NBA Draft 2012: Underrated Forwards Who Will Explode at Next Level

The 2012 NBA Draft field is littered with superstars and lesser-known, underrated players primed for NBA glory.

Everyone knows the superstars. Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes are all household names by now. But what about the other guys?

This year's draft pool is much deeper than usual. Quality players will be available late in the first round and into the second round.

Power forward is perhaps the deepest position in the draft this year. Small forward and center is not as deep, but still wrought with quality players.

Let's take a look at four underrated forwards primed for success in the NBA.

Royce White, PF, Iowa State

White averaged 13.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season for the Cyclones. Defensively, he blocked almost one shot per game and stole just over one pass per contest.

He was arguably college basketball's most versatile presence last season.

A 6'8'', 270-pound player does not make you think of a capable ball-handler with a solid mid-range game. It makes you think of a space-eater in the paint who carves out territory with his wide hips.

White does both.

He facilitates offense with his surprising vision, and handles the ball well enough to bring the ball up the court on his own. He can step out to 15-feet and knock down an open look, drive by his opponent or back his man down.

White's skills translate to the next level without a doubt. He is skilled, experienced and incredibly unique.

He will cause matchup problems for NBA coaches for years to come.

Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Xavier coach Chris Mack had this to say about Nicholson after the Bonnies defeated his team in the Atlantic-10 conference championship game.

"

He is an NBA player. Man, is he good. We had a really good plan that we were able to execute in game one. He out-executed our plan. He's extremely long, he's skilled, he's unselfish, a poor man's Tim Duncan, by far the best player in our league and an NBA team needs to take him in the first round.

"

A poor man's Tim Duncan? Any comparison to, arguably, the greatest power forward in NBA history is extremely high praise.

Nicholson averaged 18.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and one assist per game this past season. He also blocked two shots per game. 

Mack hit the nail on the head. Nicholson is a sure-fire NBA talent who should be taken in the first round of this year's draft.

Whether he will, or not, remains to be seen.

Nicholson's high motor and offensive repertoire will pay major dividends for one lucky NBA franchise. He is strong with his back to the basket but can extend the defense past the three-point line.

He is confident on offense, aware of his strengths and smart enough to use them in the best way possible.

Nicholson's length and sound frame of mind will turn him into one of the best two-way forwards in this rookie class. He does not have the college pedigree of a Robinson or Drummond, but he should not be overlooked.

Talent is talent, and Nicholson has it all.

Draymond Green, PF/SF, Michigan State

Green is overlooked because of his 'tweener' size and for lacking one standout skill, but teams should not underrate Green's strengths.

He will be, at the least, an outstanding glue guy for an NBA team.

Green does not have superstar upside. He has reached his peak as a player, and NBA teams know what they are getting. That makes him less appealing than other boom-or-bust prospects.

In Green's case, getting what you see is not a bad thing. He averaged 16.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and one block per game last year. He possesses a rare skill set for his size.

Green is not an outstanding scorer, but he knows how to put himself in good position. He is a dangerous mid-range shooter with a crafty low-post game.

Defensively, Green is usually smaller than his opponent. He's also usually smarter.

Green uses his leadership and basketball IQ to outsmart opponents, and compete on the defensive end.

Every team needs leadership and Green will provide that from day one. His game may take a little bit of time to adapt the NBA's speed, but Green will be a solid value early in the second round.

Think Brandon Bass with better intangibles, when you think of Green. He will never be a star, but consistency will always be a part of Green's package.

Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

Jones reminds me of Paul Millsap, if Millsap had three-point range. Jones shares Millsap's nose for the glass and passion on the defensive end.

He will become a defensive specialist with a flare for double-digit rebound performances in the NBA.

Jones is a bit undersized (6'8''), but he has excellent anticipation and basketball instincts. He reads the ball out of the shooter's hand and has excellent judgment.

Offensively, Jones is a gritty, low-post scorer also capable of hurting opponents from the perimeter. He shot less than 30-percent from beyond the arc this past season, but did average one three per contest.

Jones will be on the board in the second round. Any team seeking a skilled, experienced forward with relentless energy on the offensive, and defensive glass should scoop him up.

With time to develop, Jones' offensive game could develop nicely. His nose for the basketball does not need to develop, and that will hold him over in the meantime.