2012 NBA Mock Draft: College Stars Ready to Contribute Instantly

A year after international players dominated both rounds of the draft; collegiate players are once again the story in 2012.

This year’s draft is littered with players that college basketball fans are already familiar with. Some may have only spent one season in the collegiate ranks, but they sure did leave their marks. Others have been stars for a while and are ready to immediately contribute at the next level.

As we go through the latest mock draft, the focus is on the college stars that are ready to step foot onto an NBA court and help contribute instantly.

(Candidates highlighted in italics)

1. Charlotte Bobcats, Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis just had one of the most outstanding freshmen seasons in the history of college basketball and could have had a major impact on the Bobcats this year.

Instead, he enters the league with even more polish, with the ability to be a difference-maker on defense right off the bat. Can he lead the league in blocks as a rookie?

He may take a while to hone his offensive skills at the next level, but that aspect of his game will come in due time. Davis is the biggest can’t-miss prospect to enter the league in the last half-decade.

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

Kidd-Gilchrist was one of the most unselfish players in the nation this year, so don’t be fooled by his 11.8 ppg average. Standing at 6’7’’ and 235 pounds, he has the size to physically dominate smaller opponents in the paint.

His speed in the open court is incredible, as is his ability to finish with both hands.

Pairing him up with a guy like John Wall will make the Wizards one of the most deadly teams on the fast break in the entire league.

3. New Orleans Hornets, Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

He goes here because of his size (6’10", 270 pounds), but he showed little at UConn to make me believe Drummond is anything more than a role player who struggles with his conditioning and motivation.

4. Sacramento Kings, Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson played his way into the top five with an NCAA tournament to remember, but he has a low ceiling.

His game is predicated on hustle, heart and out-muscling opponents. In the NBA, those positive attributes don’t mean a whole lot when you are only 6’10".

5. Cleveland Cavaliers, Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Most people have soured on Barnes after a less-than-stellar tournament. Don’t let four games fool you; Barnes has all of the tools to be one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA.

His ability to score after contact, in addition to his range and explosiveness off the dribble, makes his ceiling about as high as any in this entire draft offensively.

While his defense can improve, he has the length and athleticism to become much better in this aspect.

6. Toronto Raptors, Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina 

Marshall may have been overshadowed at times by all of his talented teammates, but his broken wrist was a cruel reminder of how important he was to the Tar Heels.

His vision and speed are special. He is NBA-ready today…well as soon as his wrist heals, that is.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (from New Jersey), Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal improved throughout his lone season in college, to the point where he is one of the best scorers in the draft.

The next Eric Gordon?

Potentially in due time, once he improves his game off the dribble.

8. Utah Jazz (from Golden State), Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Jazz are going to be active in the trade department with their abundance of bigs, but expect whatever team lands this pick to pick Leonard, who is the best pure rebounder in the entire draft.

9. Detroit Pistons, Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb regressed a bit in his sophomore season, but with the quickness and athleticism he possesses, it’s hard to pass on him this far back.

He has one incredibly smooth jumper.

10. New Orleans (from Minnesota), Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The 6’4" and 215-pounder is a finisher.

Most fans don’t believe Waiters will be that great because he came off the bench in college, but I’m a firm believer that once the pre-draft drills and measurements get underway, he is going to end up sneaking into the top 10.

He has the offensive skills that scouts dream about.

11. Portland Trail Blazers, Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sully is a safe pick.

He won’t be winning any awards, but he’ll bring strong defense and a winning attitude to a team that ended up being one of the bigger disappointments of the entire season.

12. Milwaukee Bucks , Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Jones III would be the perfect replacement for Andrew Bogut and can help cover up how awful Monta Ellis is on the defensive end of the floor.

13. Houston Rockets, Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Rockets have a bunch of decent parts but nobody that really strikes fear into the opponent. Moultrie runs the floor with the speed of a guard and is rather nimble for a guy that weighs 225 pounds.  

With a 6’11" frame and plenty of strength, he has all of the tools to succeed in the NBA.

