2012 NBA Mock Draft: Seniors Ready to Become Elite at Next Level

North Carolina's Tyler Zeller is the best senior available in this summer's 2012 NBA draft. The seven-footer can run the floor, score, rebound and block shots. 

Despite his game though, Zeller won't be the No. 1 overall pick this June—or even a  top-five selection. 

These days, freshman and sophomores are all the rage, and it seems the seniors aren't getting their proper dues. 

Let's take a look at my latest mock NBA draft first round to see which seniors are ready to become elite at the next level.

*2012 NBA draft order courtesy of NBA.com.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

It's already a foregone conclusion that Charlotte or anyone picking No. 1 overall will take the best player out there.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

An all Kentucky backcourt for the Washington Wizards? It looks poised to happen.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida 

One year after drafting Rookie of the Year, Kyrie Irving the Cleveland Cavaliers can complete their backcourt with a physical specimen in Florida's Bradley Beal. Beal can shoot the ball with range and drive to the rim virtually whenever he wants. 

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson plays much bigger than his 6'9" frame and has the motor that fans in New Orleans will love to watch. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

This pick could wind up being a big mistake, but Drummond has an NBA body and all the potential to be a superstar. If he can stay focused and light a fire under himself, who knows what he can become. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller could benefit from some time in the weight room, but his skills are good enough for the NBA, especially his mid-range jump shot and his footwork in the post.

Although it's incredibly premature to begin making comparisons, Zeller reminds me of a raw Pau Gasol. He has the frame and all of the promise to become a versatile big. Zeller is pretty much a lock to be the first senior drafted this summer. 

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor

We can only hope that PJ3 is saving his energy for the next level. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

It's not unfair to say that UNC's Harrison Barnes didn't live up to the hype in college, but he has tremendous potential that a team like Toronto would surely bet on. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

An athletic 6'11" power forward, Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie will be a popular man this summer. 

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

There may not be a player in the country who is better at keeping his head up and the ball bouncing than North Carolina's Kendall Marshall. With CP3 gone for good, a point guard works well at No. 10.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Damian Lillard may be the best point guard available this year. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger damaged his stock by returning for his sophomore year at Ohio State, but he improved his game without question. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, Duke

The Phoenix Suns had interest in the Jimmer before last year's NBA draft, so I can only imagine them targeting Duke's Austin Rivers late in the 2012 lottery. 

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb will improve Houston's perimeter defense significantly. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

The Philadelphia 76ers may have defeated the Boston Celtics in the playoffs this season had they boasted a lengthy, shot-blocking big man in the paint. 

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Kentucky's Terrence Jones continues to fly under the radar as the draft approaches, but the Rockets won't sleep on his talents at No. 16 if he falls to them. Though the Lamar Odom comparison is a bit worn out, it's legitimate. 

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Who doesn't like the idea of the Mavericks getting younger and more athletic?

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Quincy Miller, Baylor

Just call Baylor's Quincy Miller Mr. Versatility. Miller can play a multitude of positions on the court. 

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Skilled seven-footers are hard to come by and if Dwight Howard waves goodbye to the Magic Kingdom this offseason, Orlando may want to establish a backup plan. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Dion Waiters is the high-energy, scoring type of player that the Denver Nuggets love. 

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Andrew Nicholson played four solid seasons with St. Bonaventure and will be one of only a handful of college seniors likely drafted in the first round in 2012. Nicholson has a superb skill set and can even stroke the ball from deep. As a 6'9" power forward, that's beneficial in order to create matchup nightmares for the opposition. 

Add length and dependable hands to the equation and you have a player that the Boston Celtics will be very interested in. If he improves his rebounding he could one day be likened to a current Celtic—Kevin Garnett. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

Considering all of Royce White's off-court struggles, including his trouble with flying, Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics seem like the best fit. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Atlanta Hawks could definitely benefit from adding some outside shooting to their rotation. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's

An explosive athlete, Harkless could bring LeBronesque dunks to Cleveland. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

Washington's Tony Wroten Jr. can bring the Grizz a change of pace. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Orlando Johnson, UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara senior Orlando Johnson can flat-out score the ball and put up points. After watching the Indiana Pacers forget how to score against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference playoffs, it's safe to say that Larry Bird could use a fearless offensive addition.

A 6'5" shooting guard, Johnson averaged 19.7 points per game last season and shot nearly 43 percent from downtown. Most have him going in the second round, but I think Johnson is ready to be elite and make an immediate impact.  

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Chris Bosh isn't the type of big man who is 100 percent committed to protecting the rim and sending a message. Enter Syracuse's Fab Melo.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

After watching James Harden grow into the best sixth man in basketball with the Oklahoma City Thunder, I can't help but to fall in love with the idea of OKC selecting Michigan State senior Draymond Green with their late-first round pick this June. 

Green is 6'6" with a seven-foot wingspan and an all-around game rivaled by few players available this late in the first round. Green is a high basketball IQ guy who will make others better, a la Harden. 

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Outside shooting and Derrick Rose is what make the Chicago Bulls go 'round. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Scott Machado, Iona

Mark Jackson has the knowledge and experience to turn a pass-first point guard like Iona's Scott Machado into a quality NBA floor general. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the 2012 NBA draft.