NBA Draft 2012: 3 Underrated Players Who Could Be Lottery Picks

It seems like everyone but Anthony Davis knows he's going number one in this year's NBA Draft, as he recently said that even he isn't "a lock."

But there are a few players who, despite having college careers that were obviously impressive enough to land them in the draft, were still overlooked at times this season. They could figure to be impressive players at the next level.

Here's my take on three players who could have better NBA careers than the already impressive ones they had in college.

Meyers Leonard

There are only three seven-footers projected to go in the first round of these year's draft, (Tyler Zeller, Fab Melo), and Meyers Leonard is without a doubt the best of the three.

He is quick on and off his feet and, if paired with a half-decent point guard, will figure to have plenty of ally-oops. Aside from getting his own shots, he's also a skilled passer and has proven at Illinois to be able to pass out of the double-team with ease.

On defense, he plays his opponent with his whole body and not just his hands, i.e. he plays big and doesn't just act big. He was a good shot blocker in college and knows how to be a good help defender and how to be a weak-side defender.

His high basketball IQ will make him a player that's easy to develop, and although he's already got a solid frame, he's due to add more muscle, which will only add to his dominating presence.

He probably wont go any later than the 10th pick, but kudos to whoever picks him up. They will have just found that center crucial to the rebuilding process.

Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters already had a stellar college career and certainly got a lot of attention for playing at a big program like Syracuse. But he stepped up his game in March Madness and gave doubters a reason to think twice.

He could have an even better NBA career.

Waiters has demonstrated that he can create his own shot either off the dribble or in a spot-up situation, and he knows when to pass instead of forcing the shot. He's got a high basketball IQ, too, which is something to consider, and can play through screens on defense and roll off them on offense to get his shot up.

On defense, he's crafty. He seems to always have his hands in the play and leaves his mark with deflections and steals.

This is one guy who could have an instant impact because of his NBA-ready body and his willingness to bring it on both ends of the floor. Worst case scenario, he's not instantly terrific. But he will be someday, and a few teams who passed over him will regret the decision.

Terrence Ross

Terrence Ross has a lot of the makings of an NBA superstar: great ball handling skills and footwork, amazing court vision, excels in transition and defends from all areas of the court.

Is he a little batty sometimes? Sure, but his irrational thinking is what could throw some defenders off because they won't know what he's doing next. He can stop on a dime if a weak-side defender comes, and he'll either fight through the double-team or make the pass out to the open man. Think Ginobili or Harden.

He's a proven shooter and gets up for his jump shot, which should make it difficult for smaller defenders on him in the NBA.

Even though he's projected to go pretty high, perhaps No. 11 to Portland, I think he's still one of the bigger sleepers in the draft.