2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Prospects Ready to Make Instant Impact

Royce White is a player who is being underrated by scouts given his size, but he is ready to transition well into the league by making an instant impact with any team he lands with in the 2012 NBA draft.

Here are a few more.

You can find those players with (*) beside their school.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis will be the first pick in the NBA draft.

His shot-blocking ability mixed with an athletic overall game is something even Michael Jordan couldn't pass up.

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

There wasn't one prospect I loved to watch more than Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

He has everything you want to see from a player in college. He's a fierce competitor, has great size and length, can defend multiple positions and is willing to take big-time shots for his club.

His traits will translate well to the NBA.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Bradley Beal played well in his first year at Florida. This was especially the case in the SEC and NCAA Tournament.

We all knew about his ability to shoot from the perimeter, but he proved he can do other things on the court worthy of a top pick in the draft.

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

Thomas Robinson is the real deal. He rebounds the ball well to go along with a solid jumper. His talent level and overall skill-set can make him productive in the NBA.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond's draft status is questionable at best. He has the size and length to become a dominant center in the NBA.

However, there were times where he was invisible this past season. I think he should have stayed another year in college to improve his overall game, but you can't argue with a kid who will go in the top five.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina *

Harrison Barnes is slightly underrated in the 2012 NBA draft. He failed to deliver in certain moments of his career at North Carolina, but he has the potential to become an all-star in the NBA.

His mid-range game accompanied with his size allows for a quality rookie season—if he can put it together.

Barnes can go off for 25 in any given game and has scored 40 points in a game in the ACC Tournament in his brief career.

Portland would get a steal if they decided to go with Barnes.

7. Golden State Warriors (via Utah): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Perry Jones has all the talent in the world, but for one reason or another, he can't put it together consistently. He's a huge risk-reward type of prospect.

Maybe drafting him at No. 7 is too high, but teams will draft prospects on potential, and the potential for Jones is obviously there.

Who knows how he'll turn out in the league.

8. Toronto Raptors: Austin Rivers, G, Duke

Toronto was 28th in scoring the rock this past season. They could use another guy in that area.

Rivers won't be a point guard in the NBA, but he can find a nice role as a slasher and playmaker in the league.

Toronto hasn't been relevant in the NBA for a few years now. Adding Rivers would bring some more excitement from the neighbors north.

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

I love Jared Sullinger as a player, but his struggles against size are well documented. While No. 9 is probably a reach, Sullinger reminds me of a DeJuan Blair type of player.

He probably won't be able to live up to the billing.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota) Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

New Orleans will take a point guard with this pick, but which one? Will they go with Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall?

I think that the pressure to take a more-known point guard will be present with this pick. Management wouldn't look great if they passed on Marshall if he turns out to be great.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

As the situation before, Marshall or Lillard here; whichever one is left. Lillard is a sleeper in this draft because of his ability to score the basketball. His upside could be higher than Marshall's.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

No Andrew Bogut means Milwaukee will be looking for a center. Tyler Zeller from North Carolina was unbelievable this past season.

His energy, skill-set and ability to rebound provides a solid option at the center position in today's NBA.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb could be a great player in the NBA, but he could also never pan out. He has the size and athleticism to be solid, but he didn't put it together consistently enough to make me a believer yet.

We'll see what he does in his rookie year.

14. Houston Rockets: Royce White, PF, Iowa State*

If I were an NBA GM, I would be seeing what I could give to move up in the draft. Royce White is well worth it.

He can do it all on the floor. He can handle the ball, shoot from outside, drive the lane, be a facilitator  and has the mindset of being the best on the court.

We could be looking at a potential superstar.

With multiple first-round picks, Houston should take a chance on somebody who may or may not be the best fit.

White is that guy who can make an impact especially in his first year.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Philadelphia needs to upgrade its depth in the frontcourt. John Henson has great size and length, and his overall ability translates well to today's NBA.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Houston doesn't have a great back court, so adding a shooting guard is a possibility. Terrence Ross could be a great steal given his athletic ability.

Washington was up and down this past season, but you can't overlook his athletic talent. It wasn't enough to get them to the dance, but it wasn't all on him.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters could be another steal in the draft given his ability to score the basketball. He came off the bench mostly for Syracuse, but he was instant offense when he was given minutes.

He shot 48 percent from the floor this past season.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Moe Harkless, G/F St. John's

Just one of many future St. John's prospects to land in the NBA, Moe Harkless is raw but extremely talented.

His ceiling has no ending.

In his freshman season, Harkless averaged 15.3 points per game.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, F, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie has the potential of becoming a very good forward in the NBA. It's up to him to see how far he can take his basketball ability.

20. Denver Nuggets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Denver has great depth, but they could use another big body down low. Meyers Leonard would be a solid option with this pick.  

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Maybe a future replacement for Kevin Garnett? Even though Garnett looks far from being done given his play this postseason, it wouldn't be a bad idea to add size down low.

His mid-range game is dynamite, too, so that bodes well playing with a point guard like Rajon Rondo.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins could be the perfect replacement for Ray Allen when he decides to hang it up.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Great size, great upside and an athletic body. Tony Wroten Jr. has the potential to be a solid point guard in the league.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

People love to criticize Draymond Green for his size, but the dude can flat-out play the game of basketball. He can be strong and physical in the paint, provide ball-handling help and shoot from outside.

Green would be a great fit for the Cavaliers.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor

Quincy Miller can bring multiple dimensions to the floor. Memphis doesn't have a major need on the roster, but Miller could benefit them from a depth perspective.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Indiana should just take the best player available with this pick. After watching Marquis Teague dash through defenses in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, he would be the best pick available at No. 26.

Hometown kid playing for his hometown team—I like it.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Could Miami please add a legitimate center? Maybe just some frontcourt help? 

Adding Fab Melo makes perfect sense.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt*

Oklahoma City is still looking to replace Jeff Green when they traded him to Boston. Taylor brings a similar skill-set with the ability to shoot from the perimeter.

He shot 42 percent from long-distance last season.

With Kevin Durant, Russell Wilson and James Harden's ability to penetrate the lane, expect Taylor to have a monster season from beyond the arc in Oklahoma City if they decide to go that route.

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

Chicago needs to hope for a steal late in the first round. Will Barton could be that guy. At 6'6", Barton averaged 18 points on 51 percent shooting in his sophomore season at Memphis.

He could be exactly who they need.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio) Evan Fournier, SG, France

Let's get a little European flavor in the mix. Evan Fournier is 6'7", 206 pounds and has the potential to become a solid scorer in the league with time.

With Monta Ellis out of the picture, expect Golden State to nab a shooting guard in the first round.