NBA Draft 2012: Probable 2nd-Round Picks Who Will Make a Difference as Pros

The 2012 NBA Draft is loaded with lottery prospects who will flourish in the league, but there are also a handful of second-round players who will be difference-makers for their teams.

In recent years, the second round of the draft has been inconsistent when it comes to actual talent. It's often filled with obscure foreign players or college veterans with little upside.

But, there are often a couple of exceptions—ballers who end up making a big impact in the league. Players like Monta Ellis and Marc Gasol are sometimes overlooked until the second round.

Who will emerge from this year's class? Here are a few probable second-round picks who will make a difference in the pros.

Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk State

Norfolk State center Kyle O'Quinn showed up on America's radar after his exceptional performance in the Spartans' upset of Missouri. He'll use his 6'10", 240-pound frame and 7'5" wingspan to be a solid power forward at the next level.

O'Quinn isn't an overwhelming athlete, nor is he going to fill the hoop up, but he'll be an above-average rebounder and shot-blocker off the bench.

His explosiveness and playmaking abilities are in question, but his savvy on the glass and court awareness will help him on both ends of the floor.

William Buford, Ohio State

William Buford's shooting skills propelled him to nearly 2,000 career points at Ohio State, but can he score at a high clip in the NBA?

Buford is comfortable shooting from any spot on the court, whether it's from the wing, the corner or mid-range. His above-average athleticism will help him elevate for jumpers, but his ball-handling deficiencies might hinder him from creating his own shot.

Adequate size, length and agility will help him in the open floor and on defense.

Teams looking for a shooter to stretch the floor will show interest in getting Buford early in the second round.

Furkan Aldemir, Turkey

Turkish standout Furkan Aldemir might not actually play in the NBA in the near future, but there's a good chance he'll get drafted in June and sign with the team in a couple years.

And whenever he does decide to play on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, he'll be a difference-maker.

The 20-year-old power forward can finish in the paint and shows impressive mobility for someone his size. Aldemir has great instincts and court awareness, which help him receive passes in the right place and gobble up rebounds at a high rate.

Aldemir also ranked second in the Euroleague in rebounds per minute this season.

Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Fab Melo and Dion Waiters will likely get picked ahead of Kris Joseph, but the Syracuse senior could end up being just as successful as his Orange counterparts.

The pride of Montreal will be a competent swingman in the NBA, even if his role is coming off the bench. 

Joseph has a smooth jump shot and plenty of athleticism to attack the basket. The jury is still out on his man-to-man defense since he played zone the last four years, but there's no reason to think he won't be capable in that area.

Joseph could carve out a respectable career as a reserve small forward for a winning franchise.

Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

The team that drafts Vanderbilt's Festus Ezeli will get a superb defender whose body is NBA-ready.

The Nigerian center averaged 10 points and six rebounds in just 23 minutes per game, and his most valuable asset as a pro will be his post defense. Ezeli is an excellent defender, not by way of athleticism, but by positioning and lateral quickness.

NBADraft.net scout Jonathan Wasserman explains Ezeli's potential impact:

"

...Ezeli's presence alone could make a front line more intimidating...He has the physical attributes and toughness required for NBA centers, and while his offensive game is still being developed, his size, length and athleticism could be a luxury off the bench.

"

Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech

After ripping apart the Ohio Valley Conference, Tennessee Tech's Kevin Murphy seeks to terrorize NBA defenses next year. His shooting range and shot-creating skills made him one of the best mid-major scorers in the country.

Murphy's top-notch performance at the Portsmouth Invitational should give NBA executives a bit more confidence that he can thrive against elite talent. After playing against small schools throughout his career, his play at the Invitational showed that he can compete with big-conference prospects.

Drew Gordon, New Mexico

New Mexico's run to the Mountain West Championship and into the NCAA tournament was fueled by the fantastic play of Drew Gordon.

The explosive forward showed the nation he can excel against some of the best talent in college basketball. He dominated the paint in wins against UNLV, San Diego State and Long Beach State, and he was even more productive in the Lobos' close loss to Louisville.

Gordon's offensive repertoire is fairly limited, but he shows the potential to improve—that's something scouts must be excited about.

Offensive supply or not, he'll be a monster on the glass as soon as he sets foot in an NBA arena.

John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

The second Vanderbilt Commodore to make this list will be a long-range threat every night for the rest of his career.

John Jenkins decided to leave school one year early, and he's projected to get drafted in the late first round or early second round on most draft boards. If he slips past the first round, he'll end up being one of the best options due to his three-point aptitude.

Jenkins poured in 134 triples this season, tying the SEC single-season record. With a quick release and excellent form, he will be valued as a player who can keep defenses honest by consistently burying threes.