2012 NBA Mock Draft: Skilled Upperclassmen Who Will Dominate

The trend in the NBA draft since high school players were banned is for teams to select high upside underclassmen.

These players don’t have a ton of tape on them, but GMs are often willing to gamble based on their immense athleticism and promise. Sometimes it works, such as in the case of Derrick Rose, and other times it does not (see Michael Beasley).

Let’s take a look at the latest full mock with the focus on some older players that have been around a bit longer and promise to make an immediate impact.

*Order Based on Current Record and Projected Finish

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is a phenomenal freshman that is a lock to go No. 1 overall. The only question remaining about this Wildcat is who will win the lottery and the privilege of selecting him.

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes is a natural scorer and finally declared for the NBA after making teams wait until after his sophomore season.

He’s definitely ready to become a franchise scorer and dominate at the next level.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson made one of the biggest leaps in terms of production this season with Kansas. As a junior he averaged 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per game.

Compare that to his sophomore season, in which he put up just 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.

The young man shined when given the opportunity, proving that he'll be a star at any level.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond has been as inconsistent as they come and has yet to figure out how to use his big 6’10, 270-pound frame. He’s a steal at No. 4 if he pans out and becomes a productive NBA center, but he’s also got a high chance of becoming a bust.

5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky 

MKG is a defensive force and will be able to be a contributor in the league from day one because of that. He’s an athletic freak but has to work on his offensive game to become a star, something that someone with his work ethic should have no problem doing.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb’s lack of focus and effort at times are concerning, but he’s simply too talented to be passed up here.

He’s a sophomore scoring prospect that, if mentally zoned-in, promises to be an absolute dynamo at the next level.

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

This Tar Heel will continue to provide length and athleticism to a blossoming Pistons frontcourt that features emerging star Greg Monroe.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Brad Beal, Florida

Beal is the ideal running mate for Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and gives them someone with the ability to hit a shot from anywhere who plays off the ball. He should definitely opt to go pro after a solid close to his freshman year.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger is finally declaring after his sophomore year and he’s going to have been worth the wait for a team like the Jazz who are looking to win now and get out of the rebuilding stage ASAP.

The Buckeyes star is as NBA-ready as a player can be and should make an immediate impact with his new team.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, Indiana

Zeller is a solid freshman prospect that needs to add weight if he wants to play center at the next level.

He’s got the talent to go in the top-ten, but he won’t be ready to bang with the big boys down low for at least another year.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard is the most explosive PG prospect in this class and has the ability to play both guard positions.

At 6’3”, 195-pounds, the Wildcats junior would be a perfect fit in the Trail Blazers backcourt. They know Raymond Felton isn’t a long term option at the point and Jamal Crawford is likely to leave this summer as a free agent.

Lillard’s versatility is key and a reason why he should be picked here.

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller is out of eligibility and one of the few seniors worthy of a first-round selection, let alone a lottery pick.

The UNC star is going to be a decent big man in the league and his speed up and down the court separates him from the pack. He won’t be a star, but he’s almost guaranteed to be a solid rotation player.

13. Utah Jazz: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller might not be ready for the post-collegiate game, but he’s still worthy of a pick here in the lottery for his tremendous upside at the small forward position. He’s drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and that’s never a bad thing.

14. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall is the best pure point guard in the class and a perfect fit to replace Steve Nash in Phoenix as a facilitator. 

15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Houston has been seeking size since Yao Ming retired and has yet to hit on a truly elite big man to patrol the paint.

Leonard is a few years from being ready to dominate, but he’ll immediately contribute as a big body.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Perry Jones, Baylor

PJIII is an extremely enigmatic prospect who was supposed to be battling for top spot on everyone's draft board. He just never put it all together on the court in college and teams are doubtful he will be able to against better opponents.

He’s still got upside a chance to be a star, which is exactly why the Nets must gamble on him to potentially revive their franchise.

17. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers was a semi-surprising one-and-done player this year. He’s got a skill set that seems better suited for the NBA game over college and he makes perfect sense in Boston for two reasons. One, the team needs a young shooting guard. Two, the coach is his father.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington

Washington had a disappointing end to their season missing the NCAA Tournament, but Ross starred in the NIT and dominated the opposition up until the semifinals.

He showed scouts that he’s a skilled all-around player and makes a great bench option immediately for Denver.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless has immense upside and the ability to become the third star that Atlanta needs to truly compete in the Eastern Conference against the likes of Miami and Chicago.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is one of the older players on the UK team that just won a national championship—and he’s 20.

The sophomore had some nice performances in the tournament and proved he’s got the upside and potential of a lottery pick, but consistency is still a concern.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

The senior marksman could be a lottery pick in most other drafts, but this one is too deep.

During the 2011-12 campaign, this kid dropped 16.1 PPG, grabbed 5.6 RPG, dished 1.7 APG and pilfered 1.3 SPG.

Not bad for a 6’7”, 225-pound forward.

22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters' ability to slash to the hoop rivals anyone in the 2012 class. He’s shown some concerning mental lapses, but he projects to be a solid bench scorer that could lead a second unit someday in the near future.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has the most upside of any point guard in the class and could eventually become a star. If he doesn’t pan out to be that good, he’s still a solid backup to Mike Conley Jr. in Memphis.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Boston desperately needs size and Moultrie—who is projected to go anywhere from the lottery to late-first—is the perfect fit.

25. Orlando Magic: C.J. Leslie, NC State

Leslie can play both forward positions and what he lacks in strength he makes up for in athleticism. The guy is a high flying monster and promises to be entertaining to watch.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Mitchell, North Texas

Mitchell’s small school status and lack of elite competition hurts his stock, but all reports have him as a gifted scorer.

Cleveland definitely needs someone to fill that need at the SF position.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green is a proven winner that can play defense. It’s a match made in heaven for coach Mark Jackson, who is trying to get his team to do both of these things.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson has a sweet mid-range game and a ton of experience playing in college, meaning he should be ready to contribute almost immediately behind Chris Bosh.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Melo destroyed his stock by missing the tournament, but he’s still a big body with upside.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a nice prospect at the end of the first to learn the ropes at the end of Chicago’s bench.