NBA Draft 2012: Prospects with Most to Play for in National Championship Game
Anthony Davis will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. We can stop debating that after he posted 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks against Louisville in the Final Four.
But there are some prospects in Monday's national championship game who can elevate their draft stock considerably with big performances.
Here's a look at those prospects not named Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson.
3. Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky
Doron Lamb is a potential first-round pick in the draft. He's a silky-smooth shooter who doesn't get enough credit on a team loaded with superstars.
Lamb is a bit undersized for a shooting guard in the NBA, at 6'4", 195 pounds, but he has great length. He's also a good ball handler with the ability to create shots for himself.
Lamb is averaging 13.5 points this season. He's shot 47 percent from the floor and 46 percent from three-point range. He hasn't shot as well as he can in the past two games, so he's due for a big shooting night in the national championship game.
2. Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Before the NCAA tournament, Jeff Withey was a solid role player for Kansas, but he's exploded on the big stage.
Withey has averaged 3.6 blocks this season and has 27 blocks in five tournament games. He's become one of the premier low-post defenders in college basketball and is also a good rebounder, securing eight boards in each of his past two games.
It's hard to imagine Withey not being drafted. But, if he finds a way to limit Anthony Davis in the national championship game, he's a potential first-round pick in the draft. The NCAA tournament has been huge for him and he has the chance to turn the world on its head on Monday.
1. Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
Terrence Jones has always been talented, but he was deemed immature and raw last season.
This season, he's had moments of immaturity, but overall, he's looked like a much better prospect, both mentally and physically.
The NCAA tournament has been great for Jones. He's contributed across the board for Kentucky: scoring, rebounding, swinging the ball around, and being disruptive on defense. He's averaged 12 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks in five tournament games.
Right now, I'm sky-high on Jones, and I actually think he'll be a better overall NBA prospect than Harrison Barnes. He has the opportunity to play his way into the lottery in the national championship game.
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