NBA Draft 2012: Top Prospects Who Will Have Huge Impact in Their Rookie Years

Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Davis has all the athletic tools and talent a scout could ask for, and—more importantly—he's a proven winner. He might not score much as a rookie, but there's no question he'll make an immediate and sizable impact defensively. It doesn't take much professional experience to learn what to do with this kind of length, quickness and jumping ability.

Those skills should translate into Marcus Camby-like defense. Davis will get plenty of hustle points and can finish around the rim effectively—but until his offensive skills develop further, he'll be a very effective defensive specialist and rebounding machine. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist is the complete package, and he has the kind of focus and intensity that will allow him to thrive immediately in the NBA. His outside shot is a work in progress, but that didn't stopped all-around athletes like Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose from making exceptional contributions as rookies.

That's not to say Kidd-Gilchrist will immediately be in the running for Rookie of the Year honors, but it certainly wouldn't be surprising. Whatever teams winds up with him probably has a desperate need for help on the wing—just imagine the minutes this guy would see with the Charlotte Bobcats or Washington Wizards.

And while it won't show up in the box score, Kidd-Gilchrist will also make his presence felt defensively, as a young pro mature beyond his years.  

Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

Robinson's physical presence and energy will make him a capable rebounder and hustle-guy from the outset. He'll also have decent shooting range for a rookie power forward and should be something of an early-bloomer. That doesn't mean Robinson has the same upside as some of the others on this list, but he has the work ethic of a winner and should improve quickly in his first season. 

Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Drummond will give his team an immediate upgrade defensively, but we all know his freshman campaign at UConn was inconsistent enough to raise some flags. If Drummond lacks any mental discipline at the NBA level, he could shuffle in and out of a rotation. It might not turn into a Hasheem Thabeet type of situation, but it probably won't be a Blake Griffin kind of situation either.

Drummond's rookie campaign will yield mixed results. He will impress at times, and he will disappoint as well. 

Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

We know Barnes is already pretty good and certainly more polished than many of his peers. Just how good he'll wind up being is another question altogether. Barnes will be used mostly as a spot-up shooter on the wing. He may find himself getting into trouble by putting the ball on the floor at this point in his development, and his decision-making will need to improve like most rookies entrusted with extensive scoring duties.

Nevertheless, he should be able to start for a team from day one and make it better in the process. He'll get his points, and he'll play good enough defense to earn regular minutes.

Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)

If Beal settles in well, he could see enough action to earn some Rookie of the Year consideration. This guy will start to look good sooner rather than later.

Eric Gordon's rookie year could be a useful model for projecting what Beal can do—Gordon averaged over 16 points on 46 percent shooting. Not bad for a rookie (or a veteran for that matter). Of course, much depends on the team that drafts Beal and how it plans on using him, but this guy can put up points in a hurry and will turn some heads. 

Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Marshall has great size, uncanny passing ability and could wind up playing like a bigger version of Jose Calderon. If he winds up with a team that's already somewhat established, you could see him run the offensive with veteran composure. Quite simply, he's a born floor general and should get his share of minutes whether starting or coming off the bench.

Austin Rivers, PG (Duke)

If Austin Rivers eventually learns to play the point, he could become a versatile backcourt asset with All-Star potential. Even if he doesn't, though, he'll be a completely viable sixth man willing to put the offense on his shoulders. Given his winning pedigree and obvious talent, Rivers should adapt quickly to life in the NBA.

Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

There are no questions about Jeremy Lamb's talent, but it's not entirely clear that he has the drive to excel in the NBA. Still, if he puts the work in, he could easily put together a rookie campaign on par with what MarShon Brooks has done this season (12.7 points in over 29 minutes a game).

Given the depth of this draft class, there's a good chance Lamb could go to a team that doesn't have a ton of minutes for Lamb right off the bat. In that scenario, his production could take a hit, and we may not see what he's fully capable of doing.