2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Prospects Guaranteed to Star

The NBA Draft is here, and the latest class is filled to the brim with future stars and guaranteed solid contributors.

As we all know, the NBA Draft can be a bit top heavy, rarely producing consistent talent in the later parts of the first round.

There is plenty of reason to look past the lottery this time around, because there is more than enough athletic talent to go around.

Here is our latest mock draft with some underrated stars of the mid-to-late first round highlighted.  

Here is that order from the official NBA page. 

For a breakdown of the NBA order, visit Chad Ford's page at ESPN. 

Standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis has the first pick all locked up, and there is no reason to think it will change any time soon. 

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

I still like MKG to come off the board second, bringing an all-around talent to the court and the tenacity to guarantee he will stick in the NBA. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Cavs have an easy decision here, taking the shooting guard that has superstar written all over him. This will be a dream pairing with Kyrie Irving. 

4. New Orleans Hornets—Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson has the size and balanced game to make an immediate impact in the NBA. 

5.  Sacramento Kings—Andre Drummond, C, UConn

He still needs some polish, but he is a big man with even bigger upside. The Kings would be formidable in the paint as DeMarcus Cousins gets a center to create a true dynamic duo.  

6. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ)—Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

This pick goes back to the Nets if New Jersey lands in the top three, so there is a great deal of intrigue surrounding the lottery. 

Either way, I don't see how an elite athlete with a complete game like Barnes slides farther at this point in the draft process.  

7. Golden State Warriors—Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Yes, they have bigger needs and this is a bit of a reach, but I love the gamble. The Warriors have an obvious issue at the 2 and Lamb has top-five potential going into the draft.   

8. Toronto Raptors—Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

He is a point guard that can score the rock with a solid perimeter game and the ability to finish at the rim.  

9. Detroit Pistons—Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

I like Sullinger to be one of the steals of the draft. There are bigger names, but his versatility on offense and tenacity to prove himself make him an early favorite to star for years in the league.  

10. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN)—Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

The Hornets get a safe pick here in the form of a point guard that is a known quantity. He is going to run the floor like a proven general and dish assists by way of phenomenal court vision. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers—Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

He is the best big man left on the board and worthy of filling the Blazers' need for a consistent and durable center.    

12. Milwaukee Bucks—Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

I don't see Doc's kid sliding any further. He has too much of that killer-instinct gene to pass on, and the Bucks could gamble on a player that may be the biggest star of this draft.

Time will tell, but he plays with fearlessness and will challenge the best in the paint with great moves at the rim. With a consistent shot and poise, he becomes an All-Star.   

13. Phoenix Suns—Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

He will touch the top 10 at some point in the draft process. He plays with passion and can guard multiple positions.  

14. Houston Rockets—Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

I am up in the air with Jones, because he certainly has the frame and athleticism to be a top-five player off the board.

I question his ability to dominate as he can get lost in the shuffle on both ends of the court.  

15. Philadelphia 76ers—Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It's hard for general managers to pass on seven footers that move as well as Leonard.   

16. Houston Rockets (via NYK)—Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

I am convinced that Moultrie will find his niche in the NBA because he has the elite size and power. The only thing he lacks is the will. 

He can settle far too often for his perimeter game, which is already top notch. Once he commands the paint like I know he can, we will have a beast on our hands. 

17. Dallas Mavericks —John Henson, PF, UNC

He needs time to polish his game on offense, but it's hard to find a better defender in a draft class filled with great shutdown athletes. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)—Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

He can defend multiple decisions and started hitting buckets from out to 20 feet with consistency. That stuff looks inviting on a scouting report. 

19. Orlando Magic—Royce White, SF, Iowa State 

He is a great perimeter defender and finishes well at the rim. He will be a great asset in the open court. 

20. Denver Nuggets—Tony Wroten, G, Washington

I really like what I see from Wroten...in spurts.

This is a prospect that shows elite play and then can go vacant for stretches. The Nuggets are the perfect team to harness his scoring ability and willingness to command the floor.  

21. Boston Celtics—Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Celtics will have to take their time on this prospect that can force the issue on offense.

22. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC)—Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

However, they find a real gem with the very next pick. Melo's future is uncertain, but I have him as a guaranteed star if he indeed goes to the Celtics. 

This is a perfect fit considering the Celtics' need and their sensibilities on defense. Melo can mature to be that game-changing playmaker on defense. 

23. Atlanta Hawks—Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

First, the knock on his is court presence and forcing the issue with bad decisions. His poise can be ironed out at the next level. 

After that, you have a prospect that shows flashes of brilliance on offense and has one of the best first steps in the class. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)—Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure 

He needs to add a lot more bulk to his big frame, but is already a great passer and has soft hands.  

25. Memphis Grizzlies—John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He is the best shooter in the draft class and will light it up from anywhere on the court.     

26. Indiana Pacers—Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

He shows promise as a good defender and solid rebounder to start.  

27. Miami Heat—Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

He is perfect for what the Heat need right now, a big man that will hit the paint with a tenacity for rebounding and defense.   

28. Oklahoma City Thunder—Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

It's the "intangibles" portion of the show and the Thunder get a hard worker, natural leader and extremely underrated prospect.  

29. Chicago Bulls—Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

He plays with a fearless nature and wants the ball in the clutch. 

30. Golden State (via SA)—Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

The Warriors get the best player at the time with the most balanced game on the board. Jones is a big man that can shoot very well from the perimeter. 

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