NBA Draft 2012: Underrated Sleepers Who Will Make Impact as Rookies
When looking at the 2012 NBA draft, most people consider it very deep on talent.
It's easy to predict that projected top picks such as Kentucky's Anthony Davis or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will become future NBA stars, but what can make or break a team's draft is finding a potential sleeper or two along the way.
There are plenty out there to be had, so let's take a look at some underrated players that have a chance to make an impact as rookies.
Jae Crowder, Marquette
Crowder won't be selected in the first round and likely could slip to the middle of the second round, but the guy is a player and will find a way to make an impact somehow.
At 6'6", Crowder doesn't have the size to play the 3 in the NBA and will be switching back to the 2, but he's a guy who can put up numbers, including shooting 50 percent from the floor this past season. He'll have to improve his perimeter shooting to play the shooting guard in the NBA, but he shot a respectable 35 percent on the season, so it's not like he doesn't have the tools.
Drew Gordon, New Mexico
Gordon's size and athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect.
He possesses outstanding leaping skills and a very good mid-range game, which could even make him switch to the 3 in the NBA. Gordon had a very good season in which he averaged 13.7 PPG and 11.1 RPG.
He posted those numbers without a great post game, which is something that he needs to figure out, but he can play the game and knows how to finish, shooting 55 percent from the floor on the year.
Herb Pope, Seton Hall
Similar to Crowder and Gordon, Pope's unlikely to go in the first round, but he's got first-round type talent.
His rebounding skills (10.4 RPG) should find him a spot in an NBA rotation. If his offensive game (15.1 PPG) continues to come along, Pope could turn into a pretty good NBA player.
Alex Young, IUPUI
If a team is in need of a scorer, Young could be a potential steal in Round 2.
Young has the chance to be a volume scorer in the right situation, after averaging a combined 19.5 points per game through his last three seasons in college.
Some may point to the lack of quality competition Young faced as a drawback, but this guy can play the game and could turn into a big surprise.
Scott Machado, Iona
NBA teams looking for point guard help may want to wait until the second round and target Machado, who led college basketball in assists at 9.9 per game.
He has great floor vision and has a better offensive game than a guy like Kendall Marshall does right now. In addition to the whopping assists numbers, Machado averaged 13.6 PPG while shooting 50 percent from the floor.
He also has range on his jumper, hitting 40 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
Mitchell Watt, Buffalo
Watt is an explosive power forward who can attack the rim (55 percent from the floor) and has very good shot-blocking skills (2.2 BPG).
He's still raw offensively but put up a nice season, averaging 16.3 PPG. Watt is a project, but he has all the skills necessary to crack an NBA rotation.
Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech
Murphy opened some eyes this year with a 50-point outburst versus SIU Edwardsville. He's got a smooth offensive game that allows him to glide to the basket. He can score off the dribble, has a sick mid-range game and shows both quickness and athleticism.
He's got deep range on his jumper, shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. He should get a look from teams in the second round, and while he has a quick first step and great size (5.2 RPG), if he gets drafted, it will be because of that lethal jumper.
