NBA Draft 2012: Perry Jones and 10 Prospects with Major Upside

This year's draft is one of the deepest in recent years, and it contains players that have almost limitless potential.

Although many of these players would be top-five picks in other years, there is a lot of value to be had outside of the top five this year.

Let's have a look at the prospects in the 2012 NBA Draft who have the greatest potential.

Perry Jones (PF, Baylor)

Perry Jones may have the most upside of any player in this draft. He has the ability to play almost every position on the floor. The Baylor product has the ball-handling skills of a guard, scoring ability of a forward and rebounding skills of a center.

The only question is whether or not he will be able to put it all together.

Had Jones declared for the draft last year, he would certainly have been picked second overall. However, Jones' inability to improve upon his promising freshman season hurt his draft stock.

He is projected to be selected in the middle of the lottery, but he has the potential to become a player that will dominate the association for years to come. Almost every team in the NBA could use a player like him.

Potential Projection: Andre Iguodala/Athletic Lamar Odom

Andre Drummond (C, UConn)

Although I think Drummond will be a bust, he will be one of the best big men in the league if he does realize his potential.

Drummond already has the physical tools and the body to be a starting center in the NBA, and he has some great defensive skills. Most of his scores come off of layups and dunks, but he has the length and athleticism to be an excellent post presence and rebounder. That is, if he wants to.

If Drummond improves upon his lackadaisical effort or works on his post-scoring ability, he could be a superstar player for a team like the Sacramento Kings or New Orleans Hornets, who are looking for a dominant center.

Potential Projection: Dwight Howard

Damian Lillard (PG, Weber State)

I'm one of Damian Lillard's biggest fans, and I think that he will be a superstar in the NBA.

Lillard has all the tools that a scoring point guard needs to succeed in the NBA, and he reminds me so much of Russell Westbrook.

Lillard has a beautiful jumpshot, unparalleled speed in the open court and the ability to drive to the basket.

Not to mention that he still has above-average passing ability, averaging 4.0 assists per game last year.

Lillard has shown incredible growth at Weber State, and, although he certainly didn't play against the highest level of competition, he's going to be something special. Lillard could find himself in the hands of a team in need of a point guard, such as the Utah Jazz or the Toronto Raptors.

Potential Projection: Russell Westbrook/Derrick Rose

Harrison Barnes (SF, North Carolina)

Harrison Barnes has an unparalleled combination of scoring ability, length and intelligence.

Don't forget that Barnes was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in this draft class coming out of high school.

Although there have been concerns about his inability to create his own shot, he can develop that aspect of his game in the NBA. His pure scoring ability, however, can't be taught, and it's the primary reason that he's projected as a top-10 pick that will go to a team like the Golden State Warriors or the Toronto Raptors.

If Barnes reaches his potential, he will score above 25 points per game multiple times in his career.

Potential Projection: Paul Pierce

Austin Rivers (SG, Duke)

Rivers has been criticized as being too trigger-happy, but there is no question that he has a smooth jump shot and an unrivaled scoring talent.

Rivers doesn't seem like he can do much more than score, but that's ultimately what the NBA is all about.

There is no player in this draft that I would rather have take the game-winning shot than Austin Rivers. His buzzer-beater against UNC earlier this year justifies my claim.

If you can score well, there will be a spot for you in the NBA, and Austin Rivers figures to have a prominent role for an NBA team in the future. Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers could pull the trigger on Rivers for his pure scoring ability.

Potential Projection: Kevin Martin/Dwyane Wade

John Henson (PF, North Carolina)

Henson was a phenomenal post defender for UNC last year, and his 2.7 blocks per game place him with the best shot-blockers in this draft class, like Anthony Davis and Fab Melo.

Henson is also a fantastic rebounder, which will certainly help him at the next level.

Henson will be an outstanding defensive big man in the NBA with a little bit of coaching and some work in the weight room.

Although he could still grow offensively, Henson isn't plagued by the attitude problems that Andre Drummond has, which makes it more likely that he will reach his potential. Henson might find himself in the hands of the Boston Celtics, who could groom him behind Kevin Garnett, or with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he would learn behind Elton Brand for a year.

Potential Projection: Emeka Okafor/Marcus Camby with offensive skills

Arnett Moultrie (PF, Mississippi State)

This guy can flat out ball.

Moultrie has a 6'11" frame and is able to do everything that a big man can possibly do.

Moultrie has the ability to step back and hit a three, hitting eight out of his 18 attempts last season, but he is also a talented shot-blocker.

Although he needs to bulk up a little this offseason, Moultrie's combination of scoring, rebounding and defense is sure to cause problems for opponents at the next level.

Keep an eye out for Arnett Moultrie, as he has the potential to be one of the most versatile big men in recent history. Moultrie is projected to go anywhere from the middle of the lottery to the end of the first round, but look for a team like the Denver Nuggets to pull the trigger on the big man out of Mississippi State.

Potential Projection: Chris Bosh

Moe Harkless (SF, St. John's)

Moe Harkless is a fantastic small forward who has a knack for getting to the free-throw line.

He is going to be something special at the next level because of his aggressive drives to the basket.

Harkless is an above-average scorer with superb athleticism, and, if he can use his abilities to his advantage, he could be a perennial All-Star down the road.

Harkless will be taken by a team like the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Clippers, who need youth at the small forward position.

Potential Projection: Carmelo Anthony/Paul Pierce

Quincy Miller (SF, Baylor)

If Quincy Miller had not torn his ACL in his high-school career, his potential would be even higher than it is now.

Miller has great shooting touch and the height and hustle necessary to be an effective rebounder.

His ability to hit shots from both the outside and the inside for the Baylor Bears will ensure that whoever selects him will be rewarded with a great shooter who works hard.

Miller is projected to be drafted around the middle of the first round, and a team like Orlando or Boston may end up with the Baylor forward on draft night.

Potential Projection: Danny Granger

Anthony Davis (PF, Kentucky)

You didn't think I'd forgotten the Unibrow, did you?

Although Anthony Davis is universally known for his unbelievable shot-blocking ability, he seems to be able to do almost everything on the court.

Davis is an excellent rebounder with jaw-dropping length and athleticism, and he can handle the ball like the guard he used to be.

There's no doubt that Davis will be selected first overall; the question is, who will get the first overall pick?

Although he's not as polished on the offensive side of the ball, Davis has the drive to get better and will improve upon his post moves. If he can do that, he will certainly be a Hall of Famer at the end of his career.

Potential Projection: Hakeem Olajuwon/Dikembe Mutombo