2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Frontcourt Gems with Big Potential

Everyone knows everything there is to know about Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but in this year's draft pool, there are a handful of dominant big men who will be just as dangerous in the NBA next year, even if they didn't go to Kentucky. 

They may not be selected in the first two spots—or even in the lottery—but some of them have even more potential than the Kentucky superstars.

Here's a complete first-round mock draft with special emphasis on the frontcourt stars flying under the radar. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis was far and away the best college player in 2011-12 and can immediately make a difference on a team that ranks among the worst in NBA history. 

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

The Wizards could use a point guard, but they could also use some star power in their frontcourt. Gilchrist isn't the pure shooter they need, but he is a player who can make an immediate impact and shore up their defense. He has so much upside that it's hard to believe Washington will pass him up. 

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

He ranked among the best players in college this season and has the athleticism, toughness and physique to be dominant in the NBA. 

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

He's the perfect size for an NBA small forward and is a great mid-range shooter with lots of athleticism. 

5. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is the best guard available. He can play either point or shooting guard, which is a great option for the Raptors to have with Demar DeRozan on the floor.  

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

He's a massive 6'11" and 270 pounds and is a force to be reckoned with in the paint. He does need more development offensively. 

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

His draft stock fell a bit when Beal declared, but as one of the top scorers in the nation in 2011-12, he has the confidence and the raw skills to be excellent at the next level. 

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

Last year, Sullinger could have been a top-five pick, but he stayed in school. Given the early entries of the Kentucky superstars and Bradley Beal, his stock has slipped, but his physicality and his high basketball IQ will serve him well in the league and keep him in the top 10. 

Even though the Pistons need a center, they should take a chance on Sullinger if he's still available at this stage. He is the most talented player still on the board, and though he is a bit undersized, he is an excellent rebounder and has the competitive drive to be a factor immediately. 

Sullinger offers the Pistons a player with the skills to be dominant on both ends of the floor, and his competitive nature will serve him well as he seeks to quell concerns about his athleticism. 

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

He's a natural leader on the floor and a terrific dribbler, but he's not the greatest scoring guard available.  

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

He's a physical threat at almost seven feet, but he still needs a lot of development as far as getting stronger.  

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

He leaves nothing to be desired in terms of size (6'11") and skill level, but one of the biggest knocks on him is his motivation. He still has to prove that he's consistently willing to play hard. 

It will be hard for GMs to stay away from him because he's such an alluring physical prospect, and he's a versatile forward who can play anywhere. But for someone his size, he's not quite as dominant as scouts would like to see. One of them told ESPN.com's Chad Ford that the reason for Jones' apparent passivity is that he was uncomfortable playing center:

"He really has the game of a two guard or a small forward…It's like, what if UConn had tried to play Rudy Gay at the 5? I think people would've had a very different opinion of him on draft night." 

Jones would be a bigger risk earlier in the lottery, but at this stage, he's a bargain. If he plays up to his potential, he'll be one of the best products of this draft. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

This Jones is also a bit of a wild card, but for a different reason. He's extremely athletic, is a great left-handed ball handler and is a terrific passer, but his shot shows some mechanics issues and he tends to fire away with abandon from three-point range. 

At this time last year, Jones was described as a potential top-five pick, but when he decided to stay in school and found his prime draft competition in his own locker room, he had to take a step back to make his team better. It wasn't an easy transition—there have been rumblings that getting him to play hard with consistency was a struggle at times. 

Still, Jones is described as a well-rounded forward who got over the motivation issues in the later part of the season. 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's been compared to Reggie Miller, and despite being just 6'5", he has a monster 7'1" wingspan. He's a player with tremendous upside and excellent transition skills. 

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

Henson could go anywhere from the late lottery to the late teens, but wherever he goes, he is certainly a shot-blocking threat with a lot of athleticism. 

15. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Rockets have a need for athletic big men, and with Henson off the board, Leonard is their next best bet. 

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

He immediately gives the Sixers an outside scoring threat and can be dominant—once he improves his shot selection. 

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

He has the size and the length to be dominant in the frontcourt and could play at either the 3 or the 4.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Doc Rivers' son is another wild card who could go late in the lottery or fall all the way to the late teens. He's the best point guard left, and once he gets over his tendency to be selfish with the ball, he could be a great floor general. 

19. New Jersey Nets: 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 Nets, he gives them a player who could be one of the top rookie guards out there if he develops his jump shot a little more. 

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

White has the potential to pay off in the frontcourt if he ends up with a coach who can help him harness his talents. There's no one better for the job than Doc Rivers. 

21. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Despite being a true seven-footer, Melo's stock is falling because of questions about his athleticism and his character (he was barred from this year's NCAA tournament because of academic issues). 

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Though he has a tendency to fade away for long stretches during games, he's the best 3 left on the board and has the size to rack up steals and deflections. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse

He's a combo-guard with great scoring ability who can also create for his teammates. 

24. Boston Celtics: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Having addressed the need to shore up the frontcourt with White, the Celtics go for the best remaining guard with their second pick. Teague could develop into a solid backup behind Rajon Rondo. 

25. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb gives the Pacers a solid ball-handler and scoring threat with the potential to be a serious threat from long range. 

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

He's dominant at both ends of the floor and his wingspan makes him one of the better shot-blockers in this class. 

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

The Michigan native played under Tom Izzo for four years, and though he's a little lacking in terms of athleticism, he has the upside to justify a first-round selection. 

28. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

His drastic improvement every season suggests that he has the upside and the drive to develop into one of the best power forwards in this draft. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

He's had four years to develop his game at Vanderbilt, and though he never became a bona fide star, he has the size and strength to be a dominant force in the frontcourt.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He's a bit undersized at 6'4", but his range makes him a dangerous deep-scoring threat, which Chicago loves.