NBA Draft 2012: Top Prospects with Rookie of the Year Potential

The 2012 NBA draft, just like every draft in the past, is filled with players of varying levels of readiness to compete at the professional level. Some are incredibly raw and require years of development, others are ready to be decent players during the beginning of their careers before turning into solid contributors, but others still are prepared to dominate from year one. 

These are the ones who fall into that last category and are ready to compete for the right to succeed Kyrie Irving as the Rookie of the Year. 

Anthony Davis

If any of you are surprised at the inclusion of Anthony Davis, then shame on you. 

The Unibrow is the No. 1 prospect on every big board for good reason. His shot-blocking skills are otherworldly and the rest of his defensive game isn't too shabby. Davis has the ability to come in and be a game-changing defender the very first time he steps onto the court at the NBA level. 

Although Davis' skills on offense are severely underrated, that side of the court is the only thing that can keep him from becoming the Rookie of the Year. 

Bradley Beal

The best shooting guard available in this draft class, Bradley Beal is a near lock to go in the top four picks, even if he most certainly won't be taken by the New Orleans Hornets. 

Regardless of where Beal ends up playing as a rookie, he'll be relied upon heavily as a major contributor on offense. The Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers—especially the Cleveland Cavaliers—could all use significant upgrades at the position Beal plays. 

With a jumper to die for, even if he did struggle from the perimeter at Florida, and great slashing skills, Beal is an all-around player on the glamorous part of the court. With maturity beyond his years and rebounding abilities beyond his height, Beal will make a significant impact as a rookie.  

Thomas Robinson

No player in this draft class is more ready for the next level than Thomas Robinson. 

After becoming a walking, talking, sleeping, eating, breathing double-double machine during his final year with the Kansas Jayhawks, Robinson is about to do the same thing in The Association. It may take a few games for him to break the 10-point and 10-rebound barriers in the same game, but once the seal is broken, the double-doubles won't stop flowing in. 

Robinson is all about the physical tools, preferring to bull through defenders instead of finessing his way around them. The power forward has an overwhelming abundance of strength, quickness, athleticism and explosiveness to go along with his Energizer Bunny-like motor. 

As NBA-ready as Robinson may be though, I do question his elite-level upside. 

Damian Lillard

Kendall Marshall may be the best passing point guard in the 2012 draft class, but Damian Lillard is much more well-rounded and built to make an immediate impact in the NBA. 

Lillard's stock has been on the rise for quite some time now and he's now almost certain to go in the Top 10. It won't take long for him to justify the inevitable selection, which could be as soon as the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 6. 

An athletic 6'2" floor general, the former Weber State standout is an elite scorer and can get his points in a variety of ways, whether it's pulling up from downtown or putting his head down and driving through contact to the rim. 

Also working in his favor is Lillard's familiarity with pick-and-rolls. He used them often and to great success while playing at the collegiate level. He'll continue to do so with his new NBA team. 

Jeremy Lamb

If Jeremy Lamb can convince himself that basketball is his future and he wants to be the best player he can be, he has the potential to be the best player in this draft class. The former Connecticut Husky's offensive game is that good. 

Lamb is a 6'5" shooting guard with the wingspan, athleticism and explosiveness necessary to shift over to small forward when teams decide to play small ball. Shooting guard is and will continue to be his primary position though. 

He'll likely benefit from the more organized offense of the NBA as Lamb tended to look disinterested whenever he didn't have the ball in his hands and Connecticut was running isolation plays for his teammates. 

Because of his skill shooting of the ball and handling it, Lamb can score in a variety of ways. He can become an off-ball scorer or he can continue to utilize the best pull-up jumper off the dribble available in this draft.