NBA Draft 2012: Prospects Who Will Benefit from Other Stars Staying in School

More often than not, potential lottery picks in the NBA draft don't stay in school, but Indiana's Cody Zeller and North Carolina's James McAdoo defied convention when they announced they would be remaining with their respective programs.

Some 2012 draft prospects will benefit from Zeller and McAdoo's return to college, not to mention Quincy Miller's decision to stay at Baylor.

Here are the top-three prospects who will consequently rise up draft boards.

3. Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

Damian Lillard was already a potential Top 10 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, with many draft experts proclaiming he would land with the Utah Jazz or the New Orleans Hornets. 

But Zeller would have been a fine big man for the Portland Trail Blazers, currently situated at No. 7 in the draft. With Zeller back in school, the Trail Blazers could look for their next point guard of the future, and Lillard has the scoring ability and athleticism to be a solid starter in the NBA. 

I expect Portland to grab Lillard when all is said and done. 

2. Terrence Ross, SF (Washington)

Terrence Ross is largely considered one of the top small forwards in this year's draft class, given his explosiveness and scoring ability, as well as his length and leaping ability on defense. 

But, there was the possibility Miller would have been drafted ahead of Ross, given Miller's potential and upside. Now that he is out of the way, Ross has a shot at landing with the Philadelphia 76ers or Denver Nuggets in the Top 20.  

1. Terrence Jones, F (Kentucky)

First of all, I'm a big fan of Terrence Jones. He's battled questions about his maturity and consistency while at Kentucky, but he showed up big time during the NCAA tournament, and I think those questions have quieted down now.

With McAdoo and Zeller deciding to stay in school, two forwards are off the board, which gives Jones a great shot at being a lottery pick this year.

Jones will help in multiple areas—including offense, rebounding and defense—and he has the ability to be a Lamar Odom-type player in the NBA. I have him going to the Hornets at No. 10 overall after they draft Kansas' Thomas Robinson at No. 3 overall.

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