2012 NBA Mock Draft: College Studs Who Will Make Most Impact in Rookie Season

The 2012 NBA draft will be here before you know it, and it promises to be a very deep draft with quality talent spread throughout the first round.

As is the case with any draft, though, some guys will make much more of an impact during their rookie seasons than others. In my latest mock draft, I take a look at those players.

Here’s a look at some of the guys who will make the most impact next season.

The Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

No team needs a guy to come in and make an impact more than the Bobcats. Riding an 18-game losing streak, it would almost be a shame if they didn’t win the lottery and get to select Davis.

The Kentucky product is all but assured to go No. 1 overall and has the chance to make as much of an impact as anyone else in the draft, and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to do so.

Davis should make a huge impact on the defensive end with his length, his rebounding and shot-blocking skills, averaging 10.4 RPG and 4.7 BPG during his freshman season at Kentucky. Not only that, but his presence alone will change the way teams attack the paint on the Bobcats.

His defense grabs all of the attention, but Davis also shot 62 percent from the floor, so he has an offensive game as well. He’s going to have to add some muscle to that skinny frame, but Davis will still make an impact as a rookie.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

The Wizards also need an impact player, but they need a character guy and a winner as well. They can’t go wrong with either Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist here.

Robinson will have a huge impact as a rookie at both ends of the floor. He’s a relentless rebounder, pulling down 11.9 boards a game and has developed a nice offensive package as well.

He averaged 17.9 PPG in leading a less talented Kansas team to the title game, but has evolved from a dunker to a player with a solid post-game with decent face-up skills. John Wall should be licking his chops, as he’s finally going to get some talent to play with.

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

The rebuilding Hornets need to fill some holes, and they can’t pass on Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 3. He’s a natural leader and could become the face of the franchise immediately.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a guy who is not only a tremendous athlete who has a nice offensive package, shooting 49 percent from the floor, but he’s a player who’s committed to being great defensively. His leadership and talent can go a long way to turning the Hornets franchise around.

Five years from now when we look back at this draft, it’s very possible Kidd-Gilchrist could turn out to be the best player of this class.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond is a risk, but is a must-need pick here for Sacramento, as the Kings need a big body to pair with DeMarcus Cousins.

Next to Davis, Drummond has as much upside as anyone in the draft, and his rebounding (7.7 RPG) and shot-blocking (2.9 BPG) skills could come in handy. The Kings must shore up their interior defense, as they currently allow more points (104.6 PPG) than anyone else in the NBA.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Cleveland needs athletes and a guy with the ability to score, as they are only 25th in the NBA in scoring at 93.2 PPG.

Beal is a perfect fit here, averaging 14.8 PPG during his freshman season at Florida. He’s a guy who can shoot effectively off screens and off the dribble, knocking down 45 percent of his field-goal attempts. Beal has athleticism and range on his jumper, and could turn into the best pure scorer in the draft.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raptors must fill a need in landing a productive wing player, and Barnes, who averaged 17.7 PPG this season, is perfect for them.

Despite his struggles in the NCAA tournament, where he made only 33 percent of his attempts from the floor, Barnes has the chance to become a lethal scorer in the NBA.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Damian Lillard, Weber State

Portland can go multiple directions with this pick, but filling a need at the point guard spot with Lillard makes a lot of sense, especially with another pick coming up shortly.

Lillard is an explosive scorer, averaging 24.5 PPG on the season, and has the talent to play either guard spot. Unlike a lot of high scoring point guards, Lillard understands offensive basketball and gets his shots within the flow of the offense. While he’s primarily a scorer, he is also liked as a facilitator and at the defensive end of the floor.

While he averaged only 4.0 APG, playing with better talent around him in the NBA should increase that number dramatically. 

8. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Utah still holds onto this pick for now, but if it falls into the top seven, it becomes Golden State’s. Either way, Marshall is the guy they should target, so reaching for him at No. 8 isn’t that big of a deal.

He’s the best pure floor general in the draft, averaging 9.8 assists per game, and values the basketball, posting an impressive 3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio. Marshall makes everyone on the floor better, and could be great in Utah with a ton of frontcourt talent already in place.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

I may value Henson a little too high, but I love him or Arnett Moultrie for the Pistons here.

Detroit must get more athletic up front. Henson is not only freakishly athletic, but he would be a solid big to pair with Greg Monroe. His offense is raw and should come along with time, but the North Carolina product will help immediately on the glass (10.1 RPG) and as a shot-blocker (2.9 BPG).

No one in the draft other than Davis can cover the court at the defensive end the way Henson does, and because he’s so athletic, having Henson guarding the basket can help make up for his teammates' defensive mistakes.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

New Orleans adds another piece for the future in Sullinger, and while his athleticism comes into question, he should be an effective scorer and rebounder in the NBA. His post-game is outstanding, and if he proves he can have success against bigger and more athletic defenders, he could eventually post numbers similar to the 17.6 PPG and 9.3 RPG he did this season at Ohio State.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

With the ultra-athletic Moultrie, Portland now gets to add the big man they need. He can play the 4 or the 5, but has the athleticism and agility of a guard.

Moultrie can become an explosive NBA scorer and rebounder, and had a great season, averaging 16.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG. He can score inside, shooting 56 percent from the floor, but can also knock down the perimeter shot, nailing 44 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Jones has the talent to go much higher, but his inconsistencies will cause him to drop. Milwaukee needs a talented big man and Jones can play the 4, but they also need an upgrade at the 3, where he’s more likely to end up in the NBA.

The Baylor product only averaged 13.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG throughout his two seasons in college, but he runs like a deer and can jump through the gym and has a skill set like no one else in the draft. Taking the best talent on the board makes more sense here than reaching for a big man.

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, Duke

Adding both Marshall and Rivers to what Utah already has in place, and the Jazz could be the big winners in this draft.

