2012 NBA Mock Draft: Tournament Duds Who Killed Their Draft Stocks

The 2012 NCAA tournament was the last time many players got looks-over from scouts and GMs while playing in ultra-competitive environments with established teams.

Obviously, organizations will see plenty more during workouts, and the combine will give teams a chance to see the prospects again.

But a poor tournament performance definitely impacts draft stock.

Let’s take a look at some kids who did not do themselves any favors this past March.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Considering that Davis was the catalyst to a team that steamrolled its way to a national title, it’s safe to say that his stock as the consensus No. 1 overall pick is steady.

2. Washington Wizards:  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG was also a member of the national championship-winning Wildcats and made a big impact with his defense; he’s worthy of the No. 2 overall selection because of it.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

Beal’s underrated Florida team seemed to get better with each passing game. Beal seemed to come into his own during March Madness and now looks like a legit NBA star.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson willed the Jayhawks to the championship game but did not have the backup required to get past Kentucky. It was still an admirable performance that let scouts know he’s the real deal.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger wasn’t exactly excellent during the tourney, but he wasn’t awful either. The Buckeye’s sophomore season wasn’t much of an improvement from his freshman year, but he’s still a lottery pick.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond may have had the worst tournament of any potential lottery pick. He put up two points, three rebounds and four blocks before fouling out in an opening-round loss.

It definitely isn’t something scouts will forget.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III

PJIII’s Bears were able to rip off a nice run in March, but Jones wasn’t the catalyst. He’s still got some work to do to show that he has a motor to match his skills.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes is a good scorer and did that throughout his career with UNC.

It hurt that the Tar Heels missed out on Kendall Marshall for some critical games towards the end of it, and Barnes struggled to find ways to dominate by himself on offense.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie’s an athletic freak that finally figured out how to use his body and skills at Mississippi State, even though the team wasn’t that great.

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

Marshall’s injury definitely hurt the Tar Heels during the tourney, proving that his ability to facilitate the offense was crucial to UNC's success and could be so for a fortunate NBA team as well.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers should have never allowed No. 2 seed Duke to get eliminated in the first round. A true star would have found a way to will the Blue Devils to victory, and Rivers' failure to do so has some scouts concerned.

A good tournament would have boosted him into the early lottery.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller’s been around the block a few times at Chapel Hill and doesn’t have much upside, but he’s the big body that the Bucks need right now.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard’s a natural scorer that doesn’t have a defined position if he can’t prove to be a capable passer at the next level.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb is another UConn player that should have stepped up and done more in the Huskies' first-round loss in the tournament.

The knock on his game is indifference, and his performance in that contest showed precisely that.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson’s a long, athletic big that definitely has a future in this league and showed nice promise during his tournament games.

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

Jones was a veteran leader for the national champions and has a lot of hidden talent. If he can start displaying it more consistently, he’ll be a superstar.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

This shooting guard’s stock is going up as the draft draws nearer. He’s got great athleticism and an improving all-around game.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz):  Meyers Leonard, Illinois

It’s quite bad for Leonard that Illinois—traditionally a powerhouse—did not even make a single offseason tournament.

He’s just a big body that will give a few fouls a game, if he isn’t stuck in the D-League for his entire career.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller is still recovering from high school ACL surgery and has yet to regain his form completely.

He’s a wild card for now, and his workouts will determine where he is selected.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters can slash to the hoop and was part of a solid ‘Cuse team that made a nice little run—despite missing its top big man—in March.

He’s worthy of a mid-to-late first-round pick.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson shined during his brief nationally televised appearance for the Bonnies. The team wasn’t able to pull off an upset, but the PF proved he’s an NBA talent.

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

If White can prove his debilitating anxiety will not be an issue in the NBA, his stock will skyrocket.

He’s an elite talent that has a major red flag.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb might have been the second-best player for the Wildcats this March, which will help solidify his presence in the first round.

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

Harkless is extremely raw but has an extremely high ceiling.

It would be surprising if he fell this far, and it would be even more ridiculous if he does and the Cavs don't snatch him up.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Scouts haven’t seen enough of Wroten against top-flight competition, as he played in the Pac-12 and Washington did not make the tournament.

He has, perhaps, the most upside of any PG in the class, and that is why he will be off the board by the second round.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague proved that he can run a team full of young, athletic players and really push a fast break. Indiana would love to have him coming off the bench, and he meshes perfectly with the Pacers roster.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

It is hard to imagine another potential first-round pick killing his stock as much as this kid did: Melo was not allowed to participate in the tournament as a punishment from his own school.

He needed a good performance during March to prove he was worth a lofty selection.

Now the big is a major gamble.  

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

The forward had a decent tournament run and proved he cares about winning and making his teammates better. That makes him an ideal pick for OKC.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a lights-out shooter that will instantly improve the backcourt for the Bulls—especially if they remain without Derrick Rose.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is one of the best athletes in the draft and has a decent jumper to boot. He will not fall further than this.