2012 NBA Mock Draft: Big Men Who Will Average Double-Doubles as Pros

The NBA’s elite big men record double-doubles nearly every time they step on the floor, and a few players in this year’s draft have the potential to do the same.

These prospects will be fixtures in the starting lineup for whichever teams drafts them, and many will go on to be All-Stars. 

Here are my predictions for every first-round pick, highlighting big men who can score and rebound at an elite level.

Note: These players are in italics.

1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Antony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is the unquestioned No. 1 prospect in this draft, and he deserves it.

At 6’11” with a 7’3” wingspan, he has the length to complement his quickness and athleticism. This allows him to be extremely effective on the glass, and he averaged 10.4 rebounds per game at Kentucky. 

He may be known mostly for his defensive skills, but his offensive game is nothing to sneer at. He will need to continue to improve, but he flashed a nice jump-hook and showed that he can step out for mid-range jumpers. 

Davis is a natural rebounder and will have no problem grabbing 10 boards per game for New Orleans. The offensive output may not come right away, but it won’t be long before he becomes a reliable scorer.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The first two picks in the draft will be a testament to John Calipari’s recruiting skills.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a destructive defender on the perimeter and has a nonstop motor. He will make an impact for the Bobcats immediately with his hustle on the defensive end of the floor.

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is an electric scorer who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court.

He put up 14.8 points for the Gators last year, but also grabbed 6.7 rebounds. He is one of the best rebounding guards in the draft; his ability to score at will and chip in to do the little things will be a huge help to Washington going forward.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Andre Drummond, PF/C, Connecticut 

Drummond is one of the riskier picks at the top of the draft, but undoubtedly has the potential to be average a double-double.

The UConn center has an NBA body at 6’11”, and he is very athletic for his size.

His stats were underwhelming at 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last year, but Drummond has yet to fully mature as a player.

Once he does, his quickness, leaping ability and skills on the perimeter will make him a force on offense and on the glass.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson is best rebounder in the draft. He pulled down 11.9 boards per game for the Jayhawks last season. 

He is physical, and at 6’9” and 237 pounds, he can really bang down low.

While Robinson’s best attribute is his rebounding, he has the ability to score at a high level. His 17.7 points per game carried Kansas last season.

Of all the big men in the draft, he is the safest bet to average a double-double in his rookie year.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Lillard will definitely become the most successful Weber State draft pick, but that sells his true potential short.

Despite going to a small school, he has the potential to make a big impact in the NBA. His 24.5 points per game this past season show how potent a scorer he really is.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes has few weak spots in his game. He is a very good defender on the perimeter, has one of the best mid-range games of any prospect and has a high basketball IQ. 

He doesn’t do many things great, but does everything well. He will help the Warriors improve in many different areas.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Lamb extremely lanky and also has a silky-smooth jumper. He scored 17.7 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting.

Toronto needs help all over and will welcome a player like Lamb who can excel on both ends of the floor.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is an immovable object on the low block at 280 pounds.

For a player his size, he is extremely nimble and skilled. His ability to back down his defender or play facing the basket helped him put up 17.5 points per game last season. 

Sullinger has an insanely strong lower body, and this makes him a fantastic rebounder. He grabbed 9.2 boards per game for the Buckeyes in his sophomore campaign.

He is another player that will flirt with a double-double average immediately upon arrival in the NBA.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina 

Marshall’s presence would go a long way towards helping Anthony Davis develop on the offensive end.

The UNC playmaker is a pass-first guard who averaged 9.7 assists per game in 2011-12, the second-best mark in the nation. Marshall will make sure that Davis gets the ball when and where he wants it.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina 

Zeller is a true seven-footer with a soft touch and an excellent motor. 

He posted 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels last season.

Zeller may be skinnier than a typical elite rebounder, but he will bulk up once he gets to the pros. He also compensates for his lack of size with toughness.

He has a good post-up game and a nice jumper. He is the type of player who can average just over 10 points and 10 rebounds a night.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson may end up being a double-digit rebounder, but his ability to score 10 points or more a night is very much in doubt.

He will need to get bigger and get better on the perimeter if he hopes to be a force on the offensive end.

