2012 NBA Mock Draft: Which Prospects Will Exceed Expectations?

There's nothing like getting a future star at a bargain.

Every year, a few prospects surprise everybody and play above expectations, settling into a starting role before anyone can even blink and process it all.

The 2012 NBA draft has its fair share of future superstars, but there are some prospects who aren't getting their due respect.

Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with prospects who will outplay their draft positions (in italics).

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis has now become the unquestioned top player in the draft, and he fills a need for the Bobcats. His explosiveness at the rim, shot-blocking and rebounding could make him an immediate star in the NBA.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

A do-it-all prospect, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's talent is paralleled only by his dedication and work ethic. He'll be an instant clubhouse favorite and he figures to be a leader down the line.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Ever since David West left town, the Hornets have been looking for their power forward of the future. Thomas Robinson is a physical specimen, which allows him to crash the rim and the boards.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond has questions about his desire, but his measurables and ability to dominate in the interior, both offensively and defensively, make him hard to pass up in the Top 5.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

After drafting Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers need someone to plop alongside him in the backcourt. Bradley Beal is arguably the best shooting guard in the draft. He's an explosive scorer, both inside and outside, rebounds well for his position and is a solid man-to-man defender.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes is one of the most electric scorers in the draft, and the Raptors need someone besides Andrea Bargnani to carry the load offensively. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Damian Lillard proved to be one of the most explosive scorers in the country last season, averaging 24.5 points per game for Weber State. He can get to the rim almost at will and should open things up for his teammates in Portland.

8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Perry Jones is another one of those prospects with character concerns, but, like Drummond, it's hard to ignore what he could do in the NBA if it all came together. He's one of the most explosive and athletic prospects in the class and he has the ability to be a handful scoring the ball and crashing the glass.

9. Utah Jazz (via GS): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft, bar none. His teammates at North Carolina called him "Butter" because he spread it around so well. Potentially the next Deron Williams. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Terrence Jones has matured considerably since his early days at Kentucky, and he showed that in the NCAA tournament this year. He's a natural point-forward who does several things well. With him and Robinson, the Hornets could score big.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

The second-best shooting guard in the class, Jeremy Lamb glides across the floor and has become a very dangerous mid-range shooter. Beyond that, his length allows him to be disruptive on defense and could complete a dynamic combo with Lillard.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Given his ability to run the floor and soft touch around the rim, Tyler Zeller is a great fit with speedsters Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. He's not a bad rebounder either.

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers needs to work on playing better within the game, which is why many believed he should have stayed one more year at Duke, but there is no questioning his potential scoring the basketball, and pairing him up with Marshall could help him transition to the NBA. 

14. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters has the talent to be a lottery pick. He's explosive driving through the lane, finishes like a pro, rebounds and plays stingy defense. He can be a little selfish sometimes with the ball, but he's one of those players whose talent is hard to ignore. 

15. Houston Rockets (via NY): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Meyers Leonard is raw, but it's hard to find a solid center prospect, and Leonard has the potential to be the Rockets' next starting center with his size, scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking ability. I like his chances of being an impact player in the pros.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger's post game, rebounding ability and knowledge of the game could make him a lottery pick, but there are concerns about his explosiveness, and he didn't help himself against Kansas in the NCAA tournament. I see him being a solid pro player, though, and the potential successor to Elton Brand in Philadelphia. 

17. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

I actually think John Henson could be a better NBA player than Sullinger, given his athleticism and ability to impact games defensively. It's going to be interesting to see how the two prospects develop.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

Terrence Ross would be a great fit in Denver, given his scoring ability, explosiveness on the fast break and defense. George Karl could use him at both shooting guard and small forward. 

19. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

People are split on Tony Wroten. His ability to flash into the lane and make spectacular passes is uncanny, but he was wildly inconsistent at Washington. A team like the veteran-laden Mavericks could help smooth him out. He could either be a steal or a flop here—it's up in the air at this point.  

20. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Grizzlies could use depth at center and Fab Melo proved to be one of the premier defenders in college basketball last season. His one-on-one defense and shot-blocking ability is impressive. He's raw offensively, but that's not what you draft him for.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State

Royce White is a question mark given his character concerns and anxiety disorder, but his talent is undeniable. He's a point-forward at heart, with the ability to defend multiple positions and his performances against UConn and Kentucky in the NCAA tournament speak for themselves. He provides immediate depth for the Hawks, with a chance of succeeding Josh Smith if he leaves town.

22. Orlando Magic: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

With Fab Melo off the board, the Magic could go with Festus Ezeli. Ezeli is still raw offensively, but, like Melo, he provides a defensive presence and he's a better rebounder.

23. Boston Celtics: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

I really like Jeff Taylor's game. He's a solid defensive player who has paired his explosiveness with an emerging mid-range game, and there is no questioning his desire. Sounds like a good fit with the Celtics.

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

There are concerns about Doron Lamb's size at shooting guard (6'4"), but his wingspan makes up for it in my mind. It's a joy to watch this kid shoot the basketball and he's one of the premier sharp-shooters in the class. He shot 46 percent from three-point range last season at Kentucky.

25. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Moe Harkless has the length and explosiveness to make him a terror driving to the lane, and he's a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, as well. He needs to work on his mid-range game, but there's time for that. He could grow behind Danny Granger in Indiana.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie could very well go earlier than this, but he's hard to pass up if he lands here. His explosiveness and athleticism around the rim is scary, and he can even drop dimes. He would provide frontcourt depth for the Cavs.

27. Miami Heat: Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas

The Heat are going to be in a tough position if Melo and Ezeli both get selected earlier in the draft. There really isn't another center prospect worth taking in the first round in my mind. In that case, I could see them reaching for a point guard here in Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor is a bit wild and inconsistent, and he needs to play better within the game, but he does have the potential to be an impact player with his speed, athleticism and size. 

28. Golden State Warriors (via SA): C.J. Leslie, SF, N.C. State

If Dorell Wright repeated last season's numbers, I could see the Warriors adding defensive depth with someone like Andrew Nicholson, but they have an immediate need at small forward now and C.J. Leslie has the potential to be a dependable NBA starter. His explosiveness and athleticism allows him to crash into the lane, rebound and play solid, disruptive defense.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

If Andrew Nicholson can add some bulk, he has the potential to play above his draft position. He's a long, athletic big man who will rebound and block shots for you and he has three-point range. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

I'm a true believer in Will Barton. Largely considered a second-round prospect in many draft circles, I see him as a legit first-rounder. Not only did he display leadership qualities at Memphis, he greatly improved his mid-range shooting and averaged eight rebounds as a shooting guard. I like him in Chicago alongside Derrick Rose.