NBA Draft 2012: Predictions for Top College Studs at the Next Level

It's one thing to predict the order in which top prospects will be selected come June, but figuring out what happens after that is another story altogether.

There are at least 10 to 15 players in this draft with the potential of becoming legitimate stars in the NBA, but it's awfully hard to know which ones are which. It's even harder to know if that potential will translate into real success.

Still, in comparison to other drafts, there appear to be some options this time around that won't disappoint entirely. Thanks to Kentucky and North Carolina fielding quasi-pro starting lineups this season, some of these guys should be able to settle right in and get their NBA careers off to a running start.

Where will those careers go from there? That's anyone's guess, but here are some predictions. 

Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Anthony Davis is a freakish athlete who could become one of the most versatile and defensively important bigs in the NBA. Imagine a Marcus Camby in his prime, only with even more scoring ability and sheer talent. 

It would be a shock if Davis isn't selected first overall in June's draft—he's a proven winner capable of competing at a high level on both ends of the court. Even if it takes him time to become a consistent scorer in the league, he'll create havoc in the paint for opposing offenses.

Prediction: There might not be MVP awards in Davis' future, but he should make it to more than a few All-Star games. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist is almost certainly the best small forward in the draft thanks to his leadership and competitive edge. He already plays defense and does the little things that a star does. That means that at the very worst, he should be able to do all the same stuff a guy like Andre Iguodala does.

If he develops his outside shots and becomes a more lethal scorer, he could become even better though.

Prediction: If the offense comes together with a little more time and polish, Kidd-Gilchrist could be a less other-wordly version of LeBron James.

Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

Robinson can do it all, and he helped his draft stock with an excellent performance in the NCAA tournament. He doesn't have ideal size for the pro level, but he'll make up for it with skill, hustle and a great set of physical tools.

He could also be one of the best scoring fours to be found in this draft—Robinson has a solid mid-range game and the quickness to mix it up in the paint. 

Prediction: Robinson could wind up like a slightly smaller version of LaMarcus Aldridge, albeit it with more of a bulldog mentality inside.

Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Arguably no player in this draft has a better combination of size and strength, but there remain some questions about Drummond's ability to contribute consistently and play up to NBA standards. He'll still go pretty high in the lottery thanks to a frame that could soon hold its own against Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard.

Prediction: It may take Drummond a few years to put it all together, but—like Bynum—he should wind up an All-Star after a little time and patience.  

Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes would instantly improve just about any team's perimeter defense thanks to his length and athleticism. His offensive game is less certain, though—we know he can shoot, but we don't yet know what else he'll be able to do. 

Prediction: It's become en vogue to claim that Barnes is overrated, but that's a bit harsh. At worst, he'll wind up like Marvin Williams, but he could just as likely take the next step and become more like Joe Johnson. It wouldn't be surprising to see multiple All-Star games in Barnes' future. 

Bradley Beal, G (Florida)

Beal is an exceptional scorer and could eventually be remembered as one of this draft's biggest steals. He does a little bit of everything and has found a way to impress NBA scouts despite not having what's so often termed "NBA size."

Prediction: Beal should be the next Eric Gordon—they have very similar frames and talent.

Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Jones III has exceptional length, athleticism and speed. Much like the other Jones likely to go in the lottery, this kid just doesn't seem like he's focused and giving 100 percent of his effort all of the time. When he's good, he's really good though.

Prediction: In the best scenario, Jones III could end up a little something like Kevin Garnett—at worst, he could turn into a bit of a long-term project like Anthony Randolph (and who knows what that means, yet?).   

Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

Terrence Jones arguably has the best upside of anyone in this draft, but he's yet to prove he knows what to do with all that talent and physical ability. At the very least, he'll do an above-average job at just about everything—passing, rebounding, scoring, you name it.

Prediction: Jones could wind up being the next Thaddeus Young (not a bad thing), or he could become a significantly better version of that. It's still way too soon to know.

Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

Zeller moves well, plays hard and has a great shooting touch for a seven-footer. A big guy with skill and good hands is a rare find, and that makes Zeller a prime lottery selection. He could get pushed around a little early in his NBA career, but a couple offseasons in the weight room should do the trick.  

Prediction: It's hard to imagine Zeller becoming an All-Star any time soon, but his game could look a little like a mash-up of Marcus Camby and Pau Gasol.

John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

Henson is a great athlete who could immediately impact any interior defense with his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities. He's got a motor that may be second only to Anthony Davis among this year's bigs and represents a solid consolation prize for teams missing out on Davis, Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond.

Some strength and extended shooting range would help Henson out, but that's typical even among the best young prospects.

Prediction: Henson could be well on his way to becoming the next Serge Ibaka. That's saying a lot, because we still don't know just how high Ibaka's ceiling will be. 

Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

There's no questions Rivers is a smart player who can score in a lot of different ways. But, whether he's big enough, athletic enough and deferential enough are all very separate questions. He'll need to improve shift his mindset a bit more to passing and running an offense at the pro level, but he's got the pedigree to do just that.

Prediction: Rivers could have star potential, but the better odds are that he comes a really good sixth man.

Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sullinger could struggle against the NBA's longer front lines, but his strength and talent will at least give him a chance to compensate for that. Sullinger is also pretty skilled for his age, and lottery teams may be willing to bet that his sheer power and IQ will get the job done.     

Prediction: He should be better than similarly framed guys like Glen Davis, but he may not be versatile enough to become the next Carlos Boozer. 

Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

Lamb has a lot of talent, but it's hard to tell where he'll wind up going in the draft. The questions surrounding him have more to do with attitude and drive than they do skills, so it make take a few interviews to sell teams with the highest selections.  

Prediction: Lamb could look a lot like Jamal Crawford with superior defensive tools thanks to his length. That defensive ability might make him more of a starter than sixth man—so, he could be even better than Crawford eventually.

Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

Ross has the ideal versatility and skill set for an NBA two guard, and he could be a steal in the latter half of this oh so deep first round. 

Prediction: He probably won't be the next Kobe Bryant, but he could easily wind up playing a bit like J.R. Smith—who himself has still-undiscovered upside.