NBA Draft 2012: Predicting Pro Success for Kentucky's Stars

With Kentucy's five stud underclassmen declaring for the NBA draft, and all of the ridiculous talk surrounding whether or not they could beat the pitiful Charlotte Bobcats, it seems only fitting to predict how each player will develop in the NBA.

Are there any stars in this group? Potential duds? Boring role players? Let's speculate.

Anthony Davis

Not only will he be a stud at the next level, he has the potential to become one of the most game-changing defensive players in the past 25 years.

His shot-blocking ability is second to none for a player his age. He's long, athletic and intense on the court, and seems to have the desire to dominate. His offensive game needs some polish, but his freakish athleticism and potential to develop somewhat of a perimeter game give him a lot of potential on the offensive end.

Oh, and he's an excellent rebounder as well. Davis has star written all over him. He'll be a worthy top overall pick.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

He has winner written all over him.

His willingness to play a complete game, from providing suffocating on-ball defense, to rebounding, to running the floor and contributing on the offensive end make him a truly complete player.

He's a natural leader who puts the team first. He's at his best running the floor and finishing at the rim, where his natural athleticism shines. He too has an offensive game and jump shot that needs some work, but he's the type that will live in the gym.

He won't be the transcendent star Davis could become, but he has all of the intangibles to be an excellent player, solid leader and consistent winner at the next level. He's absolutely worth a top-five pick.

Terrence Jones

Jones will likely be a late lottery pick, and deservedly so—he's a very good athlete who can fill several roles on a team's front line. For Kentucky this year, he was asked to play on the block, and he responded admirably, providing solid defense and rebounding for the team.

But Jones also has the ability to play on the perimeter and slash toward the basket, almost in the same vein as a Lamar Odom.

And like Odom, he's prone to plain old disappearing from time to time.

Jones is a player that could push a good team toward being great, but he'll never be a consistent first or second option. His best bet is an off the bench role ala Lamar Odom.

Doron Lamb

He scored 22 in the national title game, so there's no question he can step up when the lights get bright.

Lamb is a crafty, smooth ball-handler who can seriously stroke it from beyond the arc. As with everyone else on this Kentucky team, he plays good defense and always gives optimal effort.

Lamb won't be a star, but he looks a very solid shooting guard that will be an above-average defender and shooter at the next level.

Marquis Teague

Teague led the Wildcats in assists this season, a big transition for a player who came to Kentucky out of high school as a score-first player. In one season, Teague took amazing strides toward becoming a complete point guard.

He got his teammates involved. He lowered his turnovers. He attacked offensively when the defense gave him open looks. He became Kentucky's quarterback.

Teague has a lot of potential, and his natural scoring ability paired with a willingness to become a complete point guard will serve him well at the next level. I think he'll be a late-round steal, and an above-average to very good point guard at the next level.