2012 NBA Mock Draft: Young Stars Who Will Be Future MVPs

This year's NBA draft board is teeming with stars.

Anthony Davis, for example, has yet to play a single professional game and he's already being heralded as the savior of Charlotte—if such a thing exists. The rest of his Kentucky teammates are still riding high on the momentum from their national championship, which has carried some of them all the way into this year's lottery.

There's good reason for the fact that scouts and GMs alike are excited for this year's draft: The talent gives the impression that there could be several future MVPs scattered across the board.

Here's a complete first-round mock draft that takes a special look at the MVP candidates of the near future. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

It's impossible to ignore Anthony Davis when you're talking about players who have the ability to change the entire complexion of the NBA. What Davis proved with Kentucky this year was that there was no single player on his level who was capable of stopping him.

While he won't be quite as powerful in the NBA, where he'll be up against players his own size, he still has more potential to excel than anyone.

Given his size, his wingspan (7'4") and his athleticism, Davis is a complete package and absolutely one of the most all-around skilled prospects to enter the draft in years. Despite the fact that his offense isn't as explosive as one might expect from the NCAA's best player, he uses every tool in his arsenal to produce on both ends of the floor, and his presence alone makes every single one of his teammates better.

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

He may not fire off a ton of shots, but Gilchrist is excellent in transition and he plays with the kind of fire and physicality that makes it clear he'll fulfill his potential to develop into a top talent at the next level.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Coming out of high school, Bradley Beal could've been a top draft pick. Now, after seeing him dominate the SEC for one year at Florida and carry his entire team through a longer-than-expected tournament run, his stock is soaring even higher.

In a draft class that is considered weak in the point guard department, Beal is leaps and bounds above the rest. His ball-handling skills are good enough to give him the versatility to play at either the 1 or the 2, and though he's not a lights-out shooter, there is little doubt that he can grow into one.

Scouts really like to talk about Beal's work ethic and desire to improve, which are what will truly help him take his game to the next level over the next several years. Though his impact may not be as immediate as that of a Davis or a Kidd-Gilchrist, he'll be right up there with the best after a few years under his belt.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Predicting Drummond's impact at the next level is tough because despite the fact that he has an ideal frame at 6'10" and 270 pounds, he hasn't been dominant enough to conclusively prove that he'll excel in the NBA. Still, good decision or not, his long-term potential will push him into the top five.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson was terrific during his junior year with the Jayhawks and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant, complete players in the NCAA. He, too, has the perfect frame for the NBA, measuring at 6'10" with a 7'1" wingspan.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

He led the Tar Heels in scoring last season with 17.1 points per game, but he hasn't excelled as much as many expected from the 2010 top recruit in the nation. Once he starts to use his frame to create opportunities, he'll be a threat.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Jones is a very mature kid who had the foresight to return to school for his sophomore campaign because he knew he needed to grow more as a person. Though his production didn't really improve, he's an incredibly skilled athlete and just needs to shed his reputation for being soft.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Lillard is an incredibly efficient scorer and is also an excellent playmaker who will be a top-tier point guard as soon as his passing skills improve a little bit.

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

Sullinger is the opposite of someone like Kidd-Gilchrist. While he boasts one of the most complete skill sets in the draft, scouts have never been able to shed concerns about his athleticism and his conditioning.

He tried to offset those concerns by electing to return to Ohio State for the 2011-12 season, slimming down and taking his team to the Final Four. And though he could've been a top five pick last year, there is just too much talent for him to go that high this year.

But although he didn't get a championship this year, Sullinger's return to the Buckeyes was worthwhile because he proved that he's dedicated and willing to do whatever it takes to be excellent. He's already one of the best-shooting power forwards in the draft, shooting 60 percent from the field, and defensively, he makes up for any athletic shortcomings with sheer determination.

He may not be the most athletic prospect, but he has the most NBA-ready attitude.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Before he broke his wrist, Marshall was well on his way to leading UNC to the Final Four. He's one of the best passers in the college realm, and those skills will translate nicely to the next level.

11.  Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

For someone who's seven feet tall, Zeller is a pretty athletic guy. He runs the floor well, he's a good perimeter shooter and he has a high basketball IQ, all of which will make him an immediate asset next season.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson has shown steady improvement each year at UNC, and despite tallying 13.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, he still has a lot of room to grow. Imagine how much of a force he's going to be when he adds more muscle to his 6'11" frame.

13. Phoenix Suns:  Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

If Steve Nash leaves Phoenix, the Suns must come out of this draft with a guard, and Rivers has the versatility to play both backcourt positions. He'd like to think he has Kobe-esque star quality, but he simply needs to become a much better shooter before he has that kind of impact.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones has always been knocked for being inconsistent and playing with a sour attitude, but he helped to offset those concerns with a strong showing in Kentucky's championship run. His versatility will compel some team to bite on him in the lottery.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

He might have played on an underachieving Washington team, but he was the star of it, registering 16.4 points per game. He's very athletic and boasts an excellent jump shot.

16. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Like a lot of the big men on this year's board, Leonard failed to truly dominate this season. Like Drummond, though, he has a very high ceiling because of his frame. He might not be worth a pick in the lottery, but he won't fall far outside of it.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

He had a bit of a letdown year after UConn's championship run in 2011, but he still led the Huskies in scoring with 17.7 points per game.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie has a little bit of a spotty history stemming from his transfer from UTEP to Mississippi State, and the fact that he only tallied 0.8 blocks per game despite being 6'11" is troubling.

19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

At the moment, Wroten is most famous for missing four straight free throws against Oregon State in the Pac-12 Tournament, which essentially crushed the Huskies' NCAA tournament dreams. Not exactly the best note on which to finish your college career, but he's still a solid scorer and one of the best floor generals available.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse

After an excellent sophomore season, Waiters established himself as an aggressive defender with solid transition skills that will serve him well in the NBA.

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

He showed up for his sophomore campaign in much better shape than last year and anchored the Orange defense with 2.9 blocks per game. His academic suspension from the NCAA tournament is a concern, but not enough to offset his upside.

22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

As one of the older players in this draft, Taylor was a crucial component of Vanderbilt's offense and SEC tournament win this season. He tallied 16.1 points per game and shot almost 50 percent from the field, so he'll provide that boost of instant offense a team like the Celtics needs with Ray Allen likely headed for the door. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

White led Iowa State in almost every facet of the game last season—13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds. 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals—so he obviously is one of the most complete players available. Hopefully, concerns over his anxiety disorder don't make him fall too far.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is already a proficient scorer, as he proved with 15.5 points per game last season, but he lacks consistency. Once he begins to use his athleticism to his advantage, he'll be dangerous.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Where Teague excels is in directing traffic on the floor. This season, he grew out of his tendency to be a bit of a ball hog, which will help him monumentally in the NBA.

26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is a good athlete who will be an excellent asset off the bench next year. He was one of the best long-range shooters in the NCAA last season, sinking almost 47 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

27. Miami Heat: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Inconsistency is Miller's biggest problem, but he has the ideal arsenal of physical tools to excel in the NBA.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

His production dropped toward the end of the season, which certainly wasn't a good sign, and despite being a bit turnover-prone, he's still a good perimeter shooter with a lot of athleticism.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He led the team in scoring last season with 19.9 points per game—no small feat on the nation's No. 11 offense. His game translates to the NBA as well as anyone's.

30. Golden State Warriors: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

He's the perfect size for an NBA center at 6'11" and 255 pounds, and though he failed to dominate top-level competition, he proved to be an asset on both ends of the floor last season.