NBA Draft 2012: 5 Prospects with the Most Ridiculous Crossovers

When two players are competing face to face, one with the ball looking to score and the other defending, sometimes one simple bounce of the basketball makes all the difference.

The crossover dribble is and always has been the go-to move for offensive players on the attack.

Allen Iverson was as talented as anyone attacking the basket, but at just 6', he relied heavily on his crossover to generate space between him and his defender and create his own shot. As much as Iverson despised talking about practice, he loved breaking opponents' ankles in the game.

In today's NBA, Dwyane Wade has one of the most efficient crossovers in the game, but while Wade often uses the move to weave his way to the basket, other times he uses it to create space for a step-back jump shot.

The 2012 NBA draft is sure to produce a variety of both attackers and shooters who utilize the crossover dribble regularly. With the draft now just one day away, let's take a look at the five prospects with the most ridiculous crossovers.

5) Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Shooting Guard, 6'5" 179 Pounds, Connecticut (SO)

During his two years at Connecticut, Lamb demonstrated a very natural ability to score the basketball. He made it look so effortless that, at times, he appeared almost disinterested.

On top of having great size for a guard, Lamb's 6'11" wingspan allows him to be an incredibly versatile offensive player capable of rising up and shooting over smaller defenders. Lamb often used a smooth crossover to lead into a step-back jumper, but he's not afraid to turn a quick crossover into a relentless drive to the basket.

Although ball-handling isn't one of Lamb's biggest assets, he uses a variety of misdirection moves exceptionally well to create opportunities for himself.

Lamb: Ball-Handling on YouTube
(YouTube video from SwishScout.com)

4) Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Point Guard, 6'4" 177 Pounds, Kansas (SR)

If, for whatever reason, you want to feel old, know this—Tyshawn Taylor was born in 1990, but he's considered "old" by NBA Draft standards.

The senior point guard played 146 games for the Jayhawks, and his senior year was by far his best individual season, averaging 16.6 points and 4.8 assists per game.

Although he generated more turnovers than are desired from a point guard, Taylor has a natural crossover dribble and is a multi-dimensional offensive player with the ball in his hands. After creating space for himself, he keeps his eyes open and looks for open teammates, while also hunting his own scoring opportunities.

While his draft stock is not on the same level as the others on this list, Taylor has one of the top crossovers in the 2012 class.

Taylor: Ball-Handling on YouTube
(YouTube video from SwishScout.com)

3) Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Shooting Guard, 6'4" 221 Pounds, Syracuse (SO)

Waiters is one of the most dangerous scoring guards in this year's draft. To compare him to a current NBA player, Waiters is somewhere between Ben Gordon and Dwyane Wade.

While he's obviously not quite on D-Wade's level at this point of his development, his ability to drive to create his own shot is similar to Wade. Be patient and look for "D-Wait" to become an offensive force in a few years.

Waiters isn't fazed by physical defenders. He keeps his cool and relies on a plethora of change-of-direction moves to weave his way through traffic. Waiters has an NBA-ready game, and he uses the crossover brilliantly to pull up for a mid-range jumper or attack the rim.

Waiters: Ball-Handling on YouTube
(YouTube video from SwishScout.com)

2) Damian Lillard, Weber State

Point Guard, 6'3" 189 Pounds, Weber State (JR)

Although Lillard played his college ball at little-known Weber State University, he enters the NBA with more upside than any other point guard in the 2012 NBA draft. Albeit at a small school, Lillard's production in college cannot be ignored.

Obviously, if Lillard would have committed to a higher-profile college, his draft stock wouldn't come as nearly the surprise that it currently is to some.

As a high-scoring guard from a small school, Lillard thinks he's a similar player to Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. This year's top point guard could come off the board as early as No. 6 to the Portland Trail Blazers, but he surely won't last past Portland's second first-round pick at No. 11.

Lillard has a plethora of change-of-direction moves in his arsenal, the best of which being a deadly crossover. Despite his preference being the step-back jumper, Lillard has no fear of contact when driving to the basket.

Lillard: Ball-Handling on YouTube
(YouTube video from SwishScout.com)

1) Austin Rivers, Duke

Shooting Guard, 6'5" 203 Pounds, Duke (FR)

The highly-talented and often-debated Austin Rivers has an NBA-style game, and his elite scoring ability was certainly on display during his lone season with the Blue Devils.

Everyone remembers his unforgettable buzzer-beater to beat arch-rival North Carolina, but the reality is that Rivers thrived under pressure regularly. An exceptional shooter and versatile scorer, Rivers creates opportunities for himself because of his ball-handling skills.

Rivers has been breaking peoples' ankles since high school, and it was more of the same during his freshman season at Duke.

His textbook crossover allows him to get open three-point jump shots, as well as clears driving lanes to the basket. With the best, most ridiculous crossover in the entire 2012 draft at his disposal, Rivers will look to silence all doubters as he enters the NBA.

Rivers: Ball-Handling on YouTube
(YouTube video from SwishScout.com)