NBA Draft 2012: Ranking Top 15 College Prospects Who Will Make Immediate Impact
It's hard to believe this is true, but it is: The 2012 NBA draft is just over one month away. The moment that every college basketball player has been waiting for is close to arrival and there is nothing but opportunity waiting for them on the other side.
The question is, who will make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
15. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels
1 of 15Player Traits: Early Second Round
Not only has the NBA become a point guard-driven league, but it's become a league in which depth at the point guard position outweighs all else. Fortunately for a team picking in the late first or early second round, Iona's Scott Machado is likely to be available for selection.
Machado is arguably the best facilitator in this draft class, but he suffers from a drop in draft stock due to his height. Nevertheless, he's a physical specimen due to his strength and athletic ability. He's also an excellent shooter, penetrator, perimeter defender and rebounder.
What will be key for Machado is the right fit, of course, but his talent is likely to put him in position to play with the second unit from opening day onwards. Don't be surprised to see this kid starting within his first three years, either.
14. Doron Lamb, Kentucky Wildcats
2 of 15Projected Draft Position: Late First Round
Doron Lamb is one of this year's best pure shooting prospects, offering his future team the most fundamental form of contribution possible. For those wary of his inability to bring that scoring prowess to the NBA, just watch the kid play and your fears will disappear.
Unlike some of the 2s who enter the league in this underclassmen-dominated age of drafting, Lamb is exceptional at creating shots for himself off of the dribble. With that being said, he's also your quintessential spot-up shooter who can step up in transition or the half court.
13. Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt Commodores
3 of 15Player Traits: Late First Round to Early Second Round
Festus Ezeli has proven throughout his collegiate career that he does not need to be on the floor for very long to contribute in a major way. He's also proven that when he is on the floor for extended periods of time, all that spells is more trouble for his opponents.
Ezeli is an excellent shot-blocker, possesses an NBA-ready body and makes the right decisions on both ends of the floor. While his fundamentals are not the most polished you'll find, his work ethic and motor are as great as any.
Expect Ezeli's first-year impact to be very similar to that of Greg Stiemsma's in Boston.
Season Averages: 23.2 MPG—19.61 PER—10.1 PPG—5.9 RPG—2.0 BPG
12. John Jenkins, Vanderbilt Commodores
4 of 15Projected Draft Position: Early Second Round
Arguably the best pure shooter of this draft class, John Jenkins is more than ready to make an impact from the opening night of the season. If you don't believe that to be true, just look at how many teams are in dire need of a three-point shooter.
A team such as the Chicago Bulls, who have struggled to find consistency at the 2, or the Cleveland Cavaliers, depending on their first-round selection, could be potential suitors.
Regardless of who decides to pick Jenkins up, just know that expectations will be exceeded. First-year three-point brilliance is coming soon.
Season Averages: 25.43 PER—19.9 PPG—2.9 RPG—1.2 APG—47% FG—44% 3PT
11. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini
5 of 15Projected Draft Position: Mid-First Round
The NBA is widely considered to have become a point guard-driven league. While that cannot be disputed, what can be argued is that another position has become just as important: the 5.
Meyers Leonard, a center from Illinois, is a mobile big man expected to go just outside of the lottery. Due to this fact, Leonard will likely end up on a playoff team that needs depth or overall help at the position. This calls for Leonard to see an average of 20 high-impact minutes before season's end.
Leonard is a capable scorer around the rim, a fearless defender and an explosive athlete. If nothing else, his ability to throw down a dunk will make those qualities more visible.
Season Averages: 24.02 PER—13.6 PPG—8.2 RPG—1.9 BPG—54% FG
10. Kendall Marshall, North Carolina Tar Heels
6 of 15Projected Draft Position: Mid to Late Lottery
If it's not Scott Machado, it's Kendall Marshall who owns the label of "best passer of this draft class." Due to this fact, as well as Marshall's above-average size at the point guard position, Marshall is almost certain to become a key player in a young team's pursuit of the playoffs.
As a rookie, Marshall's skill set and draft position are likely to open the door for a Ricky Rubio-like season. At worst, it will allow Marshall to average five to seven assists per contest, a statistic that speaks for itself.
Season Averages: 16.50 PER—8.1 PPG—9.8 APG—2.1 RPG—1.1 SPG—38% 3PT
9. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange
7 of 15Projected Draft Position: Late Lottery to Mid First Round
Unlike the rest of the names on this list, Dion Waiters spent his two-year career at Syracuse as the sixth man. This, unlike any other characteristic a prospect may possess, is the type of preparative action necessary to build a star.
And believe me, Waiters could be a star.
The 6'4" shooting guard is an elite slasher, attacking the basket off of the dribble and finishing as well as anyone around the rim. While he must improve as a shooter, he's made incredible strides in just one year from where he used to be.
Expect those improvements to continue and Waiters to make an immediate impact on a contender looking for a second-unit scoring option.
Season Averages: 26.29 PER—12.6 PPG—2.5 APG—2.3 RPG—1.8 SPG
8. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators
8 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 5
Bradley Beal is excellent at moving without the basketball and more than capable of creating his own shots when holding it. He's also an outstanding rebounder for his size and position, as well as a solid perimeter defender.
In year one, however, not all of that will be on display. Instead, Beal's shooting will be his main source of contribution while the rest takes time to catch on. Nevertheless, a rookie who can put up 10 to 15 points per game is nothing to fret.
Beal will show as the season progresses and he adjusts to the NBA speed just how well-rounded he is. Until then, however, expect his lone source of contribution to be his shooting.
