2012 NBA Mock Draft: Which College Studs Are Sure Things?

Next year, when we're watching the playoffs at the end of a long(er than this year) NBA season, there are certain players we'll definitely be seeing. Bradley Beal and the Cavaliers could be one. Or Damian Lillard and the Raptors. Or Jared Sullinger and the Bucks. 

There are prospects in this year's draft who are maybe-stars, maybe-busts, and then there are prospects who truly have the ability to take their teams from the middle-to-bottom of the conference standings, all the way into the postseason.

(We're going to leave Anthony Davis and the Bobcats out of this, though. Kevin Garnett once decreed, "Anything is possible," but he clearly hadn't yet contemplated a Bobcats postseason appearance.)

Here's a complete first-round mock with special emphasis on players who are locks to be stars.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is going to be a sure thing in the NBA next year—nobody's questioning that. While he gives the Bobcats a player they can start building around for the future, the playoffs are still going to be a serious long shot for a team that went 7-59 this year.

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

Gilchrist was good last year, but would he have been that good if he didn't have so much talent around him? He's tough, he's one of the hardest workers on the board and he's long, but he still has some growing to do before he'll be able to take over a game at the next level.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

If the Wizards pass over Beal, the Cavs will feel like the luckiest team in the room—and that's saying a lot, given what they've been through in the last few years.

Beal is the best and most versatile guard in the draft—and he may even be the best player, behind Davis—so coupled with Kyrie Irving, you have to figure that he gives Cleveland an immediate upgrade in the backcourt.

In just one season at Florida, Beal proved that he can be an elite shooter, even though he didn't consistently put up the kinds of numbers many were expecting of him. He still has the skills to handle the ball, he's clutch and his 6.7 boards per game proved that he can be a defensive threat as well.

Beal's game is so complete that it's hard to believe he won't make a serious impact next season. Aside from his size, there are very few glaring weaknesses, and because of his age, he still has plenty of room to grow and improve. The Cavs win big if they get him.

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

Given his size (6'11"), Drummond was a bit of a disappointment in his only year at UConn. You never want to see a big man who's afraid to assert himself, and he didn't get any opportunities to increase his draft stock after a disappointing run for UConn in the NCAA tournament. Still, his athleticism and size will make it hard to avoid taking a chance on him.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

With Drummond off the board, the Kings turn to Robinson, one of the most complete players in the draft who gives them some much-needed size up front.

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

Barnes hurt himself in the postseason when he showed that he can't truly excel without the help of a top-tier point guard. Hopefully ex-Tar Heel Raymond Felton can help him impress in Portland.

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

Jones has a reputation for being a little bit soft and backing off despite generally having a size advantage at the 4. If he plays small forward at Golden State—which he could—he'll be incredibly difficult to defend.

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

This isn't a deep draft as far as point guards go, so Lillard easily rises to the top. He and Demar DeRozan could rival Kyrie Irving and (potentially) Bradley Beal as one of the best backcourts in the Eastern Conference.

Like Beal, Lillard is versatile enough to play at either spot in the backcourt but could be best utilized in tandem with DeRozan. He's one of the oldest guards in the draft with three years of experience under his belt, so he should be able to slide into a significant role in Toronto competently and effectively.

He does need to improve as a floor general, but he's a serious scoring threat after putting up 24.5 points per game last season.

Lillard has the ability to drastically improve Toronto's offense right at the outset and could very well help this team compete in 2012-'13 despite finishing 12 games out of the hunt for a playoff spot last season .

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

One thing Sullinger can do well is completely overpower defenders with brute force and strength. One concern, though, is that he'll be too undersized at 6'9" to be as impactful as he can be at the 4.

Fortunately for Sullinger, though, he has the mental stamina to do everything he can to prove everyone wrong. He's the definition of a gritty, exceptionally intelligent player who knows exactly how to use his body to his advantage, despite the fact that he never has the edge as far as height.