14. Phoenix Suns, Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

With Steve Nash likely to chase a championship in his final years, the Suns have to find their point guard of the future.

Rivers is not ready to be a star right off the bat, but he will be a top-tier point guard in the NBA within the next two to three years.

15. Philadelphia 76ers, Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The 76ers have to find a star player, so expect them to look for some sort of trade here. If not, Lillard was an outstanding player in college that is an absolute scoring machine with his incredible versatility and creativity.

16.  Houston Rockets (via NY) , Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

The 6’8" guard averaged an eye-popping 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a freshman with little fanfare in the incredibly difficult Big East.

With a strong defensive presence to boot, he is oozing with potential.

17. Utah Jazz, Royce White, SF/PF, Iowa State

You may not know much about White, but after scoring 23 points against Anthony Davis and Kentucky in the tournament, you better learn his name in a hurry.

18. Dallas Mavericks, Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

I think the Mavericks really regret letting Tyson Chandler go.

Their defense is just not the same as last year, and they are staring down a first-round exit because of it. Zeller can provide a shot-blocking presence in addition to a strong low post game that can help him average 10 to 13 points per game in his career.

19. Orlando Magic, John Henson, PF, North Carolina

With Dwight Howard all but gone, Henson fills an immediate need at the position and can start right away.

With a 7’4" wingspan and extraordinary shot-blocking abilities (3.2 bpg last season), he is the perfect replacement for D-12.

Offensively he is still a work in progress, but once he learns to finish over defenders instead of through them, he has star potential. Expect Henson to be the leader in rebounds among rookies in his first year.

20. Denver Nuggets, Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Wroten has a ton of potential as one of the most dangerous scorers in the draft, but he is very raw and needs a strong coach to teach him the finer points of the game.

George Karl is the perfect man for the job.

21. Boston Celtics, Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky 

The 6’9" do-everything forward is one of the most versatile players in the entire draft. With his speed and defensive tenacity, Jones is a very appealing player for a Boston team in a state of flux.

The southpaw has a standout faceup game, with a deadly pump fake to boot. With an incredible wingspan that allows him to excel at rebounding and shot-blocking, there is a whole lot to like about Jones.

He is certainly one of the biggest steals of the draft if still on the board at No. 21.

22. Atlanta Hawks, Will Barton, SG, Memphis

Barton is explosive off the dribble and can create his own shot at will, even at the NBA level. While his D is still a work in progress, going to a strong defensive team like the Hawks is a perfect fit.

23. Memphis Grizzles, Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Tony Allen may be a great defender, but the team could really use some more offense from the shooting guard position, and Ross is the perfect guy for the job.

24. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers), Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Rebounding is a big-time need considering the uncertain future of Kevin Garnett, and Nicholson fills that need. As long as he can add some bulk, the big man who can shoot threes will be a valuable asset for a number of years.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers), Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a tremendous shooter who is NBA-ready after a standout collegiate career. The Cavs need to beef up their scoring, and Taylor is the best available this far back in the first round.

26. Indiana Pacers, Marcus Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Pacers are very close to being championship contenders but still need a point guard that can be relied upon. Teague had a superb freshman season at Kentucky but was forgotten about at times because of all the lottery picks on the team.

This would be a dream scenario for Indiana.

27. Miami Heat, Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

With Chris Bosh averaging well under 10 rebounds a night, somebody has to crash the glass, and Melo fits the mold. His wide frame and strong lower body make him very difficult to move.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder, Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

The Thunder don’t really have a ton of needs, so they go with the best available talent. Miller needs time to develop, but will eventually be a reliable starter once he adjusts to life in the NBA.

29. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs), Draymond Green, SG, Michigan State

The All-American is an outstanding rebounder (thanks Tom Izzo) for a player of his size, and that’s a skill that will translate instantly at the pro level.  

The Warriors need tough guys that can do the dirty work and keep up with their fast pace, which makes Green a perfect fit.

30. Chicago Bulls, John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Getting the best available shooting guard is the smartest move for a Bulls team that is already ridiculously loaded.     

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