Season Averages: 21.17 PER—14.8 PPG—6.7 RPG—2.2 APG—1.4 SPG—0.8 BPG
7. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats
9 of 15Projected Draft Position: Lottery
Damian Lillard is widely considered to be the best point guard in this draft class, yet that's not why he's on this list. Instead, the player whose skill set Lillard's closely resembles is the basis for comparison and expectation.
Although Monta Ellis of the Milwaukee Bucks was less than stellar as a rookie, his first season receiving starter's minutes saw him score 16.5 points per game and average 4.1 assists with 1.7 steals per game. These are the type of numbers that Lillard could post as a rookie, and those who believe otherwise haven't seen him play.
His speed, quickness, strength, consistent shooting and ability to finish in traffic is as promising a combination as any.
Season Averages: 33.58 PER—24.5 PPG—5.0 RPG—4.0 APG—1.5 SPG
6. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
10 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 10
Harrison Barnes is as heavily criticized as any player in this draft class, being cited for his struggles with creating scoring opportunities off of the dribble.
For those who overlook his picture-perfect jump shot, stellar perimeter defense, sky-high basketball IQ and leadership qualities, feel free to take your foot out of your mouth about halfway through the 2013 NBA season.
Barnes may not have the greatest statistical year of any player on this list, but he will be a solid contributor across the board. He'll see playing time off the bat due to his defensive prowess, but also due to his ability to score in bunches. Expect averages of roughly 10 points and one steal per contest, while posting solid numbers across the rest of his stat line.
Season Averages: 22.70 PER—17.1 PPG—5.2 RPG—1.1 APG—1.1 SPG
5. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies
11 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 10
Andre Drummond is often labeled as a potential bust, but if we're evaluating his true prospect, it's clear how quickly he can contribute.
Drummond has an NBA-ready body, is an excellent shot-blocker and has a very high basketball I.Q. for his position and age.
While he won't put up superstar numbers, expect the team who drafts him to waste no time before inserting him into their starting lineup. Also, expect no delay in his contributions in the rebounding and shot-blocking categories.
Season Averages: 22.15 PER—10.0 PPG—7.6 RPG—2.7 BPG—0.8 SPG
4. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
12 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 10
Jared Sullinger is as hard of a worker as any player in this draft class, driven by the fact that so many scouts have overlooked his top-pick talent. He's also as well-honed as any big man in this draft class.
To answer questions about his size, Sullinger's 6'9" height is met by 280 pounds and a massive lower body. More importantly, it's met by a massive 7'2" wingspan. As the close eye has witnessed, wingspan is much more important than standing height.
As for his skills, Sullinger is as ready a low-post scorer as we've seen come out of the collegiate ranks. He utilizes a surplus of low-post maneuvers to free himself up for an automatic baby hook. Sullinger can also score with both hands, making him a much more difficult player to defend. While he doesn't play above the rim, he's more than capable of throwing one down every now and then.
Season Averages: 30.39 PER—17.5 PPG—9.2 RPG—1.2 SPG—1.1 BPG
3. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats
13 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top Pick
Between the blocked shots and rebounds that he's almost certain to produce, Anthony Davis' impact will be felt in a major way. Due to the fact that he's the consensus first overall draft choice and is likely to land on a team that will place him in the starting lineup from the get-go, those chances improve mightily.
For those quick to label Davis as a potential bust, citing his below-average low-post game, it's important to define the term. For those hoping Davis will become the best player in the NBA, temper expectations; Davis is much more likely to become the best defender than he is the most well-rounded.
The fact is, he's a can't-miss for unusual reasons.
Rarely does a player come out of college this NBA-ready on the defensive end of the floor—that's mainly due to the fact that most players come out of college before their game has been honed. In Davis' case, his length and athleticism is outweighed by his basketball I.Q. and patience.
Between the intangibles, which include impeccable footwork and positioning, and the unteachables, such as his length and leaping ability, Davis is set to improve a team's interior defense from day one.
In a day and age in which the rules allow a penetrating player to attack the basket with ease, that is quite valuable.
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats
14 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 5
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an elite prospect in the following categories: perimeter defending, creating off of the dribble, finishing around the rim and disrupting passing lanes. Add the fact that his motor is unmatched and will to win undeniable, and you've got yourself one hell of a player.
In year one, MKG is more than capable of posting numbers that closely resemble his freshman-year statistics. More important than a stat line, however, will be the fact that Kidd-Gilchrist could potentially start in his first year.
He's one of the best athletes available and is fearless on the defensive end, making him any coach's dream. Just watch him closely before you miss out on a potentially great player.
Season Averages: 21.94 PER—11.9 PPG—7.4 RPG—1.9 APG—1.0 SPG—0.9 BPG
1. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks
15 of 15Projected Draft Position: Top 3
Thomas Robinson can score from the post, knock down a shot from the perimeter, crash the boards and get a put-back or penetrate off of the dribble for a contested two points. He's also a dominant rebounder, budding shot-blocker and natural-born leader.
So you tell me, what about his game makes you think that he's going to fail?
While Anthony Davis' combination of size and length may be more favorable, Robinson's strength and athletic ability are just as impressive. As is the fact that he led Kansas, a team with very little else outside of him and Tyshawn Taylor, to the national championship game. The success speaks volumes towards his talent, leadership and character.
This kid is something special.
Season Averages: 28.53 PER—17.7 PPG—11.9 RPG—1.8 APG—1.1 SPG—0.9 BPG
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