2012 NBA Mock Draft: Evan Fournier & International Stars Sure to Go in 1st Round

Last year, there were four non-North American born players taken in the first 10 picks of the NBA draft. But this year, there will be far less international players taken in the first round.

In fact, there probably won't be any international players taken in the lottery. However, this draft class is full of depth and talent at nearly every position.

Let's look at all the international stars expected to go in the first round of this year's NBA draft in this first-round fresh mock.

*Order based on projected finish.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

We all knew that Anthony Davis would be a fantastic player as a freshman, but I'm not sure we all thought he would dominate like he did, especially in the NCAA tournament. His unselfish play and strong defensive game make him a worthy No. 1 pick for a Bobcats team desperately needing a franchise-caliber big man.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson doesn't have the most potential of any player in the top five, but in terms of NBA readiness, he's near the top of this class.

Robinson's strength and fabulous rebounding skills will help him make a strong impact as a rookie. His low-post offensive game is also rapidly improving.

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

Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the most complete players in this class, and his ability to score and defend on the perimeter is quite impressive. 

He excels in transition but can also shine in the half court with his ability to get to the rim and finish against quality big men.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Many thought Andre Drummond would dominate this season and lead UConn on another championship run. He ended up struggling, and questions arose about his effort. Even though he didn't dominate at either end of the floor this season, his size and skill set are too good to ignore.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Brad Beal, Florida

Brad Beal is a tremendous outside shooter and would fit perfectly with likely Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. That would be one of the better young backcourts in the game.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes' poor NCAA tournament certainly hurt his draft stock, but he does have a ton of offensive talent. His ability to create his own shot and play multiple positions will be valuable to NBA teams.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb wasn't able to lead UConn back to March Madness as defending champs, but he's a quality shooting guard who can also run an offense as a point guard. 

8. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

John Henson is a lot like former first-round pick Austin Daye, who has not turned into the type of player that the Pistons would have hoped he'd be by now.

Henson, like Daye, is a skinny player who lacks a lot of size. However, Henson is a much better shot-blocker and has a good mid-range shot, which are two things Daye didn't have coming out of school.

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

Jared Sullinger was a good college player at Ohio State and had great success with the Buckeyes, but he's undersized as an NBA power forward. His defense also isn't anything to brag about. He could be a good pro player, but I could see him struggling against more athletic big men.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Damian Lillard, Weber State  

Damian Lillard would be a nice replacement for Chis Paul at point guard because he can score the basketball consistently and run an offense efficiently.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

The Blazers need a center badly after the Greg Oden's tenure in Portland ended up being a complete disaster due to injuries.

Zeller's ability to block shots, rebound well and stretch the floor with his outside shooting would really help the Blazers frontcourt.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Meyers Leonard is a raw talent, but the Bucks have to add a quality center through the draft or in free agency to make up for the loss of Andrew Bogut, who was traded to Golden State earlier this season.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

The Tar Heels point guard would be a fantastic replacement for Steve Nash, especially if the future Hall of Fame point guard decides to leave the team in the summer as a free agent.

Marshall also led college basketball in assists last season.

14. Utah Jazz: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

The Jazz need a point guard of the future, which makes Washington Huskies floor general Tony Wroten a good pick here due to his scoring ability and ball-handling skills.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb played very well at Kentucky this season, but his performances were often overshadowed by the other stars of the team, like Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist. Lamb is a reliable outside and mid-range shooter who often steps up in pressure situations.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Terrence Jones' decision to stay for his sophomore season at Kentucky turned out to be a smart one, as evidenced by his higher level of maturity and his improved offensive game. Jones' high level of athleticism would fit in quite nicely on a young and speedy 76ers team.

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

Jones is wildly inconsistent, which is so frustrating for people who watched him play regularly at Baylor. Sometimes he dominates against good teams, but other times he completely disappears.

He's a raw talent, but his ability to score in the paint and with an outside shot is impressive. If he can improve his defense and add some muscle, Jones will be a solid NBA player.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington

Terrence Ross is an NBA-ready talent who can contribute right away for the Denver Nuggets with his rebounding and defensive skills.

19. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt star is a talented offensive player who will be able to score at the next level with his mid-range shot and his ability to finish at the basket. If he can continue to improve defensively, he will be a solid NBA player.

20. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. John’s

The Atlanta Hawks don't have a shut-down defender who can contain opposing teams' best perimeter players. Moe Harkless is a long, quick player who keeps guys in front of him on defense and gives tremendous effort. 

21. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, Duke

I don't like this pick for the Celtics because point guard is not a need for them, but it will be tough for head coach Doc Rivers not to select his son if he's still on the board at pick No. 21.

Rivers is a good scorer and a decent playmaker, but he would be better off staying another year at Duke and developing his skills further and adding some strength.

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

The Magic need to improve their roster over the summer so they can convince star center Dwight Howard to re-sign long-term, which means they must select an NBA-ready player who can contribute right away with their first round pick.

C.J. Leslie is versatile forward with good size and a polished offensive game. He could shine as a rookie on a contending team like Orlando.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, Iowa State

White is a polished interior defender who will have no problem rebounding well in the NBA given his great size and strength.

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

One of the Celtics' first-round picks has to be used on a center since Boston is very thin at that position. Moultrie is a big player who will certainly benefit from Celtics coach Doc Rivers' ability to work with young players.

25. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Dion Waiters has a lot of scoring potential with his ability to get to the rim and finish in traffic. With his good athleticism, he would be a nice fit on a young Pacers team that likes to run a lot.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Fab Melo, Syracuse

One position the Cavaliers don't have enough depth or skill at is center, which makes Fab Melo a good pick in the late first round. His size, defense and rebounding abilities would be a nice addition to the Cleveland frontcourt.

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

The Warriors play zero defense, which is why the need a player like Draymond Green, who, at Michigan State, always gave tremendous effort at the defensive end of the floor. Green is a bit undersized, but he makes up for that with his great work ethic.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson has a good defensive game and rebounds well against quality big men, which are two things the Miami Heat don't have much of right now. If the Heat don't win the NBA title and decide to break up the "Big Three" in the summer, Chris Bosh could be the one to leave, which would make power forward a position of need.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, France

Evan Fournier of France is one of the best players in Europe right now and os the top shooting guard of the international class. The Thunder have had success with international players over the years, such as forward Serge Ibaka, and usually do a great job scouting overseas talent.

With some good depth at guard right now, the Thunder can afford to draft Fournier and let him develop overseas before brining him to the NBA.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic

Tomas Satoransky is a combo guard who has great size at 6'7", which is something the Bulls could use in their backcourt. His ability to be a good playmaker and shoot well from the outside makes him a great fit in the Bulls' system.

He has played in Spain for the last few years and is ready to make the jump to the NBA for the 2012-13 season.

Primary photo taken from here.

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