NBA Draft 2012: Breaking Down 5 Prospects with Highest Upside

In the NBA draft, how good you are is only as significant as how good you can be. Enter the word that is equally as feared as it is respected: upside.

From LeBron James to Anthony Randolph, prospects have long been evaluated on a scale that spans from the present day to the distant future. Questions of how good they are, whether or not their abilities are sustainable and how great their pinnacle could be are nearly as important to scouts as a medical history.

So who's got game?

From the late first rounders to the could-be top picks, the list is endless when potential is brought into the conversation. But who's the potential best of the best? Who could steal the spotlight with his upside?

Here's a list of five players who fit the bill, and one day, could fit the All-Star vote.

Honorable Mention: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt Commodores

Position: Small Forward

Class: Senior

Age: 22

Height, Weight and Wingspan: 6'7", 225 pounds and 6'6" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

Jeffery Taylor is, arguably, the best athlete in this draft class. He's also the clear-cut favorite for the title of "best perimeter defender." Pair that with the fact that he can dominate in transition and finish above the rim as well as anyone coming out of college, and you have a player with true star potential.

Just imagine if his development of a consistent jump shot continues. Jeffery Taylor could be the best player in this draft class, and if you disagree, tell me why.

Elite defense. Unstoppable transition scoring. Lights out jump shot with three-point range. Freak athlete. Sounds like a star to me.

2011-2012 Season Averages

24.21 PER, 16.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 SPG

5. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'4", 215 pounds, 6'7" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

Dion Waiters has "Dwyane Wade" written all over him.

In terms of slashers, which this class is filled with as the art of the jump shot is seemingly lost, Dion Waiters might just be the best. He can penetrate off of the dribble with his right and left hand, finish with contact and even pull up for a Tony Parker-esque floater. Give him space, and he'll even throw it down with a big dunk, just like a certain Marquette alum.

As for whether or not he can reach Dwyane Wade's level, that will come with an elevated level of effort on defense and developed prowess as a shot blocker. It will also call for continued improvement on Waiters' mid-range game, which has been shaky throughout his short college career.

Dion Waiters is already on pace for greatness. Can he take it to the next level?

Season Averages

24.4 MPG, 26.29 PER, 12.6 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG

4. Tony Wroten Jr., Washington Huskies

Position: Point Guard

Class: Freshman

Age: 19

Height & Weight: 6'6", 203 pounds, 6'9" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

Tony Wroten Jr. was originally listed at 6'5", an inch taller than Kendall Marshall, the second-tallest to-be-drafted point guard prospect. After working out for scouts and general managers, however, it was confirmed that Wroten Jr. stands at 6'6".

Even bigger than expected.

His game is just as big, as he's as powerful a dribble penetrator as any 2-guard and can finish around and above the basket with the best of them. He's also a fantastic ball handler with wide-spread court vision and improving consistency on his passes.

As long as he puts the fundamentals over the flash, he should become a star in no time.

Season Averages

21.07 PER, 16.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.9 SPG

3. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'5", 179 pounds, 6'11" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

When you have a shooting guard with a 6'11" wingspan, it's not hard to imagine the possibilities. From lock-down defense to an un-guardable jump shot, consider Lamb every coach's dream at the 2.

Just don't forget about his tendency to disappear during crunch time and his inability to get to the line.

For Lamb, it's all about mentality. Should he overcome his tendency to watch the ball and begin creating opportunities without the orange in his hands, a major step will be taken towards stardom. If Lamb is able to throw away his apparent fear of contact, there will be nothing holding him back.

Jeremy Lamb has All-Star ability with a bench warmer's mentality.

 

Season Averages

22.05 PER, 17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.2 SPG

2. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears

Position: Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'11", 234 pounds, 7'2" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

A better question for Perry Jones III might be, "What can't he do?" Upon maximizing his potential, the answer is simple: nothing.

Perry Jones III is as physically gifted as any prospect since LeBron James came into the league in 2003. He has quintessential size, a massive wingspan, an ability to run the floor like a guard, a solid jump shot, developing low-post game, freak athletic ability, the versatility to play the 3 or 4...

He can do it all. The question is, will PJ3 become the master of his own abilities?

In his two years at Baylor, the greatest criticism that Jones III found was that his production never found a way to match his ability. Between his passive nature and heavy reliance on a non-contact game, the Baylor star's greatest hurdle was himself.

If Jones III topples the insurmountable task of developing a greater basketball mentality, there's no question about it: Perry Jones III will be one of the top-five players in the NBA.

Season Averages

21.95 PER, 13.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.6 SPG

1. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

Age: 19 

Height & Weight: 6'10", 219 pounds, 7'1" wingspan

How Good Can He Be?

Can you imagine if the duo of Quincy Miller and Perry Jones III had maximized their potential while at Baylor? Their Elite Eight showdown with Kentucky might have gone a little differently.

Quincy Miller's build and upside are parallel to that of a former Big 12 star who is doing rather well for himself in the NBA: Kevin Durant.

Miller is an outstanding athlete with a great size, standing at 6'10" and throwing out a 7'1" wingspan. Considering he plays the 3 and moves more than well enough to play it, that's great news for any team hoping to draft the potential steal of the year.

Although his jump shot is not nearly as developed as Durant's, the progression of the season brought out a much more consistent offensive attack from Quincy Miller. He began to knock down the shots that he was missing at the beginning of the season and played some of the most efficient basketball that you'll be able to find from a freshman.

Quincy Miller may not be a Rookie of the Year candidate, but do believe what's soon to be a known fact: if Miller ever reaches his maximum potential, the crowd of All-Star 3s will have a new name thrown into the batch.

2011-2012 Season Averages

24.4 MPG, 25.53 PER, 10.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG