NBA Draft 2012: 7 Players Who Will Last Past No. 20 and Surprise in the NBA

With only 14 days remaining until the 2012 NBA Draft, mock drafts are flying left and right, and fans continue to speculate about players' potential futures in the league.

The media focuses tightly on the top 10 picks, but this year's draft has been described as "potentially one of the deepest drafts in the past 10 years."

Let's take a look at seven players who will go after No. 20 and have a major impact on the NBA.

**I chose NBADraft.net as my source for mock draft observations used in this slideshow**

Darius Miller: SF, Kentucky

I'm going out on a limb here, as Darius Miller isn't expected to be taken until much past No. 20; NBADraft.net puts Miller at No. 42.

At 6'7", Miller is far from being a flashy player, and he enters the draft overshadowed by Kentucky teammates Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Terrence Jones.

The reason I think Miller will surprise, however, is because of his laid-back demeanor, experience and responsibility on the court.

Miller is one of the few seniors in this year's draft class. As B/R writer Ben Shapiro writes, the older players are almost seen as having red flags in today's draft scenarios.

The Kentucky native didn't get his opportunity to shine behind three other big-market guys, but he will easily make the transition to the big leagues and bring his extra years of experience with him.

John Jenkins: SG, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins doesn't possess the speed or athleticism to immediately land a starting position in the NBA.

However, he is the type of impact player that will surprise fans by coming off the bench and putting up an impressive shooting percentage.

The 6'4" shooting guard has a jump shot as pretty as any you've seen in the college game, and NBADraft.net describes it this way:

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"[Jenkins] has a natural, fundamentally sound jumper that allows him to be nearly equally effective spotting up, coming off screens, and off the dribble."

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He's slated to go to Chicago at No. 29, which is a feasible prediction. Jenkins would do well coming in to relieve Richard Hamilton, and he wouldn't be in a position where he's expected to do everything.

Draymond Green: SF/PF, Michigan State

Admittedly, 22-year-old Draymond Green doesn't stand out in one specific area; consequently, he won't go in the top 20.

He is a big body, though, and he's aggressive on the floor. He doesn't shy away from large opponents, and he uses his 236-pound frame to his advantage.

As a senior, Green's leadership and more extensive experience should be noted, as it will make his transition to the pros smoother and easier for teams to work with.

Fab Melo: C, Syracuse

With a name like Fab Melo, how can this guy not do well in the league?

In all seriousness though, Melo will have a huge impact on whichever team he lands on—especially defensively.

Melo stands at 7'0", and his wingspan is three inches wider. He was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year during his sophomore season with Syracuse.

He struggles offensively, averaging less than eight points a game in 2011-12, but defensively he averaged three blocks per game.

If Melo can continue to keep up his defensive prowess in the NBA, teams will certainly not mind the lower point totals.

Royce White: SF, Iowa State

At 6'8" and 261 pounds, Iowa State's Royce White is listed on NBADraft.net as the fourth-best small forward in the class. His size and frame make him an aggressive athlete that's excellent at driving inside the lane.

Despite his large size, White possesses a controlled dribble and efficient passing skills. Last season at Iowa, White averaged 13 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

So why is White listed only at No. 24?

With as high of a reward as the young player could bring, he carries an equally large risk. White was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in high school, and the situation carries with it a number of concerns, including a fear of flying.

Being someone who deals with an anxiety disorder myself, I find it easier to control when involved in a consistent community and when one wants something bad enough. Taking this into consideration, I believe White will overcome the adversity and be a huge asset to whichever team he lands on.

Khris Middleton: SG/SF, Texas A&M

Projected by NBADraft.net to go to Oklahoma City at No. 28, Khris Middleton shows potential for growth in a lot of areas.

During the 2011-12 season at A&M, Middleton averaged 13.2 points and five rebounds per game.

He's not yet cut out to be a starter, but in the right environment, Middleton will thrive. His shooting percentage is a bit low at just over 41 percent, but he also possesses the defensive capabilities to "justify" his struggles on offense.

If Middleton can land on a team that doesn't ask him to be a No. 1 scorer, he will quietly grab steals and rebounds as a complementary piece.

Kendall Marshall: PG, North Carolina

According to NBADraft.net's mock draft, North Carolina's Kendall Marshall is slated to go around pick No. 19.

I actually think he'll go a few picks lower, mainly because he lacks the athleticism that some of the other guys predicted to go around him possess.

This fact combined with his low scoring abilities will drop him to the low 20s.

However, Marshall will transition well to the pros and surprise with his court leadership and ability to maneuver through defenses.

NBADraft.net describes Marshall as "the best college passer in years" and gives him an overall score of 93.

He's also ranked as the No. 2 PG in this year's draft.

Watch out, NBA fans. Marshall's comin' to town.