly has to be the game plan for GM Otis Smith.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers): Tony Wroten, SG-Washington

Assuming the freshman leaves school, the Cavs just swapped Ramon Sessions for a player with much more potential and ability to be a star.

He was wildly inconsistent in his lone year of college but possesses the explosiveness to eventually become one of the premier playmakers in the game.

With Kyrie Irving by his side, he will have ample opportunity.

27. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C-Syracuse

Paging anybody that can play defense, you are immediately needed in the Bay Area to help the Warriors.

28. Miami Heat: Doron Lamb, SG-Kentucky

If Lamb is able to handle the ball with any sort of consistency, he is going to average 10 assists per game with the talent surrounded around him.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SG-Michigan State

The Thunder need a guy that can step in and help them right away. Green can bring his tenacity on the boards and sure fire jumper to help Durant and Co. instantly.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG-Vanderbilt

What does the most complete NBA team need?

Not much, but more depth a shooting guard certainly wouldn’t hurt. 

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.