NBA Draft 2012: Andre Drummond and Projects Worth the Investment

The 2012 NBA draft is likely to showcase one of the deepest classes in recent memory, but like every other year before it, there will be plenty of question marks surrounding some of the game's incoming prospects.

While not all of those players will prove the doubters wrong, there are a handful of projects who will be worthy of their first-round selections if they can turn their raw talent into well-rounded skill sets at the NBA level.

Andre Drummond

At 6’10”, 270 pounds, Andre Drummond has the size and athleticism to play on both ends of the floor.

His offensive game isn’t refined enough to have an immediate impact in the NBA, but on plays where he lets his athletic abilities take over, he’s shown that he can score against the likes of any big man inside.

Drummond surely would have benefited from another year in UCONN’s system, but having made the jump to the NBA after just his freshman season, his talent and size alone are worth the risk in the lottery of the upcoming draft.

Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger had a prolific college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, but he finds himself becoming a bit of a question mark heading into the upcoming NBA draft.

Questions about his conditioning, athleticism and below-the-rim style of play are things that teams drafting in the lottery need to look at before selecting the 6’9”, 280-pound prospect.

How much potential Sullinger has is a valid concern, but his high basketball IQ and strength down low might make him one of the most NBA-ready players in the 2012 draft.

Perry Jones III

Typically the word tweener is reserved for guards, but as a 6’11”, 235-pound perimeter player, Perry Jones III is a small forward in a power forward’s body.

The concern with Jones is that he will never truly find a position in the NBA, and that his game will require a bit of a makeover depending on which position he pursues moving forward.

His style of play is a bit unique, but if he can get stronger and develop a game deeper into the post, he’s going to be one of the most dynamic forwards that the game has to offer.

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers was a one-and-done college star, but there are many reasons he should have stuck around and refined his game under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

Rivers has been a liability on defense, and as an isolation player in Duke’s system, the 19-year-old star averaged more turnovers than assists per game last season.

His game needs a lot of work, but as a natural scorer with good ball-handling skills, any team looking for a potential star in the backcourt should consider him as a project to look at late in the lottery.

Fab Melo

Fab Melo’s game is going to be extremely raw as he enters the NBA next season, but a player of his size should be considered a solid investment for any team needing depth at the center position.

Without many post moves to his name and a questionable basketball IQ, he’s going to need a solid mentor to help him develop into his role at the next level.

If a team has somebody ready to mentor the seven-footer, his long arms and physical nature are going to be worth a late first-round selection in the 2012 NBA draft.