NBA Draft 2012: Latest Reports Regarding Top 10 Prospects

The 2012 NBA draft is nearing, and mock drafts are appearing almost everywhere you look.  The projected top 10 picks for this year's draft are strong, and it is supposed to be one of the best drafts in the past few years.

There are constant updates for each of the top prospects and reasons why or why not they should be drafted in their respective projected positions.

Here are my top 10 prospects and the latest reports regarding their draft statuses and skill sets.

10. Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois—New Orleans Hornets

Meyers Leonard may be a stretch at No. 10, but he could end up even going ninth to the Pistons.  Reports show that Leonard has been working his way up the draft boards and is almost a lock to be a lottery pick.

Leonard will be a solid big man coming off the bench for any NBA team.  He averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 boards a game as a sophomore for Illinois.

Many people in Champaign believe that the center didn't play up to his potential at Illinois and sometimes disappeared in crucial situations.  His post moves have room for improvement, and he has incredible potential with his strength and size.

He has recently moved ahead of Tyler Zeller on many experts' draft boards and has a workout with the Detroit Pistons next Monday.  If the big man does well enough, he could be going to the Pistons.

9. John Henson, PF, North Carolina—Detroit Pistons

Although Meyers Leonard is a stretch for the Pistons at No. 9, Henson appears to be the clear favorite to be a Detroit Piston with their first-round pick.

Henson is a lanky power forward who seems to be lacking strength.  This could be a problem if he is playing next to center Greg Monroe, who already has strength problems of his own.

This is a safe pick for the Pistons because Henson is a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and he can score as well.  The Pistons can never get enough defense, something they haven't excelled in since Ben Wallace's first run with the team.

Henson averaged 13.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as a junior last season.  He has the shot-blocking potential and the rebounding prowess to bring the Pistons back to elite defensive status.

8. Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut—Toronto Raptors

Jeremy Lamb was supposed to have a great year and lead Connecticut back to the Final Four in 2011-2012, but that didn't all pan out.  The Huskies didn't live up to expectations, but Lamb still had a solid season, averaging 17.7 points and five rebounds per game.

The Toronto Raptors could use all the help they can get on offense, and Lamb would be a perfect fit for them.  He is a lanky, athletic scoring guard who can create his own offense.  The Raptors could use more athleticism, and Lamb could be a solid sixth man for Toronto, backing up DeMar DeRozan.

Some reports have Lamb dropping all the way to No. 13 to the Phoenix Suns, who could use a shooting guard because Shannon Brown could be signing elsewhere very soon.  Lamb has too much athleticism and scoring ability to leave him out of the top 10, and the Raptors seem to be a good fit.

In his latest workout for the Toronto Raptors last Thursday, Lamb injured his ankle, and that caused him to cut his pre-draft workout short.  This should have little to no effect on his draft status.

7. Jared Sullinger, C, Ohio State—Golden State Warriors

Jared Sullinger could quite possibly be a hit or miss in the NBA.  The Golden State Warriors are looking to add size, and Sullinger might be their man.

At 6'9", Sullinger is an undersized center who lacks the athleticism to make him an elite NBA center.  He may have to change positions and improve his speed and quickness if he wants to make it at the next level.  There are many questions surrounding the big man.

Recently, Sullinger has been dropping on many draft boards, though.  He has been medical red-flagged by doctors who conducted a series of medical tests at last week's NBA draft combine.  His history of back spasms seems to have resurfaced, and this could spell trouble for the Ohio State big man.

6. Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut—Portland Trail Blazers

Drummond is the one guy in the draft who no one can predict.  He has an unproven track record, but he has the gift of size and the potential that many NBA owners are salivating over.

The 19-year-old is 6'11" with a 7'6" wingspan.  This is an imposing size that any NBA team could use.  Drummond needs to impress in his pre-draft workouts if he wants to find himself selected No. 6 by the Trailblazers, who desperately need a big man.

Although he only averaged 10 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a freshman, he can be a potential star in the NBA.

Drummond is considered by many to be a risk at the No. 6 pick, but the Trail Blazers will most likely take a chance on the young center and try to develop him into one of the league's best big men.

5. Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina—Sacramento Kings

Harrison Barnes is easily the second-best small forward in this year's draft and could possibly go as high as No. 3 to the Washington Wizards.

Barnes came out of high school two years ago as the nation's top recruit and never really lived up to the expectations that were bestowed upon him.  He did, however, lead the Tar Heels in scoring last season as a sophomore and showed he has the scoring ability to make him a top five pick.

He has the potential to be a star and the scoring ability to solidify himself in the league.

He has a workout scheduled on Tuesday with the Washington Wizards, but seems to be a lock at the No. 5 pick to the Kings, a team that could use a scorer.

4. Bradley Beal, SG, Florida—Cleveland Cavaliers

Bradley Beal is the best shooting guard in the draft—hands down.  He has a solid jump shot, shooting 54 percent last season from inside the arc, but could use some work on his three-point shot.

He stands at a solid 6'5" and averaged 14.8 points as a freshman for Florida.  He is an athletic shooting guard who can create for himself and others.  He also possesses the ability to rebound, grabbing 6.7 boards per game last season.

His stock has continued to rise, and some projections have him going as high as No. 2 to the Bobcats. 

Many teams are impressed with his strength and his ability to rebound at his position.  He led all guards in the six major conferences in rebounding.  Beal could be a steal for the Cavs at No. 4.

3. Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas—Washington Wizards

Thomas Robinson is a solidified top three pick.  Robinson has been projected to either go No. 2 to the Bobcats or No. 3 to the Wizards.  I see the Bobcats taking a more athletic wingman instead of a big man, even though they hoped to get Anthony Davis.

The Wizards seem to be the favorite to land the star power forward from Kansas who was a finalist for Player of the Year in 2012.  He averaged a gaudy 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds as a junior in his first role playing consistent minutes for the Jayhawks.

Robinson has been compared to Al Horford, but I see him becoming more of a superstar in the NBA.  Although he is only 6'9", he has a great basketball I.Q. and athletic ability to put him over the top.

Robinson led an unproven Kansas squad deep in to March last year and proved himself as a top player.  He will make an immediate impact to whichever team decides to draft him.

 

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky—Charlotte Bobcats

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the second-best player to come out of Kentucky in this year's draft.  He is also the best small forward in the draft.

Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the NCAA Champion Kentucky Wildcats as a freshman last season.  He decided to leave the school after one season—and why not? His draft status sky-rocketed to No. 2.

He has been compared to Andre Iguodala, and with a 6'7", 233-pound frame, there is no reason that this athletic wingman can't be as good or even better than advertised.

He has the ability to score and showed that he has the ability to win.  The Bobcats will likely draft the young phenom, and he will be the building block of the struggling, rebuilding franchise.  Michael Jordan would love to have Kidd-Gilchrist sport the orange next season.

1. Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky—New Orleans Hornets

Her's the only no-brainer in the entire draft.  Anthony Davis is a lock at the No. 1 overall pick to the New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets were fortunate enough to stumble upon the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery, and it's very clear that they will draft Davis.

He is going to be the centerpiece of the franchise and a huge help to a team that needs it.  Although the Bobcats needed him a bit more, the Hornets will be delighted to bring the power forward in.

Davis has a 6'11" frame and shot-blocking ability to go with it.  He averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and nearly five blocks per game as a freshman last season for Kentucky.  He will be an All-Star this season and a superstar before you know it.  This is just what the Hornets needed.