2012 NBA Mock Draft: Anthony Davis and Other Players Guaranteed to Be Stars

Given the Kentucky roster alone, this year's NBA draft will be full of bona fide superstars.

The top-of-the-heap teams in college basketball have produced some undeniable talent that will be leaving for the NBA once the 2011-12 NCAA season is officially over, which is music to the collective ears of Charlotte, Washington, New Orleans and a handful of other teams that will be competing for this year's lottery picks.

Here is a mock draft with picks for each of the 30 teams, elaborating on some of the surefire superstars entering this year's draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

He's the best player coming out of the NCAA, and given all of the hype surrounding him, he should be the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. He's versatile, and because he's a former guard, he handles the ball better than most college big men. Though he scores better when driving to the hoop and overpowering defenders with his physicality, he has a good jump shot as well.

Another strong point for Davis is the fact that he can run the floor, making it difficult for other forwards to keep up with him. He is also a talented shot-blocker and has the maturity and leadership skills to succeed in the NBA.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

At 6'9", he dominates inside on both ends of the floor, and his speed is what really helps him dominate. He can run the floor well, like Davis, which prevents him from getting out of position. His strength allows him to split defenders when he's double-teamed, though granted, this was easy for him in college, where he was an overpowering physical presence. It won't be that easy in the NBA.

Robinson's long arms also make him an excellent rebounder, and he plays with the hustle you love to see out of a big man. 

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

He could go at No. 2, but teams might be concerned about how his size will translate to the NBA. At 6'6", he—like his teammate Davis—can push defenders around in the paint now, but in the NBA he will not be able to rely on his size for dominance. Still, he's a player who has done everything well at the college level—shooting, rebounding, boxing out and driving down the lane.

Kidd-Gilchrist's outside shot could use some improvement once he reaches the pro level, but his tenacity makes him an appealing prospect. His work ethic will never be underestimated, and he is a true team player.

4. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, PF, UConn

He was a disappointment during his one year with the Huskies, but his size makes him a good bet (6'11"), and so does his 7'5" wingspan.

5. Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

He's having a great tournament and in the process is increasing his draft stock, and he can provide an immediate paint presence.

6. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Another guy who increased his stock during Florida's longer-than-expected run in the NCAA tournament, and he could easily be the first shooting guard off the board.

7. Detroit Pistons: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

The Pistons need size, and Zeller has the body control to outrun most power forwards and the skill to score.

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

Barnes may fall out of the top five, and if he does, the Cavs—who need talent—could benefit from his speed and shot.

9. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Utah needs a point guard, and Marshall, at 6'4", may be the best one in this draft. The Jazz might not want to risk losing him to the Hornets, so they take will him here.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

He's taking a little bit longer to develop but could pay off because of his size (6'10") and athleticism.

11. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

He's an explosive swingman with a good jump shot as well as an excellent wingspan (7'1").

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

As a 6'11" senior, he's had plenty of time to develop into an athletic big man who can run the floor.

13. Phoenix Suns: James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina

If he's still on the board this late, McAdoo can provide the Suns with a dominant inside presence.

14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The 6'10" junior has a 7'4" wingspan and is one of the best shot-blockers in the nation behind Anthony Davis.

15. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Rockets still need a guard, and Rivers is a great shooter who could benefit from having other shooters around him instead of trying to take over the entire game by himself. He's versatile enough to serve as a shooting guard or a point guard and plays with more control than most guards in his class.

If he's on a team where he doesn't feel the need to be selfish with the ball, Rivers can excel in the pros. The son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers (who has said that he would consider selecting his son if he fell to the Celtics in the draft), he could go as high as 10th.

16. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

He's good enough to go higher, but his unorthodox shot and inconsistency could lead him to fall in the order.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Wolves would be thrilled if he fell to them. Lillard is one of the nation's top scorers, and at 6'2", he's a good size for an NBA point guard.

18. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

He can provide Boston with two things it desperately needs: youth and size.

19. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

He needs a little bit of seasoning, but he's athletic with a natural shooting ability, and Philly needs a shooter.

20. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

His anxiety disorder has scared away some teams, but the 6'8" sophomore played well enough in the weeks leading up to the NCAA tournament to justify a first-round selection. 

21. Houston Rockets: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Rockets could still use a little bit of size, and at 6'7" and 226 pounds, he can rack up steals and deflections.

22. Boston Celtics: Tony Mitchell, SF/PF, North Texas

He's quick and athletic, running the court well for a big man, and he is a combo forward who can give Boston more youth and versatility in the front court.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Wroten is one of the most talented guards in the draft and also is an excellent passer with great body control. He could finally fulfill the Hawks' need for a point guard.

24. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

He fights to the basket and is a threat to score in transition, and his size (6'4") allows him to be effective on and off the ball.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

He shoots 50 percent from the floor and is lethal from three-point range, but his size poses a problem: He isn't effective running the point and is too small to overpower an NBA 2-guard.

26. Orlando Magic: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

He won't be the biggest guy at 6'9", but his high basketball IQ and his inside scoring presence are big pluses.

27. Golden State Warriors: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

He could go a lot higher than this, but if he's still around, the Warriors will take a chance on his scoring ability, despite the fact that his jumper needs some work.

28. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague took a while to transition into his role of running the floor instead of scoring all the points at Kentucky, but his natural athleticism is impossible to overlook.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

He has the leadership and basketball IQ to succeed in the NBA, and he's had plenty of time to extend his shooting range throughout his four years under Tom Izzo.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He'll still be a threat behind the NBA three-point line and in general is an excellent perimeter shooter.