NBA Draft 2012: Ranking Top Point Guard Prospects in the Incoming Rookie Class

The point guard class is weak for the 2012 NBA Draft and only three players at the position seem like sure things to go in the first round, highlight by one almost-guaranteed lottery pick. 

However, as is often the case, the position will generate a lot of attention because of how glamorous the players usually are. The top two players in these rankings will most likely have a significant impact on their new teams as rookies, while the remainder have some developing and adjusting to do first. 

More so than many other positions this year, point guards are coming from a lot of small schools. We have representatives from Long Beach State, Iona and Weber State in the top 10, as well as a foreign player. 

Read on for the top-10 point guards in the class. 

10. J'Covan Brown, Texas

Thanks to his desire to shoot any time he touches the ball, J'Covan Brown plays more like a shooting guard than a point guard, even if his 6'2" frame is going to force the latter position upon him in the NBA. 

Brown has solid passing skills but his No. 1 ability is his pull-up jumper, which he uses a bit too often for his own good. Shot selection has been and always will be an issue for Brown. 

Projected: Late 2nd Round-Undrafted

9. Casper Ware, Long Beach State

This diminutive point guard has one of the best strokes in the draft class and can light it up not only from well beyond the collegiate three-point line, but also from a ways past the NBA version. 

If Casper Ware were about four inches taller and didn't stand at just 5'10", we'd be talking about him as a lock for the first round. However, because of his size deficit, Ware's quickness and perimeter defense might just be enough to get him drafted at all. 

Projected: Late 2nd Round-Undrafted

8. Tu Holloway, Xavier

It's not height that's knocking Tu Holloway down the boards—even though he only stands 6'0" and might be Tu short to make it in the NBA—it's the fact that he showed an incredible amount of immaturity following the Cincinnati-Xavier brawl. 

Holloway is terrific at drawing contact and does a great job connecting on his foul shots. His jumper is equally deadly and he plays with great aggression. Couple that with solid defensive skills and you've got a great point guard prospect for whom the expectations are tempered due to size and potential off-court volatility. 

Projected: Late 2nd Round

7. Tomas Satoransky, Cajasol Sevilla

Although this Czech guard has played point guard in the ACB, he's more likely going to be switched over to shooting guard when he makes it to the NBA because of his 6'7" frame.

Tomas Satoransky isn't a particularly great outside shooter and he sometimes lacks the aggression needed to get his offense flowing, but he does have more than enough size and plays a very smooth, cerebral brand of basketball.

Projected: Mid-Late 2nd Round

6. Scott Machado, Iona

Scott Machado is my second-favorite point guard prospect in this year's draft class, trailing only Damian Lillard. However, expecting him to go ahead of the next four members of these rankings is a pipe dream. 

The Iona Gaels floor general is a terrific passer with nearly unmatched court vision and he's not a bad scorer by any stretch of the imagination. Although Machado isn't too explosive, he's smart enough and used to operating at a breakneck speed. 

Projected: Early-Mid 2nd Round

5. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

When you watch or root for Tyshawn Taylor, you have to be able to accept the good along with the bad. Taylor plays so quickly that he's sometimes out of control. He's going to make some incredible plays, but he'll also leave you dumbfounded about how he could possibly turn the ball over in a certain situation. 

Taylor improved a lot as a senior and was a big reason—Thomas Robinson being the other one—that the Kansas Jayhawks were able to have so much success during this past season. 

Projected: Late 1st-Early 2nd Round

4. Tony Wroten, Washington

Tony Wroten was a Pac-12 Player of the Year candidate as a freshman thanks to his athleticism, defensive presence and ability to distribute the ball among his teammates. However, he's not without his flaws. 

The combo guard has earned a reputation as a bad teammate and his jump shot is completely broken. Until he starts over and develops a consistent shot, defenders will be able to stay back and prevent any and all penetration. 

Projected: Late 1st-Early 2nd Round

3. Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Although he's already a solid defender, Marquis Teague could stand to improve just about every part of his offensive game. He came into his own during the postseason for the Kentucky Wildcats and went from being a potential weak link to a crucial championship puzzle piece. 

He still has to keep improving though. The younger brother of Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague is great in transition but his decision-making still needs a lot of work. 

Projected: Mid-Late 1st Round

2. Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall's passing ability is simply off the charts and his value to the North Carolina Tar Heels was proven when he went down with a broken wrist during March Madness. Without his facilitating skills, the powder blue offense stagnated. 

The lefty isn't a great scorer and his defense is awful, but his passing is just that good. Basically, insert whatever positive descriptor you want and it'll be fine. 

Projected: Lottery-Mid 1st Round

1. Damian Lillard, Weber State

A top-10 prospect in my book, Damian Lillard is the clear No. 1 point guard prospect in this draft class. 

Unlike Kendall Marshall, Lillard thinks of himself as a scorer first and foremost. His passing skills are more than adequate, but his well-rounded ability to call his own number stands out above his distribution. Lillard is used to running the pick-and-roll and that should serve him well as he looks to make an immediate impact on his new team. 

Projected: Lottery Pick