NBA Draft 2012: Unheralded Prospects Sure to Be Stars

All the attention is on the NBA Playoffs right now, but the NBA Draft is only a couple months away.

We already know the big names like Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will surely be lottery picks, but organizations like the San Antonio Spurs have achieved long-lasting success another way.

Teams like the Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks won't have the luxury of making a lottery pick anytime soon unless they acquire one in a trade.

It's the diamond in the rough that keeps these teams at the top.

Look at Manu Ginobili, picked 57th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft.  Players like Chris Herren, Obinna Ekezie, A.J. Bramlett, and Tim Young were taken in front of Ginobili.

Yeah, I haven't heard of them either.

Meanwhile, Ginobili has become a star for a San Antonio Spurs organization that has gone on to win four NBA Championships.

Is there a Ginobili in the 2012 NBA Draft?  Who knows, but there are certainly some prospects flying under the radar that are sure to become stars.

Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Taylor was the combo guard that helped Thomas Robinson advance the Kansas Jayhwaks to the National Championship game just a few months ago.

He struggled shooting the ball during the tournament but that is a problem that can be adjusted.

The real upside is his aggressive defense.  Taylor started all four years for the Jayhawks and proved to be a quick, in-your-face defender. 

That's the kind of defender that earns valuable minutes as a rookie in the NBA.

If anything, a shoot-first point guard is looked down upon in the NBA, so the struggling jump shot won't be a huge concern early on, especially if Taylor can provide valuable defense and effectively distribute the ball on offense.

Then, if the jump shot develops, Taylor could become lethal on both ends of the court.

Jae Crowder, Marquette

Jae Crowder is another player that could earn minutes in his rookie year because of his defensive skills.  His work ethic is among the best of any player in the draft and his motor never seems to quit during games.

Despite a 6'6" frame, Crowder played well as a combo forward during his time with the Golden Eagles.

It would be difficult for Crowder to transition into the same position in the NBA due to him being a bit undersized.

However, he has a history of playing shooting guard and shot 34% from behind the arc during his senior year.

Once again, the San Antonio Spurs come into the picture.  Last year they traded away promising guard George Hill to acquire Kawhi Leonard, a very similar player to Jae Crowder.

Leonard has already earned a spot on the starting rotation and has become one of the Spurs' premier defenders.

Jae Crowder's future could be just as bright.