Rivers gives Utah the shooting guard they need, and his skill set says he could become a very good one. After averaging 15.5 PPG at Duke, he showed that he’s a natural scorer. Once he develops a consistent jumper to go along with his quick first step, Rivers could turn out to become a very good NBA 2-guard.

His numbers aren’t terrible, shooting 43 percent from the floor and 37 percent from behind the arc, but they will improve once he learns how to play without the ball better and doesn’t rely on isolation so much.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

By missing the playoffs, Houston gets to keep this pick, which they might be better off doing since Lamb is a steal this late.

He’s a gifted scorer (17.7 PPG) who could become a No.1 scoring option within time. Kevin Martin is signed through next season and isn’t likely in the future plans for Houston.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Philadelphia could look at a 2-guard here, but Zeller is hard to pass on, considering the Sixers could also shore up their interior defense.

He may never turn into a big NBA star, but Zeller is a guy who will do a lot of things well. He shot .555 from the field and pulled down 9.6 RPG. Zeller is a legitimate center prospect and will compete at both ends of the floor.

16. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross is a solid shooting guard who stands 6'6" with length. He has range on his jumper, knocking down 37 percent of his attempts from behind the arc, and has the athleticism to do plenty of things well on the floor.

He’s a great rebounding guard (6.4 RPG) and is solid on the offensive end. Offensively, Ross is also athletic enough to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.

17. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

The Rockets go big with their second pick and get their center of the future with Leonard.

He will have to develop some and add a little more muscle, but the skills are there, averaging 13.6 PPG and shooting .584 from the floor, while pulling down 8.2 RPG and blocking 1.9 shots a night.

18. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters is a nice fit in Denver, as his speed and scoring ability fits in nicely with Denver’s up-tempo attack. He is excellent in transition and has a decent perimeter shot (36 percent).

It’s doubtful Waiters is an NBA point guard, but he will be a very good scorer who can play either with the ball in his hands or without it.

19. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Dallas gets younger and more athletic with Jones, who has the talent to go much higher.

He’s got size and length to play the 3, standing 6'9", and can score at all three levels, shooting 50 percent from the floor and 33 percent from behind the arc. Jones also holds his own on the defensive end and is a very good rebounder, pulling down 8.0 RPG throughout his two seasons at Kentucky.

20. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Another Kentucky player is off the board, as the Magic get their point guard of the future in Teague. He’s got some developing to do, but he’s lightning quick and sees the floor very well.

He needs to work on his shot (41 percent from the floor) and taking better care of the ball, as his assist-to-turnover ratio was only 1.75. But he’s got a world of talent and could become a very good NBA point guard in time. 

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure 

Nicholson could be the steal of the draft and can help fill a need in Boston as a productive young big body.

He’s a guy who did it all at St. Bonaventure, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting 57 percent from the floor and 47 percent from beyond the arc. That’s not all though, as Nicholson also pulled down 8.5 points per night and 2.0 BPG.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Hawks could use a legitimate shooting guard, and Lamb could turn out to be a great fit in Atlanta. He’s only 6'4", but has the length and quick release to counteract that.

Lamb can be a lethal scorer when he’s going well, and if he can shoot anything like the 47 percent he did this season from three-point range, he’s going to put up huge numbers.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten is a gamble, but he’s one that could end up paying off. Talent-wise, he could turn out to be one of the best four or five players in the draft, but he’s got some developing to do. Fortunately, the Grizzlies are in a position where they can be patient with him.

He’s got all the talent in the world, but must improve in some areas, most notably taking care of the ball, where he averaged 3.8 turnovers per game. Wroten also must develop a perimeter shot, knocking down only 16 percent of his long-distance attempts.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

The Celtics could use some perimeter shooting to replace Ray Allen, but also remember that they will have a ton of money to play with in the offseason. Boston also will need to think about replacing Paul Pierce in the future.

White has the all-around talent to make an impact right away. He’s got great size at 6'9", but has the speed and floor vision of a guard. He not only averaged 13.4 PPG and 9.8 RPG, but also led the Iowa State team in assists with 5.1.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a great athlete who can come in and make an impact for the Cavs. Defensively, he’s going to be a very good perimeter defender and has a solid offensive package that included him adding a perimeter shot, knocking down 42 percent of his attempts as a senior after connecting just nine percent of the time as a sophomore. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Adding Harkless makes Indiana even more athletic and dangerous.

He had a good freshman season at St. Johns, averaging 15.3 PPG and 8.6 RPG. He’s long and explosive with a good offensive game—but while he has the ability to become a good NBA slasher, his true value could come on the defensive end of the floor.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

The Heat need a big body, and Ezeli could become a solid NBA center.

He will need to develop an offensive game, but already has a nice hook shot and shot 60 percent from the floor, so he’s got a good touch around the rim.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green can play the 3 or the 4 and help fill a need for both on the Thunder bench.

He doesn’t do any one thing great, but he does almost everything very well. Green’s play in the NCAA tournament left an impression after a triple-double and a pair of double-doubles. He may never be a great NBA player, but will be quietly productive.

29. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Kris Joseph, Syracuse

The Warriors need a productive small forward, and Joseph may be the best one left on the board. He had a productive season, averaging 13.8 PPG and 4.9 RPG, and is a very talented player with a knack for making things happen at both ends of the floor.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

The Bulls get a shooting guard here with potential to take some pressure off Derrick Rose down the line.

Jenkins is the best shooter in this class and has unlimited range, shooting 44 percent from behind the arc on the season. He can at least make an impact off the bench right away for Chicago.

Next Five

Fab Melo, Syracuse

Kevin Jones, West Virginia

Drew Gordon, New Mexico

William Buford, Ohio State

Herb Pope, Seton Hall