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Ross is a great athlete with deep range on his jumper.

He put up 16.4 points per game last season because of those skills. If he improves his shot selection and adds a mid-range game, he could be a lethal scorer in the pros.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Jones is a dynamic player in the open court, and the Rockets would be smart to get out and run with him on the floor.

He has great size at 6’11” and can score from anywhere. His length and athleticism also allow him to guard multiple positions.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones excels both on the perimeter and down low. He handles the ball very well and is perfect for a point forward role.

He needs to continue to find the spots on the floor that work best for him, and if his offensive game matures, he’ll be a solid NBA player.

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi

Moultrie has the size and athleticism to be the last big man off the board with double-double potential.

He looks like a great NBA big man with his 6’11”, 225-pound frame. He has solid low-post skills and a very good perimeter game for a power forward.

However, he will need to assert himself more down low if he hopes to establish himself as one of the league’s best.

Moultrie has all the tools to be an elite rebounder and a good scorer. It may take a couple of years for him to develop, but he has plenty of potential.

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard lacks an offensive game, but he defends and rebounds very well.

He may not ever be the player Tyson Chandler is, but he can help Dallas fill the void left by Defensive Player of the Year.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers is extremely talented, and the Timberwolves would love to take him this late in the first round. 

He has one of the nastiest crossover moves of any recent prospects and can score from anywhere on the floor. If he can play to his potential, Minnesota will be a very good team going forward.

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse 

If Dwight Howard leaves Orlando, Melo will have impossible expectations to live up to.

He will never be the player that Howard is, but Melo is big, strong and athletic, and he protects the rim.

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters will slide in the draft due to a lack of a perimeter game, but the shooting guard can still provide energy and offense off the bench.

He loves to create contact when driving to the hoop, and he will be a welcomed addition to a deep Denver squad.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

The aging Celtics need to add athletic players, and Harkless can be explosive at times.

Harkless would be one of the few players on the Boston roster who can keep up with Rajon Rondo on a fast break. The All-Star point guard would love to dish to Harkless and let him finish at the rim.

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins’ super-quick release will remind Boston fans of Ray Allen’s jumper.

The Vanderbilt star averaged 19.9 points per game last season, and while he is not the caliber of player Allen was coming out of college, he can be a nice player off the bench. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Evan Fournier, SG, France

These late first-round picks are great opportunities to add depth, and Fournier would provide Atlanta with a big guard who can come in as a substitute and score.

He is 6’7” and has a polished offensive game. He also shoots at a high percentage, making 55 percent of his shots for Poiters, his French club, this past season.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is versatile and athletic, but struggled to establish himself at Baylor, as he is a very similar player to Perry Jones III.

With little competition on the wing in Cleveland, it may be the perfect situation for him to thrive.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington 

Memphis could use a spark off the bench at guard due to O.J. Mayo’s inconsistency.

Wroten, Jr. is not nearly as potent a scorer as Mayo, but he is less of a hit-or-miss type of player due to his passing ability.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson may be one this year’s sleepers. He is a small-school prospect who has a great offensive game.

He spent all four years in school and never averaged 18.5 points per game this past season. He can score from anywhere on the floor and could be a great option to give David West some rest.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Chris Bosh’s injury showed how badly the Heat needs to get bigger. Ezeli may not be very good offensively, but he is big and can be a force in the paint. 

He can come in for a few minutes each game and establish a presence down low. Miami would greatly benefit from a player like him.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Royce White, Small Forward, Iowa State 

White is a talented scorer with a checkered past. He had character issues, which caused him to change schools. 

He has the potential to be a solid NBA player if he can stay focused. Oklahoma City has the fewest distractions of any city in the league, so if he has a chance anywhere, it will be with the Thunder.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague and Derrick Rose were both coached by John Calipari, and the Kentucky prospect would be an ideal candidate to back up the star point guard.

Teague is very talented, and learning under Rose will be a great opportunity for him.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State 

Green is not a great athlete, but he is a very smart player who can do a little bit of everything.

He’s too small to be a post player and too slow to play on the perimeter, but he can score and make plays for his teammates.