2012 NBA Mock Draft: Where Will Top Tournament Stars Land
Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson both became 2012 NCAA Tournament stars in front of our very eyes last March as they each led their storied college basketball programs to the National Championship Game.
Their play was rewarded with national recognition and of course boosted stock for this summer's 2012 NBA draft. Both Davis and Robinson are projected to go somewhere in the Top 5 this June, but only one can be No. 1.
Davis promises to go first overall to the New Orleans Hornets, who may have saved their franchise after winning the NBA Draft Lottery last month and the first overall pick in June 28's draft, essentially securing Anthony Davis.
So, where will the other tournament stars land? Take a look at my latest 2012 NBA Mock Draft.
*2012 NBA draft order courtesy of NBA.com.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Anthony Davis was a beast throughout the 2012 NCAA Tournament, using his length and athleticism to finish alley-oops and swat shots from every angle. Davis also demonstrated great poise under pressure for a freshman; he never looked rattled.
Davis will bring a unique presence to the paint for the Hornets. His body frame doesn't scream physical player, but his length will certainly make him one of the league's newest intimidating figures.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
The way Michael Kidd-Gilchrist attacks the rim is what sets him apart from the other Top 5 prospects in this summer's draft.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, Florida
Bradley Beal led the Gators to the Elite 8 of the 2012 NCAA Tournament with his strong outside shooting and ability to rebound against bigger bodies in traffic.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Kansas' Thomas Robinson was sensational for the Jayhawks during their improbable NCAA Tournament run last March, leading them in scoring and rebounding in the process of helping lift them into the National Championship Game.
As a 6'9" power forward, Robinson is a little undersized for the NBA, but anyone who watched him last season in Lawrence, understands how hard he plays and how consistent his motor is.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut
Andre Drummond has all of the physical attributes to be great, but his desire must catch up.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Tyler Zeller runs the floor better than any big man available this year, which is why Portland will take him with their pick that could have been Brooklyn's had it landed in the Top 3 on Draft Lottery night.
7. Golden State Warriors: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Terrence Jones was key on the glass for Kentucky during their National Championship run last spring. The Golden State Warriors sure could use his length and versatility in their lineup as they move to San Francisco next season.
8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes came up very small for the Tar Heels in the NCAA Tournament, struggling to hit his jump shot, but plenty of NBA teams still love his potential, including the Raptors.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie has sleeper written all over him. He can shoot from outside and rebound with the best prospects available this June.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, Weber State
Regarded by many as the best point guard out there this summer, Weber State's Damian Lillard is a scoring playmaker who will hold his own instantly upon entering the NBA.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Considering that the Blazers need a point guard to replace the disappointing Raymond Felton, they will likely jump at the chance to take a passer as polished as UNC's Kendall Marshall.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Jared Sullinger stepped up his game mightily during the 2012 NCAA Tournament last spring, and led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Final Four for the first time since 2007, when Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. were starring for Thad Matta.
Sullinger's greatest asset as an NBA big man will be his excellent low post game and his strength on the backboard, where he can box out anyone, similar to Minnesota's Kevin Love.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
UConn's Jeremy Lamb is freakishly long for a shooting guard, and can light it up on offense as well as defense.
14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, North Carolina
The Rockets need to get bigger and North Carolina's John Henson is just that, big.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Perry Jones III, Baylor
Baylor's Perry Jones is just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. Considering that, he will likely fall out of the lottery by draft night.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Ross, Washington
Washington's Terrence Ross is another perimeter player with NBA size who does a lot of things well, but nothing phenomenal. Ross can shoot with range and drive when the opportunity is there; Houston should like that.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Quincy Miller, Baylor
The Dallas Mavericks looked incredibly old in their brutal first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs this spring. Baylor's Quincy Miller would provide them with a young and athletic swingman who could make plays similar to those of Shawn Marion.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Austin Rivers, Duke
Austin Rivers' collapse at the free throw line in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament showed just how much more maturing he has left to do.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Based on the reality that Dwight Howard may not be calling Orlando home for much longer, the Magic will likely pounce on Illinois' Meyers Leonard and the plethora of potential he brings to the table.
20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Although many mocks around the nation have Syracuse sixth man Dion Waiters going in the lottery and as high as No. 8 to the Toronto Raptors, I feel as if some teams will be turned off by his lack of playing time for Jim Boeheim in college.
Waiters was superb for Boeheim and the Orange during the NCAA tourney, and led them to the Elite 8 before falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Waiters averaged 12.6 points per game for Syracuse in just over 24 minutes of court time on average last season; he didn't play at all during his freshman year.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Andrew Nicholson has a game that would fit right in with what the Boston Celtics like to do.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State
Everyone has warned of the risk involved with drafting Iowa State's Royce White, but most experts still think he has first-round potential. The X-factor is finding a franchise and coach that can maximize White's talent; Doc Rivers is that coach.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr, Washington
Jeff Teague is not the be-all and end-all for the Atlanta Hawks at point guard. He is just good enough to get them into the playoffs year in and year out, but not talented enough to take them to the next level. Washington's Tony Wroten Jr. has shown flashes of greatness in the past with the Huskies.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's
Experts love Moe Harkless' potential to develop into an NBA stud, so he will definitely hear his name called in the first round this June.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Kentucky's Doron Lamb starred for the Wildcats in the 2012 NCAA Tournament as a sensational outside shooter capable of hitting big shot after big shot. Lamb hit more than 46 percent from beyond the arc in 40 games with Kentucky last season.
He could easily hold his own as an NBA shooting guard at 6'5", and with a clean handle he has a solid base of skills to build on.
26. Indiana Pacers: Evan Fournier, France
Without a doubt the best European player available in this year's draft is Evan Fournier, a 19-year-old, 6'7" shooting guard with smooth scoring ability.
27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse
Fab Melo won't bring an offensive punch to the Heat's front court, but he doesn't have to since they already have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Melo can swat shots and finish any misses at the rim.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
Draymond Green is an intelligent pick for the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Green can lead an offense and run a fastbreak like a point guard, but also battle in the paint and rebound like a power forward.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt's John Jenkins is a quick-release shooter with dead-eye range from well beyond the NBA three-point line. That's something that should interest the Chicago Bulls, who love to surround Derrick Rose and their bigs with knock-down shooters.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Scott Machado, Iona
Iona's Scott Machado averaged nearly 10 assists per game last season, and flew under the radar despite shooting better than 40 percent from beyond the arc as well.
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