He averaged a double-double his freshman year at Ohio State and nearly did the same his sophomore year, finishing with 17.5 points per game and 9.2 rebounds. He shot 51.9 percent from the field last year and really shored up his three-point shooting as well, hitting 40 percent of his attempts.

Sullinger may not have height, but he's one of the most complete players available and will be a big asset alongside Greg Monroe and Tayshaun Prince.

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

Unlike a player like Lillard, Marshall has no problem seeing the floor and is perhaps the best passer in the college ranks. His limitations as a shooter, however, will drop him toward the end of the lottery.

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

Portland can get some extra insurance in the frontcourt with their second Tar Heel in Zeller. He's very mobile despite being a seven-footer and will begin to dominate up front once he adds some strength.

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

The Bucks won't be able to pass up on Henson because he's a long and lean prospect who's competent on both ends of the floor. Plus, he has three years of experience and has grown leaps and bounds since his freshman year.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers has a lot of value as somebody who's a decent passer (when he wants to be) as well as a player who can be an excellent shooter. He'll be especially valuable to a team like the Suns if they lose Steve Nash (which they probably will).

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Like Sullinger, Jones is also undersized for a power forward, so he could switch to the 3. He's growing into a very good rebounder and is also unafraid to pass, though he's an excellent shooter from virtually everywhere on the court, shooting 62.7 percent from the field.

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

Ross is definitely one of the most underrated shooters on the board this year. He hit a whopping 77.4 percent from the field in 2011-12 and also shoots 37.1 percent from beyond the arc. In this year's postseason, the Sixers only have three players shooting 35 percent or better from three.

16. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Like Zeller, Leonard is mobile and athletic despite being a seven-footer, but his offense is still a work in progress.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb doesn't deserve to fall out of the lottery, but after UConn's unexpected failures in the NCAA, his stock started to sink a bit. But his loss is Dallas' gain, especially given their need for backcourt help given the possible departure of Jason Kidd.

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

Moultrie's stock has been up and down over the past few months. On one hand, he's the perfect size for an NBA 4, unlike a Sullinger or a Jones, but on the other, there are lingering concerns over the circumstances surrounding his transfer from UTEP.

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

Wroten's draft stock sunk after his most memorable moment of the year was missing a bunch of free throws that killed Washington's chances in the Pac-12 tournament. Not the kind of thing you want to be remembered for, but his athleticism and size will still push him into the top 20. If Jameer Nelson does end up leaving Orlando, this becomes an even better pick.

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

Minnesota needs a shooting guard, and with Terrence Ross off the table, they'll turn to Waiters, who's athletic and fights to get to the rim.

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo makes too much sense for the Celtics. He's an excellent option up front for them, especially considering Kevin Garnett's age and likely departure. The Celtics really need to use this draft to stock up on young talent, given their extremely limited bench in 2011-'12. 

22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is the kind of shooter off the bench the C's could've used this postseason. Though he's been inconsistent from long range throughout his career, he made some big shot improvements as a senior.

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

White is a very physical player and a solid shooter who hits 53.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. His free-throw shooting, however, is pretty bad (49.8 percent), and he has an anxiety disorder that has doubtlessly caused him to fall in the order.

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

There isn't much wrong with Harkless' game. He's a great defender and a great shooter, and if the Cavs get him and Beal in this draft, they can call it a very successful night.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague grew a lot during his only season under John Calipari and learned how to command a championship-caliber team. His shooting skills, though, could be improved.

26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

If it's possible to be underrated on a team full of stars, Lamb was. He shot 47.4 percent from the field and 46.6 percent from three-point land during his sophomore campaign.

27. Miami Heat: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is a good size for a 3 at 6'9", and his height gives him the ability to switch to the 4, depending on Miami's needs.

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

Nicholson is one of the oldest players in this draft and has shown steady improvement with his shooting throughout his college career. He's also a decent shot-blocker, registering two per game last year.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

One strike against Jenkins: At 6'4", he's small for a 2. One strike for him: He's one of the best shooters in the college realm.

30. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

He's one of the more experienced players available and shot the ball very well from behind the arc last season (38.8 percent).