NBA Draft 2012: Shooting Guards Sure to Star at Pro Level

When the smoke clears from this shortened 2011-2012 NBA season, a champion will emerge and the offseason will begin to heat up.

A position I will personally be interested in is the shooting guard position, as it proves to be one of the most important in the NBA. A lot of the stars of the NBA play the position, as it produces many scorers in particular offensive schemes.

Here are three shooting guards that are going to be stars in the NBA:

Bradley Beal (University of Florida)

Many analysts have Gators SG Bradley Beal going in the Top 10, and for good reason. The 6'4", 205 pound guard is one of the most NBA-ready players in this year's draft.

Beal can do it all as a two-guard. His best feature is definitely his jump shot, which can be dialed up easily from NBA range.

He has the ability to run off screens, set up his shot quickly and get a pure release. He has one of the prettiest strokes coming out of college this year, which will be enticing to many teams.

Furthermore, he is a slasher that can get to the basket. This will go well with a shot fake, as many defenders will have his three-point range scouted and overplay him. Getting to the basket will be key in Beal's success.

I can see Beal going as high as pick six to the Portland Trail Blazers. The lowest I can see him dropping is 11th, which again would see him picked by the Trail Blazers.

Jeremy Lamb (University of Connecticut)

Jeremy Lamb is one of those players that combines natural, physical gifts with an all-around refined game. It is for this reason, and his overall potential, that Lamb is going to be a star in the NBA.

Lamb is 6'5", but just around 185 pounds. He is thin, but some time in the weight room and continuing to put muscle on his body will make him a beast at the shooting guard position. Add to the fact he has a 7'1" wingspan, and you have the makings of a physical monster.

Lamb's wingspan allows him to disrupt opponent's shots, as his close-out ability puts doubt in their minds. He will be able to earn shot blocks on the inside, even on guys he is not assigned to. 

More than his defensive ability, he is a great shooter. Lamb is another guy who can run off screens and square up quickly. He will be a big threat from the three-point line.

One of his biggest weapons is his ability to get out on the break. This will lead to him scoring fast break points on a consistent basis in the NBA.

Lamb figures to be a Top 10 pick. I could see him going seventh to the Golden State Warriors, but he could drop as far as pick 12 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Terrance Ross (University of Washington)

If there is any shooting guard in the draft with preferable size, it is Terrance Ross. At 6'6", 200 pounds. Ross will create matchup problems for any NBA defender. His length will give opponents trouble offensively and defensively.

Ross may be the most athletically gifted shooting guard in the draft. The kid has the jumping ability and speed to be associated with a fast-paced team.

Ross has improved as a jump shooter, which may have helped his stock a bit. He is an incredible finisher around the basket and has a great stroke from the free throw line when he is fouled.

He is the complete package, as he is a good rebounded for a guard, as well as a scrappy defender. He is a steal in the mid to late part of the first round.

I see Ross heading to the Houston Rockets, whether it be with the 14th pick of the draft or the 16th. He should be around at that point, and will prove to be a star in Houston.