2012 NBA Mock Draft: Early-Entry Stars That Will Shape Their Teams' Futures

The Kentucky Wildcats shook things up in the NBA mock draft world when the entire starting lineup made it official that they will enter this year's draft.

So where does that leave the rest of the draft pool?

In this year's class, there is a ton of viable talent that will be entering the fray before their college edibility is up. In fact, there are very few graduating seniors going early in this year's first round.

Here's a complete mock draft focusing on the abundant early-entry talent in this year's class.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The Bobcats are in a bad, bad way right now and they desperately need a superstar like Davis to resurrect the franchise and get the fans excited again.

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

Davis' partner in crime at Kentucky was one of five Wildcats to officially declare for the NBA draft on Tuesday, and he'll be right behind his old teammate in the order.

The decision to declare wasn't an easy one for Kidd-Gilchrist, who became emotional at the podium and went against his mother's wishes in declaring. Though his decision might be unpopular with his family, his mother will still be on his mind. Kidd-Gilchrist told the Associated Press: 

"

I want to spoil my mom. I think I’m going to spoil my mom to death. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to. I’m ready, I think. I’m ready for anything that comes my way now. 

"

The Wizards have faced season after season of disappointment, but with Kidd-Gilchrist leading the charge in the frontcourt, the team can quickly begin to change directions.

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

The team that lost to the Wildcats in the NCAA championship will also lose one of its most dominant players to the draft. The junior is one of the best forwards on the board (it's between him and UNC product Harrison Barnes), but the Hornets go for Robinson because of his wingspan and his impressive performance in the tournament.

At 6'8", Robinson may not have the perfect height for an NBA power forward, but he makes up for it with his wingspan and his athleticism. He's very quick for a player of his size and has the energy and drive to compete consistently at high levels. 

Robinson drastically improved his production during the 2011-12 season, registering 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

4. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

If the Hornets pass on Barnes, the Kings certainly won't. The 19-year-old is leaving North Carolina after two years and, most recently, a disappointing run in the NCAA tournament, but he has the fundamentals and the intelligence to make an impact right now.

Barnes is one of the best small forwards on the board and is a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Though he doesn't possess the same quickness as Robinson and needs to add some strength, he's a good kid with a tremendous ceiling and a high basketball IQ. He also has the defensive skills to make an impact on both ends of the floor.

If Barnes had declared last year, he could've been a potential No. 1 selection. This year, he falls because of the Kentucky talent frontloading the draft.

5. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal changed the entire complexion of the draft when he declared in mid-April and will be the first point guard off the board. The All-Freshman selection registered 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for the Gators.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Drummond won't be ready to start in 2012-13 because he needs more development offensively, but he could be a solid backup for the Cavs while he takes time to adjust and improve.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

His draft stock fell a bit when Beal declared, but he still offers the Trail Blazers a versatile guard who can score and run the point.

8. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Though the Pistons need a center and Tyler Zeller is still on the board, Sullinger is the most talented remaining forward who is a great rebounder and can help immediately.

9. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall would've been a top-10 pick with or without Beal declaring, and he doesn't slide too far down as a result. The Jazz need some talent at point guard and Marshall shows a lot of upside.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Hornets will be thrilled if Zeller is still on the board at this stage. He offers them the size they need, along with the bonus of athleticism and scoring ability.

11.  Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Jones may be one of the best players left on the board at this point. He offers Portland a player with serious athleticism and a lot of upside to complement Lillard.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones will be the third Wildcat off the board and despite inconsistency throughout his short college career, he's versatile enough to contribute offensively and defensively wherever the Bucks have a hole next season.

13. Utah Jazz: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

He has great size and an unbelievable wingspan for his position. His clutch shooting and his jump shot aren't too bad, either.

14. Phoenix Suns: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Suns have a lot of needs, and Henson gives them a terrific shot-blocker with tons of athleticism.

15. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Rockets need size in the frontcourt, and Leonard—though he's not quite ready to be a starter—is an athletic player with a ton of upside.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Philly needs a scorer and Ross gives them a great athlete with lots of range who can immediately improve a lagging offense.

17. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

At 6'5", Moultrie is unusually athletic and is a terrific rebounder, as evidenced by the 10.5 per game he averaged his sophomore year.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Character concerns aside, Rivers is the best point guard left on the board and is worth a selection here, despite his tendency to be selfish with the ball. It's something he'll just have to grow out of in the NBA.

19. New Jersey Nets: C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State

This is high for Leslie, but New Jersey needs a big guy up front and Fab Melo is too risky. Leslie is the best power forward left on the board and he increased his stock by leading NC State's deep-ish run in the NCAA tournament.

20. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

He's the kind of wild card who can thrive with a nurturing coach, making him a great fit for Doc Rivers and the Celtics. He gives them some much-needed youth up front.

21. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

There are some character concerns with  Melo—he was barred from the NCAA tournament because of an academic suspension—but the seven-footer is appealing to a Magic team who may be looking for a long-term Dwight Howard replacement.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Swedish small forward is the best option left at his position and he's one of the few seniors worthy of a first-round selection.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Wroten's stock is still increasing and he could go at 18 instead of Rivers, but if he falls to the Hawks, he's a steal who gives them a great bench option behind Jeff Teague.

24. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Boston continues to improve its frontcourt with Nicholson, who has shown vast improvement season after season and whose high basketball IQ indicates he hasn't quite reached his ceiling.

25. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The fourth Wildcat off the board, Teague is a player who made everyone on the court better this season and proved he can still make an impact  when surrounded by top-tier talent.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

He had a great freshman season at St. John's and has a very appealing wingspan that will make him a serious shot-blocking threat.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Four years under Tom Izzo served him well. Another senior worthy of a first-round selection, he has the intangibles that will allow him to triumph despite a little less athleticism than others at the position.

28. Golden State Warriors: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

His athleticism is a bit lacking, but Jones established himself as a solid shooter and rebounder in a super-competitive Big East this season.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb rounds out the Kentucky selections in the first round and offers the Thunder a scoring threat with solid ball-handling skills.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He's one of the best shooters in the college game and, though undersized at 6'4", is enough of an offensive threat to earn a first-round selection.